Highlights of The World Coffee Specialty AssaultIf in the global scenario of specialty coffee there are some stars like Ethiopia, Colombia or Brazil. However, somewhere in the verdant highlands of Indonesia lies an emergent coffee standout: Jember Coffee Beans. This bean is mostly grown in the Jember Regency of East Java and has historical features, unique attributes as well a flavor profile that both casual coffee drinkers to fanatical aficionados have figured out just how great this one can taste. If you are a coffee lover or simply want to try something new, Jember Coffee is an exciting sensory journey and its appreciation shall keep growing.
But truly, these Jember coffee beans have a lot going for them from their source and production method to flavor profile and cultural importance which is why I explore all about this Indonesian coffee on the blog.
Coffee as in Indonesia is not a new thing, its history dates back to the late 17th century when Dutch colonial era reigns. Indonesia was one of the first places outside Africa and Middle East to plant coffee, as brought in by Dutch Indonesian Company (VOC) when it introduce tropical plants like Coffee Plant an estate near Batavia or today is Jakarta. Indonesia has historically been one of the coffee suppliers for Europe, but it is now producer of some Arabian Robusta number in the world.
JavaThen, Java became the synonym for coffee which is why until now a cup of java means: coffee. Jember, a town to the east on Java has been pivotal in this history. With its rich volcanic soil and near perfect weather conditions, the Jember region has grown to rival more well-known coffee growing regions of Indonesia including Sumatra as a premier environment for Arabica species production.
Jember is situated in East Java, an area which often benefits from volcanic loam soil at high altitude and a tropical climate that are both conducive to making coffee of the highest quality. This area, specifically the highlands around Mount Raung is a deposit of natural resources from volcanic soil that makes their own coffees have different taste notes than outside.
The rich volcanic soil in Jember is full of nutrients that rain water into the coffee trees and brings complex and bold flavors to it.
Altitude: Jember’s coffee farms are typically located at an altitude of 1,200 to over 1500 meters above sea level which provide ideal conditions for the slow ripening process. Soil maturation over time explains why beans are so dense with flavor.
Climate: Jember’s climate is tropical, marked by wet and dry seasons that are ideal for coffee cultivation. The wet season allows the plants all of their required water, and then in the dryseason they are sun dried naturally which leads to a sweeter bean.
One of the things people will know about Jember coffee are that its typical method by varietal, a geographical character and innovative cultivation. So, what makes Jember coffee beans different?
Genetic Lineage: Jember, a varietal developed by the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute in (you guessed it) Jember What they refer to as ‘Jember’, or Arabica Typica, is the results bred for specific purposes allowing it not only cope well in local conditions schemed but exhibit immaculate features typical of superior varietals.
Microclimates: The range of microclimates within the Jember region enables up to 15 different growing conditions in just a few square miles. The variety of environmental factors is also what gives Jember beans their wide flavors ranging from bright and fruity to full-bodied chocolate.
Concentrated on Arabica: Although Indonesia is famous for its Robusta beans, Jember region give special attention to cultivate the Arabica. Arabica has a milder flavor, less caffeine and body than Robusta beans.
The Jember area is famous for growing few varietal of Arabica with each supposed to be adding a different dimension in creating the eventual cup. Among the most distinguished varietals are:
Typica: A classic example of true Arabicas is the Typica varietal. Resulting in a clean yet complex profile, balanced acidity, syrupy body and notes of dark fruit or soft floral tones that are not overpoweringly sweet.
Catimor: Flavorful and slightly higher yielding, Catimór was bred to increase disease resistance. Although its flavor is more aggressive than that of Typica, it still has the single layered depth and balance that makes Jember coffee shine.
S795 (Kent): This line was originally developed in India and has good resistance to coffee leaf rust, while also producing high quality cups. It has a medium body, some nice features to the acidity and flavor including chocolate spice notes.
If you are a casual java drinker or an aficionado, these arabica varietals fermented within the Jember terroir have numerous complex notes to offer your taste buds.
But as global demand for sustainably sourced coffee rises, the coffee community in Jember has adopted environmentally friendly practices. A lot of the farmers in Jember are dedicated to Organic and Biodiversity Farming Systems like Agroforestry. Coffee produced by these farmers is often tastier since it allows some of the nuance flavors to shine through in what are know as “conventional” beansated pesticides and fertilizers.
Agrocentury: Part of the Jember coffee farms hiden under tress prevent destrution forest and other coffee skins. This helps to protect diversity, avoid soil erosion and slow the development of coffee matures as it is a very active vegetation.
Water Budget: Water-saving processing methods are part of the environmental agenda for many Jember farmers. This minimizes water usage during the washing process and many are equipped with a recycling system to treat and use again.
Fair Trade Fair trade involves fair wages for coffee producers, and many Jember farmers are part of special cooperatives to set these high standards. This not only allows the economy to stay within its home country but also brings a higher quality of living for those involved in coffee production.
This makes Jember coffee beans favored by most those who are fond of specialty grade coffees as their complexity and balance meets the standard requirements. Their unique plant physiology and celebrated processing methods, thriving on the rich volcanic soil of the surrounding region combine to produce a cup that is bright with nuance.
Tangy Acidity: One of the stand-out attributes of Jember coffee is its tang naturally coupled with citrus acidity similar to orange or mandarin. The acidity serves to create the refreshing and lively character of this coffee.
Sweetness: Jember coffee is often prized for its natural sweetness that includes caramel, honey and brown sugar. It is a harmonious taste, the sweetness balanced with acidity in the coffee.
As the title image also hints, there is a delicate quality to these floral undertones: jasmine or lavender from those antique varieties are something that gets lost in translation when Jember crosses over with your average basic background variety.
While the aftertaste may have a little chocolate and nutty notes, these flavours are tips of icebergs depending on processing methods adopted for Jember coffee. These help it boast a velvety, sumptuous mouthfeel.
As you can see, the fruity acidity and natural sweetness along with floral or nutty notes makes for a very versatile coffee that is enjoyed by all range of people who enjoy coffee.
How coffee beans are processed holds an important place in how they would eventually taste. In Jember, the two primary processing methods are washed process and natural (dry) process.
Washed refers to the process wherein coffee cherries are removed, beans go through a second fermented while in water (this time with mucilage), before being washed of any remaining fruit and then dried. This creates a less bready, cleaner cup with brighter acidity and floral notes. On the other hand, washed Jember coffee has a bright clean taste that accents its fruity and floral notes.
Coffee cherries left to dry in the natural process. It lets the beans take in a lot of additional sugars from that fruit both essentially flavor, so you end up with warmer bolder tastes in your cup. Jember: Jembet mix/sumatra flavor;paprika,syrup,coffee mucilage,berry jam variant,melon juice and contain tropical fruit;wine mouthfeel.
The beans here are processed in two ways, and both of them have unique taste, so coffee drinkers can choose whether they like which one.
Different flavors that are this Jember coffee, we also often do not fully realized it if the brewing is wrong. Follow these tips for the best use of your Jember beans:
Your grind size: before grinding down coffee beans into what will become your tasty espresso or filter brew be sure not to forget that you have the right sized grinds. A medium grind works great for the pour-over method, while a coarser grind is best suited to French press. Fine Grind When Brewing Espresso
Water temp: Shoot for 195°F–205°F to get the best flavor out of your beans. If the water is too hot you can scorch the coffee, if it’s only half-arsed this may in part explain why your beautiful beans are making such shoddy flavoured coffee.
Conclusion Brewing Methods: Contrary to popular belief, Jember coffee beans work well with various brewing methods. A pour-over with a V60 or a Chemex would be a great way for you to get a clean, bright cup. On the other hand, if you prefer your coffee strong and full-bodied, you can opt for a French press. Finally, if you want to taste a shot of espresso, note that Jember coffee has natural sweetness and fruity acidity. The coffee-to-water ratio So, a good starting point is 1:16, which means one part coffee to 16 parts water. You should adjust this according to the desired strength of coffee. Jember Coffee’s Growing Global Recognition Jember coffee is not and has never been as popular as other coffee regions. But it has started making its way to the global specialty market. Jember has been making an appearance at coffee competitions and international cupping sessions, with many roasters stating that this is truly special coffee. The demand is increasing as more people realize the depth and complexity of Jember coffee. And you can find this bean in almost all specialty coffee shops, including online retailers. Where to Buy Jember Coffee Beans If you want to see if Jember is as special for yourself, here’s where you can find this unique Indonesian coffee: Specialty Coffee Roasters Online Retailers These websites often feature Indonesian coffee, which might be Jember beans. Just remember to check the origin details.
From The Coffee Farmers: Some of the coffee farms and cooperatives in Jember offer their beans directly to consumers through their websites, allowing us not only to purchase fresh coffee but also support the very people who grow it.
When it comes to Specialty coffee, Jember Coffee Beans are a hidden gem in the world of specialty coffees that have depth and complexity in flavour due to its unique growing conditions at high altitudes East Java. Their fruity acidity, natural sweetness and floral undertones are just some of the sensory experiences that tempts with even one quartillo Jember coffee could compares to other best coffees in big level.
From the people who loves coffee best to those wish to try new taste, you shall check Jember Coffee Bean off your list! Both because of their positive global visibility, responsible farming practices and also due to the character they express in that cup if you are into coffee, those people should be a part of your checklist. So when you’re looking for the latest single origin coffee poised to be your new favorite, remember Jember it’s worth a try.
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