Last fall we introduced our limited edition single origin (mono origine) coffee: the Sumatra Boru Batak from the southern shores of Lake Toba, Indonesia. It's our feature coffee for January, and if you haven't tried it yet, now is the time; our supply of this delightfully complex coffee is nearly gone.

What makes mono origine coffee so special? In a word, traceability. Single origin beans generally come from one farm (or co-op) in a particular region. It's flavor is directly influenced by the environmental factors in that region: elevation, soil content, micro-climate, harvest and processing methods. The same coffee can be grown on different sides of the same mountain, and the flavor can be quite different. You can literally taste the affects of the region in every cup. Its flavor depicts its origin.

The flavor profile of our Boru Batak coffee, a balanced light roast, is decidedly sweet with a perfect level of acidity that cuts deep with complex flavors and unique aromas including cedar, strawberry and rhubarb, and a soft essence of honey. You will find this coffee to be one of the most seductive flavors to excite your sense of taste.

Although your choice of brewing method may vary, we recommend using an AeroPress to best unlock the complex flavors of the Sumatra Boru Batak. It's also delightful prepared as a traditional drip coffee or a rich cold brew. However you choose to brew this coffee, you will find it to be characteristically complex and sophisticated, a hallmark of coffees from this region.

Image: Coffee Growing on the shores of Lake Toba

The Sumatra Boru Batak is named after the Batak tribe indigenous to the Lintong region of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The process of procuring this very special coffee is built on several layers of testing and quality control. Our Boru Batak is exceptional for several reasons. The coffee is grown in rich volcanic soil on the southern shores of Lake Toba, providing the groundwork for its incredibly unique flavor profile.

The Sumatra Boru Batak is meticulously harvested and hand-processed, resulting in an exceptionally uniform coffee profile, enabling clarity of flavor. Characteristic of this region, the coffee is grown at altitudes of reaching 1000 to 1300 meters and is notably large, allowing for an even, robust roast. Finally, the coffee cherries are semi-washed, which keeps the pulp natural, generating its exceptional complexity and fruit undertones

Image: Sumatra Boru Batak green and roasted beans

We believe in ensuring that our final product exceeds our customer’s expectations and we are excited to offer such a notable mono origine. We are confident you will agree that the Sumatra Boru Batak coffee is one of the most rich and complex you will ever experience.

Our Sumatra Boru Batak is available for purchase at our cafés and online, while supplies last. If you live close to one of our cafés, stop in to sample a cup or join us for one of our AeroPress workshops on Friday, January 13th or 27th, at 1:00 pm. Details can be found on our Facebook page. Can't make it to the café? Watch our instructional AeroPress Brewing Guide.