Java: Java Sunda Gunung Tilu

This coffee is a small producer blend from farms near the mountain peak of Tilu ( peak is called "Gunung"). Tilu has a very high altitude, and farms in the nearby villages where this coffee was collected tend to stagger between 1600 and 1800 meters above sea level. The intermediary with works closely with local farmers in West Java, wet-processing coffee in small batches to high standards. This lot is from a man named Pak Gunawan, where we sourced several stellar fully washed West Javanese coffees. Gunawan is both a farmer and collector, the latter meaning he goes out to the nearby villages. What separates him from most collectors is that he pays special attention to separating the lots that he buys by region, these smaller lot sizes adding a layer of quality control, not to mention more specific provenance. Java Sunda (West Java) was the original coffee area, but you would find few trees here of late. Most Java coffee is grown in the East, where the big estates are. But farmers in Java Sunda always kept small coffee plots, although they mainly grown rice, onions, cabbage, carrots and other food crops for local markets in Bandung and Jakarta. Here amongst the Ateng and Jember coffees are some old Typica trees, the original Typica, which is quite amazing. (Java was the first destination for coffee from Yemen, with a stopover in India). It's nice to see small lots from the different mountain villages in the region rather than the typically large, full-container blends.

This is another beautiful Farm Gate coffee that is great as a blend in espresso.

Cupping Notes: Palm sugar, tobacco, citrus rind, toasted grains, bell pepper, and a shade of cocoa notes

Brew Recommendations: Espresso, drip, French press, pour over

Farm Gate Coffee: Farmers paid at least 50% above Fair Trade

Varietals: Ateng, Djember, Jember, Typica

Region: Tilu, Bandung, Sunda

Process: Wet Process (Washed) and Raised Bed Sun-Dried

Altitude: 1600-1800 meters

 

Equity Pricing (EP) Levels

Sustaining Level: $16 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Uplifting Level: $20 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Benefacting Level: $24 per 12 oz bag (check out subscriptions for deep discounts) | More info below

Sourced from the Tilu region of Bandung, Sunda, this Java Sunda Gunung Tilu is produced by Pak Gunawan. The coffee is grown at an elevation of 1600-1800 masl and features the Ateng varietal, which is often recognized for its resilience and distinct cup profile. This specific lot undergoes a washed process, a method typically employed to highlight the inherent clarity and acidity of the bean.

Roasted by Keia & Martyn's Coffee, the profile presents a complex interplay of savory and sweet elements, ranging from palm sugar and cocoa to tobacco, toasted grains, and bell pepper, with a bright finish of citrus rind. When evaluating such diverse characteristics, many enthusiasts find it helpful to consult a flavor wheel to better categorize these nuanced sensations. This selection offers a compelling look at the unique terroir of the Indonesian highlands, showcasing how traditional processing can shape the final expression of the harvest.