Bali Kintamani Coffee
Mandarin, cocoa and clove from the slopes of Mount Batur, grown among citrus trees.
A washed arabica from the Kintamani highlands of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Batur. The cup is bright and rounded, with mandarin, cocoa, clove and brown sugar. Brewed in a French press at 93°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 88 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 36.7 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
| Brewing method | French Press |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 14.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Medium-coarse |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 14.4 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- French press
- Burr grinder
- Kettle
- Scale
- Timer
- Long spoon for the crust
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Pre-heat the press, then add 14.4 g ground medium-coarse.
- 0:00Pour 240 g of water at 93°C in one go and start the timer. Fit the lid without plunging.
- 4:00Break the crust with a spoon and skim off the foam and floating grounds.
- 4:00Press slowly — if it resists, stop pressing rather than forcing it.
- 4:05Decant every drop immediately into a warmed vessel. Coffee left on the grounds keeps extracting.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 88 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Washed, not wet-hulled
Many Indonesian coffees are wet-hulled, but Kintamani is a washed coffee: the beans are fermented briefly, washed and dried in their parchment. That is why it tastes cleaner and brighter than most Sumatran coffees.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
- Bright, high-acid coffees can feel sharp on an empty stomach for some people, so a little food with it helps.
A washed arabica from the Kintamani highlands of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Batur. The cup is bright and rounded, with mandarin, cocoa, clove and brown sugar. Brewed in a French press at 93°C.
Origin & Story
Kintamani sits in the north-east of Bali, on the slopes of the volcano Mount Batur, at roughly 900 to 1,600 meters. Volcanic soil, cool air and regular rain suit arabica.
Farming here follows a Balinese way of working together. Coffee growers belong to Subak Abian, the farmer groups for dry-land crops, guided by the Hindu philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, harmony with God, with people and with the environment. Many farms grow coffee in the shade of other trees, with citrus mixed in, which fits the mandarin note people often taste in the cup.
In 2008 Bali Kintamani Arabica became the first coffee in Indonesia to receive a geographical indication, a legal protection for its name and the area it comes from, with the production zone set above 900 meters. Quality work began in 2002, when farmers were trained to switch from dry processing to the wet method, and the standard now calls for fully washed coffee.
That washing is why a Kintamani can taste cleaner and brighter than most Indonesian coffees: mandarin and cocoa, clove and brown sugar, and not much of the heavy earthiness people expect from Sumatra.
A French press keeps the cup round and full. Steep 14.4 g of medium-coarse coffee in 240 ml of water at 93°C for four minutes.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 82/100 |
| Acidity | 54/100 |
| Bitterness | 32/100 |
| Body | 76/100 |
| Aroma | 88/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Bali Kintamani Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 88 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Bali Kintamani Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Bali Kintamani Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 4:00. Method: French Press. Ratio: 60g coffee per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Medium-coarse.
Is Kintamani coffee wet-hulled?
No. The standard for Bali Kintamani Arabica calls for fully washed coffee: the cherry is pulped, the beans are fermented briefly and washed, and then dried in their parchment.
What does the Kintamani geographical indication protect?
It protects the name Bali Kintamani Arabica and ties it to a defined area on the slopes of Mount Batur, above 900 meters, so a bag with that name should come from there. It was the first coffee in Indonesia to be protected this way, in 2008.
Who should avoid Bali Kintamani Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. Bright, high-acid coffees can feel sharp on an empty stomach for some people, so a little food with it helps. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Bodum Chambord French Press
In this recipe: French press
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