PRODUCER :  Gayo Organic Coffee Farmer's Association (PPKGO), Sumatra, Indonesia

STRENGTH GUIDE :  FULL (5+)

STUART'S TASTING NOTES

"A deep rich smokey flavoured coffee.  Light acidity with full body and a rich persistent finish.  Great as an espresso and bold enough for the flavour to cut through milk.  A great after dinner coffee."

MORE ABOUT THE COFFEE AND THE FARMERS

This is a high quality 100% Arabica shade-grown, organic and Fairtrade Sumatran coffee from the Takengon Gayo highlands of Aceh province.  Grown at altitudes between 1,350 and 1,750 metres. It is a typical Sumatran, heavy bodied and intense.   

The Gayo Organic Coffee Farmers Association (or PPKGO) was founded in 1997.  This predominantly devout Muslim region has suffered from political and social strife for many years, but PPKGO has 1,800 ethnically diverse members in over 20 communities, and comprises 20% women. 

The individual members of PPKGO typically farm one to four acres, mixing coffee with other fruits and vegetables. The benefit of the collective is that they can deliver their coffee directly to the Coffee Development Centre at Bener Meriah, cutting out the middlemen.

"When you drink our coffee, don't just think about the money we're making, but about the species we're protecting in the midst of this conflict. The Fair Trade price is not just about money, it's about protecting the eco-system and our community."   - Iswandi Idris   PPKGO, Indonesia