Sumatra Gayo Wet-Hulled Coffee
Cocoa, cedar and tobacco from the cool Gayo highlands around Lake Laut Tawar.
A wet-hulled coffee from the Gayo Highlands of Aceh, in northern Sumatra. The cup is deep and sweet, with cocoa, cedar, dried herbs and tobacco, in a rounded, low-acid body. Brewed in a French press at 93°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 86 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 35.8 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 | French Press |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 18g → 300g |
| Grind size | Medium-coarse |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 4:00 |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 18 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 300 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 18 g ground medium-coarse.
- 0:00Pour 300 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
A number worth knowing
We list about 86 mg for an 8 oz cup.
Reading the label
The name Gayo is protected as a geographical indication, so a bag that says Gayo should come from the highlands of Central Aceh. Look for the region and the harvest year on the label.
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.
A wet-hulled coffee from the Gayo Highlands of Aceh, in northern Sumatra. The cup is deep and sweet, with cocoa, cedar, dried herbs and tobacco, in a rounded, low-acid body. Brewed in a French press at 93°C.
Origin & Story
The Gayo Highlands lie in Central Aceh, in the north of Sumatra, around the town of Takengon. Takengon sits at about 1,258 meters on the shore of Lake Laut Tawar, where the air is cool and rain falls through the year. The people who live here, the Gayo, are the majority in the area, and most of them are coffee farmers.
Coffee came with the Dutch. They made the area a sub-district in 1904, and coffee was first planted in the highlands in 1908. A plantation called Wilhelmina Blang Gele opened in 1918 as the first commercial coffee estate in Aceh. Today most Gayo coffee comes from small family plots, and many farmers sell through cooperatives.
The name Gayo has been protected as a geographical indication since 2010, which ties it to the highlands it comes from. Farms grow coffee at roughly 1,200 to 1,500 meters, and the Gayo Highlands are among the largest arabica-growing areas in Indonesia.
Like most Sumatran coffee, Gayo is usually wet-hulled. The parchment comes off while the bean is still damp and the bean finishes drying bare, which suits the highland rain. The result is low acidity and a full body, with cocoa and cedar, dried herbs and tobacco in the cup.
Brew 18 g of medium-coarse coffee in 300 g of water at 93°C, and press after four minutes.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 82/100 |
| Acidity | 34/100 |
| Bitterness | 32/100 |
| Body | 84/100 |
| Aroma | 86/100 |
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 Sumatra Gayo Wet-Hulled Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 86 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Sumatra Gayo Wet-Hulled Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Sumatra Gayo Wet-Hulled Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 4:00. Method: French Press. Ratio: 60g/L (18g coffee to 300g water). Grind or leaf format: Medium-coarse.
Where is the Gayo region?
In the highlands of Central Aceh, in northern Sumatra, around the town of Takengon and Lake Laut Tawar. Coffee grows there at roughly 1,200 to 1,500 meters.
What does wet-hulled coffee taste like?
Typically full-bodied and low in acidity, with earthy, herbal and cocoa flavors. This one adds cedar and tobacco.
Who should avoid Sumatra Gayo Wet-Hulled 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. 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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