Sulawesi Toraja
The history of coffee cultivation in the northern parts of South Sulawesi is a mystery. It is not known when the inhabitants started to cultivate coffee and how coffee arrived. It's only known that coffee was cultivated well before the Colonial period, hundreds of years ago. The most famous part of the coffee area in Sulawesi (previously called Celebes) is Toraja, which is the center of the coffee production area and located near the highest points of the Sesean Mountains. Torajan people are descendants of Indochinese (possibly Cambodian) oceanic traders who crossed the sea to settle in the Sulawesi highlands and take up agriculture. They are a very independent ethnic group which has managed to maintain their cultural identity, reflected in their language, social manners and religion, called Aluk To Dolo, the way of the Ancestors. They build their homes, called Tongkonan, in the shape of their original boats. Great craftsmanship and eye for detail is noticeable in these buildings. This detail and precision is also reflected in their coffee crop. Toraja is known for producing one of the best Arabica coffees in the world and is grown on the island of Sulawesi. Until the late 1980's, the entire annual crop amounted to 400 tons Toraja and 200 tons Rantepao.
Altitude: 4200-5700 feet
Variety: Bourbon, Pacas, Pacamara
Processing Method: Washed
Grade: Strictly Hard Bean
Species: Arabica
Harvest: May to October
Cup Characteristics: Full rich body, low acidity, spicy, sweet and smoky