Single Origin -- Sumatra - The Arisarina Coop (Grade 1)

About the producers

Arisarina Cooperative is a coffee producers' cooperative established in 2013, with a membership that has reached 2,494 farmers. The farmers share common goals to improve the quality of coffee grown in the Gayo highlands and to maintain and preserve the ecosystem. 

These goals are evident in the cooperative’s use of the shade tree method. When using this method, farms plant different kinds/heights of trees alongside the coffee plants. Not only does this decrease pests and disease (and therefore the use of chemical pesticides), it also creates an ecologically diverse environment and reduces stress on the area. This method isn’t commonly used in Indonesia, so it’s really cool to see this cooperative doing it so well! 

Gayo is considered one of the largest Arabica coffee plantations in South East Asia, with plantations that are 100% managed by local farmers. This coffee carries the unique Geographical Identification (GI) certification helping to protect producers against unfair competition, counterfeiting, and adds value to the product that gains competitive advantage. This is the third year Kapeh Utz has offered coffee from the Arisarina Cooperative.

Attached are pictures of some of the cooperative members, some of their coffee plants, coffee cherries (the form in which coffee is picked off the tree), and parchment. These photos come from our import partner as well as from the coop’s social media.

About the Coffee

Crop: 2020 - 2021 Harvested February - May 2020

Farmers: Arisarina Cooperative - 2,494 members

Varieties: Timor, Catimor

Altitude: 1200 - 1600 meters

Processing: Semi-washed

Grade: Grade 1, double picked

Certifications: Direct trade, Certified Organic FLO ID 30922, USDA Organic, Fair Trade, GI

Cup Characteristics: Flavors of dried cherries, almonds, honey, chocolate, hint of citrus