Best Sumatra Coffee Brands 2022: Buying Guide, Brewing & Roasting Tips: Indonesia is one of the top coffee producers in the world, and there are strong chances that you have heard of its distinctive coffee. Sumatra, one of Indonesia’s central coffee-producing regions, is known for its distinct earthy, bold flavors and low acidity.
So how do you make sure that you buy some of Sumatra’s very best beans to offer? Don’t worry, flying to Indonesia won’t be necessary. We checked many beans to make your shopping simpler and put together this guide to the Best Six Sumatran Coffee Beans 2022. Our comprehensive reviews compare flavor, size, roast quality, and freshness to make sure you get delicious Sumatran beans.
Why Is Coffee from Sumatra Famous?
Do you know Indonesia is the fourth largest coffee producer in the world? The nation, which consists of more than 17,000 islands, produces 8 percent of the world’s coffee today. Sumatra is the world’s sixth-largest island, and one of the most popular coffee-producing regions in the country. You’ve probably heard of the other big coffee area, Java, which is so well known that people use its name with coffee interchangeably. Mandheling beans are named for the Mandailing people, a local tribe. They are regarded as the single most important beans grown in Sumatra.
Approximately 85 percent of Indonesia’s coffee beans are Robusta. These highly caffeinated but more bitter beans are not considered as high-quality as Arabica beans, making up Indonesia’s other 15 percent crop. But don’t worry: you are unlikely to end up buying Robusta beans, as most in-country beans are consumed or processed into instant coffee. Most of the beans exported are Arabica beans which are grown at higher altitudes and have a smoother, less bitter flavor.
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Sumatra Coffee Flavor
Sumatran coffee is known for its distinctive earthy, herbal flavors. These complex beans, grown in volcanic soil, produce a full-bodied, smooth coffee with hints of chocolate and a small amount of acidity.
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Low Acidity
Sumatran coffee is especially in demand because of its low acidity. This low-acid variety might be a good alternative for you if you appear to get stomach aches or headaches from coffee. It’s also better on tooth enamel, which can be weakened if you drink a lot of coffee over time. Sumatran beans are lower in acidity because of how they are processed and because they are usually dark roast, which has less acidity of course.
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Sumatra Coffee Processing
Much of the Sumatra coffee is produced from other areas in a more conventional way than the chocolate. Local farmers use a method called “gilling basah,” or wet hulling, rather than washing or dry processing the beans. To do this, just after picking, they depulp the cherries, then ferment them overnight in bags. This processing method decreases acidity within the Sumatran bean and contributes to its special, earthy taste. This also waters down subtler aromas such as fruits and florals.
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Whole Vs Ground Coffee Bean
While ground coffee is convenient, most of our mentioned coffees are the whole bean. This is because, when they’re whole, coffee beans hold flavor for longer. As soon as you grind them, beans start to lose their flavor due to oxygen contact. Hence you may want to buy whole beans for the best flavor and grind them within 15 minutes of brewing.
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Roast
Sumatran coffee beans’ earthy, chocolatey flavors work best with medium to dark roast stages. Since the more delicate flavors vanish during the process of wet hulling, the Sumatran coffee is not especially appropriate for light roasting. Instead, these beans are mostly used in espresso and other dark blends, as they stand up to intense roasting well.
Aim for beans that have been roasted as recently as possible, for the freshest-tasting coffee. You will want to check on the coffee bags you buy for roast dates and seek to drink coffee between a week and a month after the roast date.
But, you simply can’t choose a brand randomly because they are not always what they seem to be. So today, we are here to help you out with that. We will be presenting before you a list of the 5 best Sumatra coffee brands that you can rely on in 2022.
However, there is one more thing that we need to mention here. There are some crucial things that you need to pay attention to when buying Sumatra coffee. And we found it pivotal to inform you about those factors that need to be considered. So, before jumping straight to the list, we urge you to give the next section a read.
Top 5 Best Sumatra Coffee Brands 2022 with Pros & Cons
1. Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans
Our top pick from the list is the Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans. This Sumatra coffee simply has it all. We couldn’t be more impressed with the quality of this product.
It is perfectly medium-roasted and gives that earthy and herbal flavor that we all look for in Sumatran coffees. The coffee gives notes of brown sugar, spices, and chocolate that add great value to the taste factor. And when it comes to acidity, you can be sure that it is on a lower level than most coffees. So, with that being said, the health concern shouldn’t linger in your mind.
In addition to all these benefits, the manufacturers took an extra step to make the coffees certified as Fair Trade, rainforest alliance, shade-grown, and as its name suggests, 3000 feet above in volcanic soil. However, one thing we need to mention but don’t regret a bit is the price that needs to be paid. It is comparatively expensive, which we feel is quite okay based on the quality that it ensures.
2. Coffee Bean Direct Sumatra Mandheling
Our second pick is the Coffee Bean Direct Sumatra Mandheling whole bean coffee. If you want an alternative to the Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans, which is reasonably priced, we suggest you try this coffee.
First of all, the coffee is dark-roasted perfectly which gives a delicious flavor and aroma. To add to the taste, the coffee offers notes of chocolate and nuts. The combination is pretty amazing when you sip through the cup. Another great feature of the beans is the low level of acidity.
Nonetheless, by paying an affordable price, you need to let go of some factors of the coffee beans. For starters, you simply can’t expect it to replace the taste and flavor of the Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans. And then again, we found the beans to be a bit oily, which is mostly due to the dark roasting at the initial stage.
3. Cooper’s Cask Organic Dark Roast Sumatra
The third product on our list is Cooper’s Cask Organic Dark Roast Sumatra. As its name suggests, you can clearly understand that the coffee is dark roasted and is organic in nature.
It is available in both ground and whole bean states and multiple sizes. But the one we tried is whole bean coffee. And from our experience, it is pretty amazing. It gives that earthy, chocolatey, and dark cherry flavor that can give an exceptional feel to your cup of java. The manufacturers did an amazing job by keeping the product organic. So, you won’t have to worry about its health impact. In addition to that, it is also certified as Fair Trade.
But, one thing that we do not appreciate is the price. It isn’t cheap. Furthermore, the coffee beans are somewhat oily. This is mainly because of the dark roasting. So, you won’t be able to brew it for all purposes.
4. Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC Dark Sumatra Mandheling
The next choice on the list is specifically suggested to those who love dark chocolate. The Fresh Roast Coffee LLC Dark Sumatra Mandheling is a dark roasted coffee with flavorsome notes of dark chocolate and a rich and bold finish. You simply will love the coffee’s flavor and taste. But, one thing we have got to mention is that it doesn’t portray the original Mandheling flavor. So, for those of you who are expecting the Mandheling experience, this might not be the right product for you.
Nonetheless, the coffee is great. It is roasted in an environmentally friendly way and is certified to be Kosher. So, you don’t have to worry about its impact on health and the environment. And then again, the price is also very affordable compared to other products in the market.
5. AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra Ground Coffee
The final pick is one of Amazon’s own products. We have kept this product for those who don’t want to do the hassle of grinding the whole bean coffees. Although we are not a fan of pre-ground coffee, we have got to admit that this product is very good when it comes to quality. It is very fresh and flavorful. The dark roast coffee is made of Arabica beans sourced from Sumatra.
As the name suggests, the coffee is certified as USDA organic coffee and Fair Trade. Its acidity level is also low. And, a very attractive thing about this product is the budget-friendly price tag.
Nonetheless, we do have one complaint about this coffee. And, the most probable cause for it is its pre-ground state. This coffee simply doesn’t provide the best Sumatran flavor and taste.
Final Verdict: Best Sumatra Coffee
Final Words: Our Recommendation
Before reviewing the products, we had to try and test multiple coffee brands and finalize our top picks. We have tried to give an honest and comprehensive review of all the aforementioned products on the list. So, with the help of the buying guide and weighing the pros and cons, it is up to you to pick a product that best suits your preferences.
Read more about Best Gourmet Coffee Brands 2022
However, we do realize that a recommendation wouldn’t hurt your buying decisions. We are not sponsored to offer suggestions. Our main aim is to help you clear out any confusion in the decision-making process.
Overall Best Sumatra Coffee 2022
In our experience, we found the Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Coffee Beans to be the best whole bean Sumatran coffee. Its quality is unmatched by any product we have tried so far. And that clearly explains its costly price tag.
Budget Best Sumatra Coffee 2022
For those of you who are inclining more towards the affordable price range, the Coffee Bean Direct Sumatra Mandheling is a great option. Although it is on the weaker side and won’t give you the best Sumatran vibe, it is surely a bang for the buck.
Read more about Best Flavored Coffee Brands 2022
Sumatran coffee is widely available, but between brands, the quality of the beans may vary quite a little. We look forward to our comprehensive reviews of the five best Sumatran coffee brands, plus our quick Sumatran coffee bean guide, helping you find the unique, complex flavors you’re looking for. No need to take the extra hassle to choose the best out of plenty of options there in the market. Go through our review and find your favorite one, and buy with just one click from here without any issue.
Frequently Answered Questions
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What kind of coffee is Sumatra?
Sumatra is mostly Arabica coffee. The exported coffee products that you are likely to get on the market are usually made of Arabica beans. The Robusta beans are typically marketed locally in Indonesia.
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Is Sumatran Coffee low in Acidity?
Yes, Sumatran coffee is low in acidity compared to other coffee types in the market.
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Does Sumatra Coffee have more Caffeine?
No, Sumatra coffee does not have more caffeine. The coffee beans are mostly Arabica, so you will find less caffeine content in them.
