Indonesia Sulawesi Black Tea
Strong black tea from the highlands of South Sulawesi, in a country that has grown tea since 1684.
Indonesia has grown tea since tea seed from Japan reached Batavia in 1684, and in South Sulawesi it grows in highland plantations such as Malino, near Makassar. The black tea is described as strong. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Sensory profile
Where it sits
That is 52 mg in one serving (6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml)), a concentration of 24.8 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
Related gear
| Brewing method | Teapot |
|---|---|
| Brew ratio | 1:72 |
| Dose & yield | 2.9g → 210g |
| Grind size | Cut Leaf |
| Water temperature | 203°F / 95°C |
| Target brew time | 2:30-3:30 |
| Serving | 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml) |
What you need
- 2.9 g loose-leaf black tea
- 210 g filtered water at 95°C
Required gear
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Warm the pot with hot water and pour it away, so the brewing water does not lose heat to cold ceramic.
- 0:10Add 2.9 g of leaf to the pot or basket, leaving room for it to open.
- 0:20Pour 210 g of water at 95°C over the leaf and cover. Start the timer.
- 3:20Remove the leaf or decant completely. Leaf left in the pot keeps extracting and turns the last cup bitter.
What it may be good for
Caffeine, in numbers
We list about 52 mg for a 6 to 8 oz (180 to 240 ml) cup, made with 2.5 to 3 g of leaf per 200 ml.
Strong, so go short
A strong black tea turns bitter if it steeps too long. If the cup is harsh, take 30 seconds off the steep before you cut the leaf.
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 tea is right for you.
Indonesia has grown tea since tea seed from Japan reached Batavia in 1684, and in South Sulawesi it grows in highland plantations such as Malino, near Makassar. The black tea is described as strong. Brewed in a teapot at 95°C.
Origin & Story
Indonesia is a tea country far older than its coffee fame suggests. In 1684 the German botanist Andreas Cleyer brought tea seed from Japan to Batavia, and in the 1820s experimental plantations succeeded at the Bogor Botanical Gardens. The colonial government made tea part of its Cultivation System in 1828, and in 1877 Assam tea seed arrived from Ceylon, adding the Assam variety.
Tea today is mostly a Javanese and Sumatran business. About two thirds of Indonesia's tea comes from West Java, with Central Java and North Sumatra making up half of the rest, and the country made about 124,700 tons from roughly 101,000 hectares in 2022, mostly black tea. Smallholders farm the largest share of the area.
South Sulawesi is a small producer. Tea grows in the highlands above Makassar, where the Malino plantation in Gowa Regency sits at roughly 1,000 to 1,700 meters and is described as making a strong black tea. Toraja, further north, is known for its coffee, not for tea.
Brew 3 g of leaf in 240 ml of water at about 95°C for two and a half to three and a half minutes in a teapot, and taste it plain before you add milk or sugar.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 70/100 |
| Acidity | 45/100 |
| Bitterness | 50/100 |
| Body | 80/100 |
| Aroma | 80/100 |
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 Indonesia Sulawesi Black Tea?
One serving, 6–8 oz cup (180–240 ml), contains approximately 52 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Indonesia Sulawesi Black Tea?
Target 95°C (203°F).
How long should Indonesia Sulawesi Black Tea be extracted?
Timing: 2:30-3:30. Method: Teapot. Ratio: 2.5–3g per 200ml water. Grind or leaf format: Cut Leaf.
Is there Toraja tea?
Toraja, in the highlands of South Sulawesi, is known for its coffee, not for tea. South Sulawesi's tea is grown in places such as the Malino highlands near Makassar.
When did Indonesia start growing tea?
Tea seed from Japan reached Batavia in 1684, experimental plantations worked at Bogor in the 1820s, and tea joined the colonial Cultivation System in 1828.
Who should avoid Indonesia Sulawesi Black Tea?
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 tea is right for you. 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
Borosilicate Glass Teapot with Infuser
In this recipe: Teapot with room for the leaf to open
Affiliate link: CupCura may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. We have not tested this product ourselves. Disclosure
Drinks like this one
Japan Shizuoka Black Tea (Wakoucha)
Sweet, soft and low in astringency: Japan's own black tea, wakoucha, from Shizuoka.
Orthodox Black TeaChina Yixing Hong Cha
Baked bread, cocoa and dried fruit from Yixing, a town better known for its teapots.
Orthodox Black TeaTaiwan Sun Moon Lake Hong Yu Black Tea
Honey, cinnamon and mint in a deep amber cup: Sun Moon Lake's red jade tea.
Orthodox Black TeaSri Lanka Ruhuna Black Tea
Strong, full-flavored low-country Ceylon from the south, where tea arrived around 1900.