Aceh Gayo Green Bean is one of Indonesia’s most celebrated specialty arabica coffees, cultivated by smallholder farmers in the volcanic highlands of Central Aceh, Sumatra. Prized by specialty roasters worldwide, this wet-hulled coffee delivers a distinctively full body, earthy complexity, and a syrupy sweetness that elevates any roast profile.
At Arjuna Coffee, we source this exceptional bean directly from farming cooperatives across Bener Meriah and Central Aceh — ensuring full traceability, fair pricing, and consistent specialty-grade quality year after year.
What Is Aceh Gayo Green Bean?
Aceh Gayo Green Bean refers to unroasted specialty-grade arabica coffee beans grown in the Gayo Highlands of Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. These beans are processed using the traditional wet-hulled (Giling Basah) method, which gives them their signature dark blue-green color and intensely complex flavor profile. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) consistently recognizes Gayo-origin coffees among the finest in Southeast Asia.
Origin & Terroir of Aceh Gayo Coffee
The Gayo Highlands sit at the heart of Aceh Province in northern Sumatra. Coffee farms stretch across elevations of 1,300–1,600 meters above sea level (MASL), surrounding the ancient volcanic Lake Tawar in the districts of Bener Meriah and Aceh Tengah.
This region delivers ideal growing conditions for arabica coffee:
-
-
Volcanic andosol soil — rich in organic matter and natural minerals
-
Cool tropical climate — average temperatures of 17–24°C year-round
-
Abundant rainfall — 2,000–3,000 mm annually, feeding slow cherry maturation
-
Shade-grown cultivation — under Lamtoro, avocado, and pine canopy
-
These terroir factors combine to produce coffee cherries with exceptional sugar development and dense cellular structure — the foundation of a high cupping score.
Flavor Profile & Cupping Notes of Aceh Gayo Green Bean
Once roasted, Aceh Gayo delivers a cup that is unmistakably Sumatran yet remarkably refined. Independent cupping panels have scored this lot between 83–86 SCA points, firmly placing it in the specialty tier.
Expect the following tasting notes:
-
-
Aroma: Earthy, herbal, cedarwood, tobacco leaf
-
Flavor: Dark chocolate, brown sugar, spice, dried fig
-
Acidity: Low to medium — soft, rounded, almost wine-like
-
Body: Heavy, syrupy, velvety mouthfeel
-
Aftertaste: Long, sweet, lingering caramel finish
-
The wet-hulled process amplifies the heavy body and muted acidity that Sumatran coffees are famous for, making this green bean an outstanding choice for medium-dark to dark roast profiles and espresso blends.
Processing Method: Wet-Hulled (Giling Basah)
Aceh Gayo coffee is processed using Giling Basah, a wet-hulling technique unique to Sumatra and the Indonesian archipelago. Unlike conventional washed processing, Giling Basah removes the parchment layer while the bean still retains 30–40% moisture content.
Here’s how it works:
-
-
Harvest: Fully ripe cherries are hand-picked selectively
-
Pulping: Cherry skin is removed mechanically within hours of harvest
-
Fermentation: Brief overnight fermentation (12–18 hours)
-
Wet-Hulling: Parchment is stripped at high moisture, exposing the raw bean
-
Drying: Beans are sun-dried on raised beds or patios to 11–12% moisture
-
This method is what gives Gayo beans their distinctive blue-green hue, heavy body, and low acidity. For a deeper understanding, refer to the Wikipedia article on Giling Basah.
Technical Specifications — Aceh Gayo Green Bean
| Specification | Value |
| Grade | Specialty Grade |
| Varietal | Ateng Super, Tim-Tim, Bourbon |
| Processing | Wet-Hulled (Giling Basah) |
| Altitude | 1,300–1,600 MASL |
| Cupping Score | 83–86 SCA Points |
| Moisture Content | 11–12% |
| Water Activity | 0.55–0.60 aw |
| Defect Value | < 5 (SCAA Standard) |
| Screen Size | 15–18 |
| Density | 700–720 g/L |
| Harvest Season | September–December (Main) / March–May (Fly Crop) |
| Processing Region | Bener Meriah & Central Aceh, Sumatra |
| Country of Origin | Indonesia |
| HS Code | 0901.11.10 |
Packaging & Export Information
All Aceh Gayo Green Bean shipments from Arjuna Coffee are prepared to international export standards. We offer flexible packaging solutions to suit your logistics requirements:
| Package Type | Weight | Description |
| GrainPro Liner Bag | 60 kg | Jute bag with hermetic GrainPro inner liner — the gold standard for preserving freshness during ocean freight |
| Vacuum Sealed Box | 20 kg | High-barrier vacuum packaging in corrugated cartons. Ideal for sample lots and specialty micro-lots |
| Standard Jute Bag | 60 kg | Traditional food-grade jute bag for quick-turnaround commercial shipments |
-
-
Minimum Order Quantity: 1 Metric Ton (approx. 17 bags × 60 kg)
-
Shipping Terms: FOB Belawan port (Medan) or CIF to destination
-
Lead Time: 14–21 days from order confirmation
-
Documentation: Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, ICO Certificate of Origin, Quality Report
-
Why Source Aceh Gayo Green Bean from Arjuna Coffee?
-
-
Direct from origin: We work directly with farming cooperatives in Bener Meriah and Central Aceh — no middlemen, full traceability.
-
Consistent quality: Every lot is cupped in-house using ICO and SCA protocols before export approval.
-
Flexible MOQ: From 500 kg sample containers to full 20ft FCL loads — we scale with your business.
-
Export-ready documentation: Phytosanitary, Certificate of Origin, and full lab reports provided with every shipment.
-
Trusted since 2018: Arjuna Coffee has supplied specialty Indonesian coffee to roasters in Asia, Europe, and North America.
-
Arjuna Coffee supplies export-grade specialty Indonesian coffee — including green beans, roasted beans, and ground coffee — directly from origin.
Contact us: WhatsApp | info@arjunacoffee.co.id
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Aceh Gayo coffee special?
Aceh Gayo coffee is grown at 1,300–1,600 MASL in volcanic soil around Lake Tawar, Sumatra. The combination of high altitude, shade-grown cultivation, and the traditional Giling Basah processing method produces a uniquely full-bodied cup with earthy, chocolatey complexity — a profile that is difficult to replicate anywhere else in the world.
How is Aceh Gayo Green Bean processed?
It is processed using the Wet-Hulled (Giling Basah) method, where parchment is removed while the bean retains high moisture (30–40%). This produces the signature heavy body, low acidity, and blue-green bean color that Sumatran arabica is known for.
What is the minimum order quantity for Aceh Gayo Green Bean?
Our standard MOQ is 1 metric ton (approximately 17 bags × 60 kg). For sample lots or smaller trial orders, we offer 20 kg vacuum-sealed boxes with a 500 kg minimum.
Does Aceh Gayo coffee qualify as specialty grade?
Yes. Our Aceh Gayo lots consistently score 83–86 points on the SCA cupping scale with fewer than 5 defects per 350g sample — meeting and exceeding the SCA specialty-grade threshold of 80 points.
Where can I buy Aceh Gayo green beans for export?
You can source Aceh Gayo Green Bean directly from Arjuna Coffee. We handle everything from quality control to export documentation. Contact us via WhatsApp or email info@arjunacoffee.co.id for a quote.
Source Your Next Lot of Aceh Gayo Green Bean Today
Whether you’re a specialty roaster looking for a standout single-origin or a blender seeking a heavy-bodied Sumatran base, Aceh Gayo Green Bean from Arjuna Coffee delivers consistent quality, transparent sourcing, and export-ready logistics. Contact our team today to request a sample or place your 2026 harvest order.