Cornerstone - Sumatra Gayo Co-op

Region: Gayo Sumatra Indonesia 1,600m
Cup: Medium-Heavy Body, Mild Acidity
Flavor: Earthy, Sweet Plums, Dry Fruits
Processing: Wet hulled, sun-dried
Roast: Dark

ABOUT THIS COFFEE

Indonesian Coffees and the Gayo Sumatra
Indonesia is the fourth-largest exporter of coffee in the world. It is a large chain of islands that has different varieties of coffee ranging from Robusta to specialty Arabica. Sumatra is one of the most famous of these islands and produces many specialty coffees. The Gayo coffee itself is one of the most consumed coffees from the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Its strong aroma and mild bitterness make a wonderful cup of coffee. It has an array of earthy spices that mix agreeably with a syrupy body and notes of dark chocolate, caramels, and black tea. Many call the Gayo one of the best, if not the best, coffees from Indonesia.

Sumatra Indonesia Permata Gayo
This special coffee is cultivated and produced by the Permata Gayo, a community coop located in the Gayo region of western Sumatra. The organic coop was founded in 2006 by 50 farmers spread across five villages and has since expanded to include over 1800 members. It is organic certified (USDA/NOP, EU, and JAS), Rainforest Alliance Certified, and Fair Trade Certified. The area endured heavy economic loss and suffering during the Aceh Conflict between 1976 and 2005, and coffee has been one of main sources of income and recovery for inhabitants of the area. It is democratic for its members and has become a strong component of community building in the region.

The coop reinvests organic premiums into infrastructure projects that include road work and nature disaster relief, community investments that span arts, local sports teams and community events, environmental investments such as water, soil, and biodiversity conservation, and coffee quality and training that teach cupping, certification education, and productivity training.