Our Sumatran coffee comes from the Takengon Highlands of Aceh Province, North Sumatra, where rich volcanic soils and lush forest cover create some of the most acclaimed coffees in the world. Over the years, we’ve partnered with cooperatives like KKGO, Ketiara, and most recently the over 700 farmers who make up the Gayo Lauser Antara cooperative (KGLA), building relationships rooted in both quality coffee and community well-being.

Our head roaster Brendan stands with 3 sumatran farmers

Today, community-led nurseries are cultivating shade trees and climate-resilient coffee varieties, helping protect biodiversity in one of the most important rainforests on Earth that is being threatened by uncontrolled deforestation. Farmers have also launched creative organic farming methods, like using goats for natural weed control and organic fertilizer. Each project has been guided by farmer input, ensuring that the solutions grow directly from their needs and dreams.

a coffee nursery

This Sumatran coffee is a true classic: very full-bodied, low in acidity, and often slightly sweet  with earthy undertones. Grown under lush forest canopy and in volcanic soils, it holds its bold character even into dark roasts. The result is a coffee that is rich, grounding, and deeply satisfying, with lingering complexity, a cup as vibrant as the rainforests it comes from.  

From bold flavor to bold initiatives, Sumatra continues to inspire us, in the cup and in the coffeelands. 

This Coffee's History

2009
"Paman Dean" Eco - management using Water Buffaloes (PPKGO, KETIARA)
  • Farmer-generated idea to use water buffaloes for fertilizer.
  • Funding commitment to date: $8,000
2009, 2017 - ongoing
"Reclaiming Sumatra" (KPGLA)
  • Supported reforestation and land reclamation projects in 2009. This included Orangutan habitats. The project was revamped in 2017.
  • Funding commitment to date: $10,200 
2019 - ongoing
"Taking Flight" Migratory Bird Program (KGLA)
  • Reforestation of bird habitat and bird surveys.  
  • Partnership with Leuser Foundation and Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. 
  • Funding commitment to date: $19,800 
2023
Coffee Tree Nursery (KPGLA)

Supplied seedlings for native hardwoods fruit trees and coffee plants to create biodiversity. Plants are then shared with the 6 villages that comprise the cooperative

2024
Organic Crop Management (KGLA)

24 Goats and 50 weed whackers (string trimmers) for 6 farming villages

2025
Improving Traceability (KGLA)

Laptops, printers, and software for the KGLA Coffee collection centers in 6 farming villages. Capacity building for the cooperative to work better and improve traceability to enhance their infrastructure for to continued fair trade and organic certification. 

  1. 2009
    "Paman Dean" Eco - management using Water Buffaloes (PPKGO, KETIARA)
  2. 2009, 2017 - ongoing
    "Reclaiming Sumatra" (KPGLA)
  3. 2019 - ongoing
    "Taking Flight" Migratory Bird Program (KGLA)
  4. 2023
    Coffee Tree Nursery (KPGLA)
  5. 2024
    Organic Crop Management (KGLA)
  6. 2025
    Improving Traceability (KGLA)