Story

We have long been a fan of coffee from northern Sumatra. We set out to visit this area as early as 2014, but the trip was put a halt from a volcanic eruption on the island. After resuming our sourcing activities, we were pleased to find a gem perched high in the mountains of Central Aceh. Even with the volcano on our side, this was no easy-to-reach destination, whereby after a series of flights, a further 12-hour drive awaited us.

This is a women-run cooperative with over 890 grower-members, started in 2008 by Ibu Rahmah. She had managed her family’s coffee business for 20 years, purchasing cherries, processing the green and selling to traders. Many of the cooperative’s members are women who lost their husbands in the 2003 civil war. They have preserved in a male-dominated culture and industry to produce this bold tasting coffee. The cooperative members voted to become organic and Fairtrade certified in 2012, committing proceeds to create programs for health, education and public infrastructure.

For a Sustainable Future

• Social: Fair Trade, Community Investment, Aiding Those in Need

Certification

• Fair Trade Organic