60 Kg Bag Tanahdatar Sago West Sumatran Arabica - Classic Natural (Green Bean)

SCORE: 87.8

When people think of "wet hulled coffee" (aka "giling basah"), Sumatra tends to be the origin that comes to mind. But Java also produces some of our favorites of the complex, rustic-sweet coffees, and are often exceptionally sorted for defects too, as Waspada is. The dry fragrance yields hints of banana bread, dark corn syrup, and bittersweet rustic cocoa. I pick up on a potent blackstrap molasses note in the wetted coffee that carries notes of milk chocolate and brown bread in the steam. The interesting smells give way to a somewhat atypical wet hulled cup as well. This coffee really challenges preconceptions you might have about wet hulled coffee. Sure, it has some of the typical earth and woody aspects. But it also offers notes of fruit and an acidic impression that put it in a league of its own. The cup sweetness walks a tightrope between unrefined sweeteners and earthy dried date. I'm giving City roasting the green light here - not often recommended for wet hulled coffees - which cultivates a moderately bright cup considering, with acidity being informed by notes of lemony sour grass, and a hint of orange herbal bitters. Full City+ roasts produce more than ample sweetness that offsets some of the intense roast bittering. There's also a hint of dried plum in there, and subtle anise aroma. I didn't pick up on a whole lot of 'smokey' aspects either, which only helps to lift the dense layers of dark cocoa. 

Processing Method: Wet Hulled (Giling Basah)

Cultivar:   Modern Hybrids

Farm Gate:   Yes