Coffee from Java

Java is the most heavily populated and important island of Indonesia. Although it occupies less than one-fifteenth of the land area of Indonesia, Java has influenced the history and culture of the whole region. The civilization of the region reached a high point in Hindu times between A.D. 900's and the 1400's, and its cultural influence affected the other islands. Since the Dutch colonial period started in the 1600's, Java has been the centre of political power for Indonesia.

Indeed it was the Dutch who planted the first arabica trees in Java early in coffee history, and before the rust disease virtually wiped out the industry, Java led the world in coffee production. Most of this early acreage has been replaced by disease-resistant robusta, but, under the sponsorship of the Indonesian government, arabica has made a modest comeback on several of the old estates originally established by the Dutch.

Java, like New Guinea, shares the low-toned richness of the other Indonesian and New Guinea coffees, but tends to be more obviously acidy, a bit lighter in body, and quicker to finish. Lurking in the acidity is a slight smoky or spicy twist.

Of the revived "old" estates that provide most of the good Java arabica, Djampit is the source of the best Java coffee. We find that Java procides a roundness to the taste of coffee.

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