Origin story: Bener Meriah, Aceh

For our first origin trip of the year, we headed west to Bener Meriah, Aceh

Getting there was an adventure in itself. We took multiple flights, including a somewhat comical route that had us leaving Indonesia, transiting through Malaysia, and returning via Medan. After a night in the city, we boarded another flight to the remote Malikussaleh Airport

Aceh, along with parts of North and West Sumatra, was heavily affected by severe flooding last December. Although four months had passed, the impact was still visible everywhere. Landslides had blocked roads, bridges remained damaged, and many routes were rough and rocky. The three-hour journey from the airport to the farm region was only possible with a four wheel drive

Upon arriving, we met coffee farmer and producer Enzo Sauqi and the team from Central Sumatera Coffee (CSC). In 2015, Enzo travelled throughout the agricultural regions of North Sumatra and Aceh, immersing himself in the coffee traditions of local communities. Witnessing both the challenges and the immense potential of Indonesian coffee, he saw an opportunity to contribute to its future. As specialty coffee continued to grow globally, Enzo began a journey dedicated to elevating the quality and reputation of Indonesian coffee on the world stage

Over the following days, we explored a portion of CSC’s 500-hectare family-owned agroforestry farms. The team had prepared an incredible itinerary that offered a deeper look into both coffee production and local life

During our three days together, we processed three experimental coffees using white koji, black koji, and kombucha. We planted coffee seedlings, shared brewed coffee among the trees paired with local pastries, visited cafés operated by young, next generation of coffee farmers, enjoyed local meals, and cupped some of CSC’s finest lots

While coffee is at the centre of every origin trip, experiences like these remind us that coffee is ultimately about people. From cherry pickers and farm managers to quality control teams and producers, every cup is shaped by countless hands and stories. Visiting origin allows us to better understand the culture, landscape, and way of life behind the coffees we roast

Enzo’s coffee has become one of the foundations of our roastery. His Sumatra Natural is available across our entire range; from whole beans to drip bags and capsules. It’s a coffee we proudly share crafted with a level of care and dedication that reflects the people behind it