SUMATRA @ STARBUCKS COFFEE

Cupping date: 4 and 5 July 2007

Coffeechat: Vino (coffeemaster @ KLCentral) and Mohd Adli (coffeemaster @ KotaRaya)

Sumatra has a full, syrupy body with virtually no acidity - so the coffee's intensity lingers in your mouth. The concentrated spicy, herbal notes and earthy aroma are the telltale signatures of this well-loved coffee.

More about this coffee
The island of Sumatra produces 70% of Indonesia's income and is home to over 38 million people.

I've been very fortunate to have the opportunity to discover myself the difference between coffee by the drip and coffee by the press just one day after another during my last visit to KL Starbucks. Now I am a Press Convert, convinced that the best way to appreciate coffee to its most minute detail, in fact, can only be done, by using the French Press brewing method. For those who do not own a Press yet, it's about time to get one.

PHILOSOFFEE ASSESSMENT

This is probably one of the most honest and straight-forward coffee I've ever cupped. Straight-forward because the flavour is not-at-all complicated. I am actually lost for word in trying to describe this coffee that is so "unmistakably coffee" like "this is what coffee meant to taste like".

The aroma is strong and handsome, giving off a sense of adult's-coffee.. or coffee for the mature minded. The body is so full that it saturates the tastebuds even on the first sip.

One thing fascinating about this coffee is that its heavy-weight character stays consistent throughout the whole cup, not like most others that would turn another spectrum as the coffee cools.

The aftertaste is surprisingly cleaner than I've expected. The boldness of the coffee lingers on pleasantly without being annoyingly bitter.

Aroma 7/10 the first impression suggests that this has got to be the coffee's coffee
Acidity 5-8/10 although the conventional accepted idea states that bold coffee has got low acidity (in fact Starbucks claims that this coffee has got no acidity at all) I felt that the acidity started somewhat low but ended with a higher zing; hitting like a trombone but takes off like a flute
Body 9/10 definitely bold and heavy mouth feel, one that saturates the taste bud upon first contact
Flavour 8/10 earthy, unmistakably

PHILOSOFFEE RECOMMENDATION

The simplicity (or rather straight-forwardness) of the character makes it ideal for someone who is not in the mood to scrutinise or discern the complexity of some other coffee. Like a writer experiencing inspirational constipation, this would be the best choice because it offers enough jolt to sustain wakefullness, but not complicated as to disturb the flow of ideas.

On a less-poetic note, I'd recommend this for after-dinner companion, especially after a heavy meal of meat and spices - this coffee is bold enough to dampen and pacify the bombardment on the tastebuds from dinner, yet straight-forward in character to ease and relax the mind.