SUMATRA AULIA KAFHI ACEH HIGHLANDS
Tasting Notes
A Singular Expression of Giling Basah
This selection from Aulia Kahfi stands as another exemplary expression of Aceh’s wet-hulled tradition—defined by profound rustic sweetness, layered depth, and unmistakable sense of place.
The aromatic profile opens with the richness of blackstrap molasses, joined by subtle earth tones and the dense elegance of dark chocolate ganache. As the cup unfolds, sweetness deepens toward caramel and bittersweet chocolate, with impressions of sorghum syrup rising through the steam.
On the palate, the coffee is expansive and grounding, its sweetness anchored by notes of brown rice syrup and raw brown sugars, while herbal and forest-floor nuances quietly emerge beneath the surface. As the cup cools, latent fruit accents appear—suggestions of sour green apple and orange peel—adding a restrained brightness that lifts the profile without disrupting its inherent gravity.
The structure is marked by a dense, inky body, with bittersweet cocoa tones forming the backbone of the experience. The finish is long and resonant, carrying impressions of dark chocolate, cedar, and a gentle black-pepper spice, leaving a lasting, contemplative impression.
This is a coffee of weight and texture rather than overt clarity—an expression that favors depth, warmth, and persistence, rendered with uncommon cleanliness for its style.
Origin & Stewardship
This wet-hulled coffee originates from the Aceh Highlands of northern Sumatra, sourced by Aulia Kahfi, a deeply quality-focused coffee collector working in the districts of Bebesen and Kute Panang. Farms in these regions typically lie between 1300 and 1600 meters above sea level, planted to older, long-berry cultivars such as Abyssinia, Ateng, and Tim Tim, recognizable by their distinctive canoe-shaped seeds.
Aulia’s operation is intentionally small in scale. He purchases limited quantities at a time and processes the coffee with his family at home—an approach that allows for exceptional attention to detail across each stage of production. This intimacy of scale enables a level of quality control rarely achievable in larger systems, and it is evident both in the physical preparation of the coffee and in its expressive clarity.
While wet hulling (Giling Basah) is often associated with inconsistency, Aulia’s coffees stand apart—remarkably clean while still preserving the unmistakable character of the process. His commitment extends across multiple processing styles, including wet-hulled, dry process, honey, and fully washed, each handled with equal care.
We have been privileged to work with Aulia for several years, paying meaningful premiums to support improvements in processing infrastructure, including the construction of raised drying beds. These investments are reflected in the increasing refinement and consistency of his coffees.
It is important to note that Aulia and many Aceh farmers have recently been affected by severe typhoons, leaving their rural communities temporarily accessible only by air and in urgent need of basic supplies. Ongoing aid efforts are underway to deliver food, water, and fuel to these regions—an important reminder that behind coffees of this depth and character are people whose livelihoods depend on both land and resilience.
Estate Details
Score: 87.5
Districts: Bebesen, Kute Panang
Elevation: 1300–1600 meters
Processing: Wet Hulled (Giling Basah)
Cultivars: Abyssinia, Ateng, Tim Tim
