Sumatra coffee beans: our Aceh wet-hulled bag

No. 3 Position is a wet-hulled (giling basah) coffee from Aceh, Takengon, Indonesia, with notes of dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy. It suits anyone who makes espresso or moka, or who adds milk or ice, and it ships free in the US as a 12 oz bag, whole bean or ground, for $28.

What is on the label?

Region: Aceh, Takengon, Indonesia. Altitude: 1,100 to 1,600 m. Process: wet-hulled (giling basah), which means the parchment is removed while the bean is still wet. Varietals: Tim Tim, Typica, Ateng, Onan Ganjang and Jember. The roaster, Temecula Coffee Roasters in Temecula, California, does not state a roast level for this coffee, so we do not describe one. Ingredients: coffee.

How does it compare with our other coffees?

If you are choosing between a few bags, here is Position against two coffees a buyer might weigh it against.

Choose Position for earthy depth. Choose No. 6 Hegemony for a smooth, low-fuss pot, and No. 7 Praxis if you want dark chocolate with bright fruit. All ten are on one page: all ten coffees.

How do I brew it?

For espresso, we use 1:2 in 28 seconds. For a moka pot, see how much coffee for a moka pot. If you add milk, check the latte ratio. Position holds its shape under milk and under ice, so it also works in a cold milk drink.

Should I subscribe?

If Position becomes your daily bag, the subscription is 11% off, and you can skip or cancel in one click. If you are not sure, order one bag first.

Who is this bag for?

It is for someone who drinks espresso or moka pot coffee, or who adds milk or ice and wants the coffee to stay in the cup instead of disappearing. It is also for someone who finds washed coffees from Colombia or Guatemala a bit too tidy and wants an earthy, heavier profile. It is not the bag for a bright, floral cup, and we would rather say so than oversell it. For that, look at No. 4 Conjuncture (orange, lemon, floral) or No. 9 Optimism (pear, floral, jasmine, strawberry).

What does a 12 oz bag make?

A 12 oz bag is 340 g. As an example, if you pull a double shot with 18 g of coffee, a bag gives you about 18 doubles. If you use a moka pot, the amount depends on the size of the pot, and our moka guide shows the numbers. Whole bean keeps your options open if you own a grinder, because you can grind fine for espresso or a little coarser for a moka pot, and ground saves a step if you do not. Pick whichever fits your kitchen when you check out.

Shipping is free in the US, and the price is the same $28 whether you order whole bean or ground.

Why wet-hulled, in two lines?

Wet-hulled (giling basah) means the parchment comes off while the bean is still wet, and the bare bean is dried afterward. It is a process tied to Indonesian coffee, and it is part of why the profile is earthy and heavy.

What does the label not tell you?

It does not state a roast level, a grade or a cup score, so we do not give you one. The label facts above are what we can stand behind. If the earthy, dried fruit cup sounds like yours, the bag is the fastest way to find out. If it does not, the other nine coffees are one click away, all at the same $28.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sumatra coffee dark roast?

The roaster does not state a roast level for this coffee, so we do not call it dark or medium. The label notes are dark chocolate, dried fruit and earthy.

Is your Sumatra coffee whole bean or ground?

Both. Every bag is 12 oz for $28, whole bean or ground, with free shipping in the US.

What is the best way to brew Sumatra coffee?

We suggest espresso at 1:2 in 28 seconds, or a moka pot. It holds its shape under milk and under ice.

One bag will tell you whether earthy is your cup.