SUMATRA MANDHELING COFFEE “Mandheling”, pronounced as “Man-dai-ling”, is an ethnic group in Indonesia who were involved in coffee production in the South Tapanuli region. Usually, coffee takes its name from the region it is grown, however this Sumatran coffee has a different story to tell. The story said that during Japanese occupation, the Japanese soldiers frequented coffee shops owned and operated by Mandhelings. Satisfied with the distinct unique taste of coffee served to him, one soldier could not help by ask the name of the coffee. Since there was a language barrier, the coffee shop owner thought the soldier was asking about him, and he answered “Mandheling”. Later after the war, the Japanese soldier placed an order of 15 tons of “Mandheling Coffee” from a Sumatran businessman. Sumatra’s best coffee is now known as Mandheling coffee.
Sumatra coffee was brought in by the Dutch planters to Indonesia in the 19th century. Driven by their desire to break the Arabian monopoly of coffee production, these Dutch coffee planters brought to Indonesia these coffee plants. Sumatra coffee once became successful in dominating the world coffee market. However, some years later, the coffee plants were devastated by disease and were completely destroyed. Strong will and determination lead to the rebirth of the coffee in the land but only to be destroyed again by World War II. Despite being destroyed again, Mandheling Coffee remained, survived and lived. The South Tapanuli region is the finest region for growing Sumatra coffee. This is the home of Mandhelings, the tribe, and Mandheling, the coffee. Today, Mandheling has almost taken over the name of the region because of the fame of the coffee. Now the region is also popularly called Mandheling. This region is one of the largest islands of the Republic of Indonesia. It has the ideal altitude of between 2,500 to 5,000 feet, ideal location for growing coffee. Sumatra Mandheling coffee is actually Arabica coffee and it only shares 15% of the total coffee production of Indonesia. The rest or the 85% are Robusta coffee specie. Arabica coffee beans have the standard gourmet coffee quality while Robusta is best for commercial coffee blending. These Mandheling coffee beans are regarded as the premium gourmet quality while the rest is called lower grades and are used for commercial blending. Sumatra Mandheling is one of the world’s most distinct coffees. The best hotels in Switzerland and in the world recommend this gourmet coffee. It is famous for its exotic flavor and heavenly aroma. This Mandheling coffee offers an elegant full bodied, resonant, flavorful taste and lingering aroma. |
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