The 13 Best Sumatran Coffee Beans: Starbucks’ Favorite Indonesian Coffee

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Sumatra coffee is the secret behind Starbucks espresso’s distinct taste. Whether you’re a fan of the coffee giant or not, this exceptionally unique brew is definitely worth a try.

Dive into the world of Sumatran coffee beans and prepare for a journey unlike any other. While Ethiopian beans are known as the birthplace of coffee and Italian roasters have perfected espresso, Sumatra brings a unique, earthy twist to your cup. Ready to explore this intriguing flavor with me?

Looking for a quick guide? Here’s my straightforward shortlist, minus the fluff.

Where Does Sumatra Coffee Come From?

Sumatra coffee hails from Sumatra, Indonesia’s biggest island and the world’s sixth-largest. It’s nestled among the Sunda Islands in Western Indonesia, making it a unique spot for coffee cultivation.

Sumatra leads the way in coffee production among Indonesia’s islands, making it a giant in the coffee world. Considering Indonesia ranks fourth globally in coffee production and export, you can imagine just how much coffee Sumatra contributes to your morning cup.

Processing of Sumatran Coffee

Sumatra coffees undergo a unique wet-hulling process, enhancing their earthy tastes. This method suits Indonesia’s humid climate better than other coffee processing techniques, though it needs special equipment. Indonesia stands out as one of the rare places where wet hulling works so well on a large scale.

Here’s the basic process:

1. The coffee cherries are picked using homemade machines.
2. Immediately after picking, coffee farmers remove the skins from the coffee cherries.
3. The skinless cherries are allowed to ferment overnight in woven bags.
4. In the morning, the farmers wash the coffee beans by hand, removing any remaining fruit (mucilage). 
5. The coffee beans are laid out in their parchment in the farmer’s yard to partially dry.
6. The farmer ships the beans to a warehouse, where the parchment is completely removed and the beans are allowed to finish drying.
7. The beans are shipped to a port city where they are dried one more time before being exported.

Varieties of Sumatra Coffee

Sumatra coffee comes in four types: Mandheling, Ankola, Lintong, and Gayo/Aceh.

Mandheling

Sumatra Mandheling coffee is a big hit among Sumatran coffees, and many coffee lovers rave about it. Some even say it’s among the top specialty coffees globally, though a few think it gets more praise than it deserves. It’s named after the Mandailing tribe from Sumatra’s north. Grown at heights of 2,500 to 5,000 feet, this coffee thrives near Padang, a city in West-Central Indonesia.

This coffee variety brews up with a gentle tang, giving your cup an interesting twist. It’s famous for its warm flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom, creating a spicy taste. Plus, you’ll catch cozy hints of chocolate and licorice. Perfect for spice lovers!

Ankola

Near Pandang, there’s another beloved coffee type. What sets it apart? Its unique drying method. Unlike the usual wet process in the area, here, beans are dried in the sun. This special touch changes the taste, making the coffee smoother and less acidic. Plus, it gives the beans a consistent look. Perfect for those exploring the world of coffee!

Lintong

Nestled around Lake Toba in North-Central Indonesia, the Lintongnihuta region is famous for its unique Lintong coffee. Unlike the usual full-bodied Sumatran brews, Lintong coffee charms with a medium body and a rich flavor that leaves a clean aftertaste. When you sip a cup of Lintong, expect a delightful mix of cedar and spice notes, all while enjoying the classic earthy taste that Sumatran coffees are known for.

Gayo/Aceh

The Gayo region grows coffee beans high up, between 4,200 and 5,200 feet, making them some of the loftiest in the area!

This area is famous for its aged coffee, which is quite special. These beans are kept for months or even years before they hit the market. This aging gives the coffee a unique taste and extra depth. What makes these beans really stand out is how rare they are. Storing them for so long without them going bad is tough and costly, which is why they often come with a hefty price tag.

What Is Sumatran Coffee Like?

Explore the unique tastes, smells, and features of Sumatra coffee with us.

Is Sumatra coffee good?

Do you enjoy unique coffee flavors? Sumatran coffee might be for you! It’s known for its earthy, spicy taste, often with hints of moss and mushrooms. Some even find notes of chocolate or licorice in their cup. Dive in and explore! 

Sumatran coffee’s unique taste comes from its special wet-hulling and drying method. This process tones down the usual coffee flavors, making it stand out from the rest. Dive into its distinctiveness!

Sumatran coffees are rich and smooth, with a thick, syrupy feel. They’re also low in acidity, making them a favorite for those who enjoy a hearty cup.

Is Sumatra coffee a dark roast?

Sumatran roasters often go for a dark roast to highlight what makes their coffee special. This method emphasizes the coffee’s rich, full body without making it too acidic. So, if you love a bold and smooth cup, Sumatran dark roast is the way to go! 

Does Sumatra coffee have more caffeine?

Nope, Sumatran coffee doesn’t pack more caffeine punch than other Arabica beans—both hover around 1.5% caffeine. In the coffee world, that’s pretty standard. Robusta beans, on the other hand, are the real caffeine champs with a hefty 2.7%. So, despite what you might hear, Sumatran coffee isn’t a caffeine powerhouse.

Is Sumatra coffee good for espresso?

Definitely! Espresso often goes hand-in-hand with dark roasts, and Sumatra coffee, known for its rich dark roast, is a favorite. Starbucks, a big fan, has been mixing this coffee into their espresso for ages. In fact, they’re the top buyer of Sumatran beans, making these beans a perfect match for espresso lovers. So, if you’re into espresso, Sumatran coffee might just be your new go-to.

Best Sumatra Coffee Beans

Overall best Sumatran coffee beans: Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Reserve

Sumatra coffee, famous for its low acidity, rich taste, and full body, comes from North Central Sumatra, specifically an area called Sumatera Utara.

These beans are dark-roasted, a classic style for this region’s coffee. They have a rich, chocolatey taste with hints of earth, and leave a sweet, fruity aftertaste like brown sugar and wine-dried fruits.

Volcanica’s beans are not just any beans. They’re fair trade certified, Rain Forest Alliance approved, and shade-grown. Enjoy your coffee knowing it’s good for the planet and its people. 

Best medium roast Sumatra coffee beans: Koffee Kult Sumatra Mandheling

Dive into the unique world of Koffee Kult’s Mandheling coffee beans! Unlike the usual dark roast from Sumatra, these beans are medium-roasted, offering a fresh twist. You’ll enjoy a smooth, medium-bodied coffee with just the right touch of acidity. Prepare for a delightful sip filled with hints of syrup and baker’s chocolate, capturing the essence of this famous region.

Koffee Kult stands out because they send out their beans super fast, within 24 hours of roasting. This means you get the freshest beans possible, offering you a true taste of what Indonesian coffee is all about.

Best Sumatran peaberry coffee beans: Volcanica Sumatra Gayo Peaberry

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I love talking about peaberries. New here? Let me introduce you to these unique coffee beans you shouldn’t miss.

Most coffee cherries hold two beans, but about 5% are unique, carrying just one. This solo bean, known as a peaberry, gets all the nutrients to itself, making it denser, rounder, and more flavorful than its two-bean siblings. It’s a special kind of coffee bean that stands out for its rich taste. 

Imagine mixing the special peaberries with the towering heights of the Gayo region – you get an amazing coffee! It tastes like caramel, peach, chocolate bits, and a hint of wisteria flower. This combo of flowery and fruity is rare for Sumatra coffee. But peaberries? They always add a rich, bold, and unique twist no matter where they’re from. 

Best reduced caffeine Sumatran coffee beans: Fresh Roasted Coffee Sumatra Half-Caf

Earlier, I mentioned Sumatra coffee isn’t packed with caffeine. But, if you’re aiming to cut down your caffeine even more, Fresh Roasted Coffee has a great half-caf option worth trying. 

What gives half-caf its name? It’s a perfect mix of Fresh Roasted Coffee’s Sumatra beans and their Swiss-water decaf. Both are USDA organic, fair trade, and Rainforest Alliance certified. A guilt-free blend!

This medium roast from Goya / Aceh boasts a creamy, earthy taste with rich chocolate hints, just what you’d expect from the area. Perfect for coffee beginners!

Best Sumatra decaf coffee beans: Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Reserve Decaf

Searching for a low-caffeine pick? Let me share a decaf choice that’s so tasty, it even wins over a decaf skeptic like me.

Discover the decaf delight of the top-rated Sumatran coffee beans! These beans go through the Swiss Water Process, an all-natural way to remove nearly all caffeine without losing the unique flavors. Enjoy your coffee, minus the buzz!

Discover rich, dark-roasted single-origin beans with hints of sandalwood, nuts, and earth, true to Sumatran tradition.

Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling 

Volcanica decided to step up its medium-roast game, not wanting to miss out on the fun. Much like its darker cousin, the Volcanica Sumatra Mandheling Reserve, this medium roast has its unique twist. The real surprise comes in its flavors – imagine tasting hints of toffee, lemongrass, and dried fruit in your cup, a delightful twist from the usual flavors of this region’s coffees.

Cooper’s Cask Coffee Organic Dark Roast Sumatra

Cooper’s Cask offers top-notch coffee: 100% USDA organic, fair-trade, and crafted in small batches by expert roasters for true coffee lovers.

Dive into this coffee’s world and taste the magic. Imagine sipping on dark chocolate, feeling the earthy wood notes, and catching a hint of dark cherry. It’s smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced – everything a great Sumatran coffee should be.

Grounds and Hounds Sumatra Single-Origin

Grounds and Hounds isn’t just about great coffee; they’re on a mission to help pets. They donate 20% of their profits to support pet rescue programs. Plus, all their coffee beans are 100% organic and fair trade certified.

Having a strong mission is great, but it’s not the only thing that gets a coffee noticed. Take Grounds and Hounds Sumatra for example. This coffee is a standout from its region, boasting very dark-roasted beans that deliver a bold, rich, and smoky taste. You’ll catch hints of cocoa and pie spices in every sip, and its aroma? It’s like breathing in the sweet scent of toasted marshmallows and maple syrup.

Volcanica Sumatra Gayo

Yes, we’re talking about Volcanica again! They just keep impressing with their amazing coffee. This pick, like their others, is both fair trade and Rainforest Alliance certified. You’re in for a treat!

This medium roast, like peaberry but less intense, bursts with flavors of peach, wisteria, chocolatey cacao nib, and sweet caramel. Dive into its unique taste! 

Camano Island Coffee Organic Sumatra

Camano Island’s beans are not just delicious; they’re also fair trade, organic, and grown in the shade. Enjoy your coffee guilt-free!

Their dark roast boasts a smoky taste, hints of dried fruit, caramel, and nuts. It’s rich and syrupy, true to the region’s best traditions.

Fresh Roasted Coffee Sumatra Mandheling

Get ready for a puzzle! Even though “Mandheling” is written in large letters on the package, the beans inside are from Lintong. It’s a mystery I’m still trying to solve. If you know why, I’m all ears!

I’ve discovered that their dark-roasted coffee is wonderfully rich and bold, with delicious dark chocolate notes. Plus, it’s sustainably sourced, and they roast it in an eco-friendly way. However, despite the name, there have been some reports of the beans not being very fresh when they arrive.

Prefer something lighter? Try the medium roast option!

Starbucks Sumatra Dark Roast

Starbucks might not often top my favorite coffee lists, but it’s no shock they shine here. Why? Because they’re the biggest buyers of Sumatran coffee. This rich coffee helps make their espresso blends taste just right. While you can find it ground in some places, I say go for the whole beans. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Discover the secret behind the iconic Starbucks latte flavor – it’s all about the dark-roasted, single-origin Sumatra beans! With their rich, earthy aroma and hints of spice and herbs, these beans are the key to making your homemade latte taste just like the real deal.

Klatch Coffee Sumatra Mutu Batak

I’ve kept an exciting choice for the end. These beans are medium-roasted and blend flavors of chocolate, cedar wood, and unexpectedly, bell peppers. It’s not the usual Sumatra coffee you might know, and that’s precisely Klatch Coffee’s aim. For those looking to explore unique Sumatra coffee beans, this one promises a delightful adventure.

Final Verdict

It’s mossy. It’s earthy. It’s deliciously unique. It’s Sumatran coffee.

Are you a Starbucks lover dreaming of making your favorite espresso at home? Or maybe you’re exploring the world’s top coffee spots? Sumatran coffee, a gem from Indonesia and the fourth-largest coffee producer, is a must-try. With this guide, you’re all set to discover the finest Sumatran coffee beans. Dive in and enjoy!

Have you tried any coffees from this list yet? Or do you know a fantastic Sumatran coffee roaster I missed? Share your finds! Also, I’m on the hunt for the next coffee-producing country to explore. Drop your suggestions below!