Indonesia – Asman Arianto – Abyssinia, Ateng, Timtim – Natural

Farmer: Ribang Gayo Musara Cooperative

Asman Arianto has been living and working in the coffee industry in Aceh Tengah since 1998. Most coffee in Indonesia is processed in the wet-hulled or “Giling Basah” method, but Asman decided to focus more on processing lots as Fully Washed, Honey or Natural.

He decided he wanted to build a cooperative to unite coffee farmers. In 2018, Asman formed the Ribang Gayo Musara Cooperative. His goal is to offer competitive prices that can help farmers reinvest in their farms and their families. The cooperative currently has over 350 members who deliver cherry to their processing facility in Pantan Musara.

The benefits for cooperative members are threefold. First, they get higher prices for their cherry when they sell to the cooperative. Second, as cooperative members, they receive end-of-season ‘second payment’ premiums that share a portion of profits earned for higher-quality lots. Finally, the cooperative provides training and outreach for farmers in everything from cultivation to processing.

Tasting Notes:Creamy bodied and complex with candy sweetness and flavours of strawberry, passionfruit, vanilla and milk chocolate.