Indonesia Sumatra Sesongot Gayo Rakyat Farm, Anaerobic honey

Discover the Exceptional Sumatra Sesongot Gayo

Introducing an extraordinary coffee from the island of Sumatra—one that captivates with its complexity, craftsmanship, and the inspiring story of the farmer behind it.

The Story of Aulia Kahfi and the Sesongot Caterpillar

This coffee is grown and processed by Aulia Kahfi, a young and ambitious farmer with a lifelong passion for specialty coffee. Although he inherited the Rakyat Farm from his family, the path to coffee was far from straightforward. In his early years, interest in specialty coffee was low, so Aulia made a living mining and selling vesuvianite, a gemstone commonly found near volcanic areas.

Today, Aulia is fully dedicated to coffee and continuously expanding his work. He collects coffee cherries from neighbouring farmers using an old pickup truck or a friend’s car. Both the coffee he grows himself and the cherries he buys are processed directly on his farm. His experimental lots carry the name “Sesongot,” inspired by a beautiful caterpillar endemic to the Gayo region, often found on coffee trees.

Anaerobic Honey — A Rare and Remarkable Process

Aulia achieves his coffee’s unique profile through an elaborate anaerobic honey process. Fully ripe cherries are hand-picked and fermented in several stages. After an initial 24-hour fermentation, soaking, and pulping, the key step follows: a second fermentation lasting 3 to 7 days. The beans, still coated with part of their mucilage, are then dried on raised beds for 12 to 25 days.

This meticulous, multi-phase method results in exceptional complexity and a deeply expressive flavour profile. Aulia’s skill is further proven by his 9th place at the prestigious Sumatra Prestige Cup in 2019.

Indonesia — An Underrated Coffee Powerhouse

Indonesia has a long history of coffee cultivation, yet it has often been overlooked in the world of specialty coffee. Most farms are small—typically 0.5 to 2.5 hectares—and farmers frequently grow coffee alongside vegetables, maize, and fruit, which form a crucial part of their diet.

Indonesia is known for its unique wet-hulling (giling basah) method, originating in Aceh. This technique is widely used because it allows farmers to be paid earlier and reduces risk in the region’s humid and unpredictable climate, which slows drying and makes it more challenging.

Region: Bebesen
Farmer: Aulia Kahpi
Farm: Rakyat Farm
Origin of cherries: Rakyat Farm + approx. 15 neighbouring farmers (average farm size ~1 ha)
Croop: 2025/26
Altitude: 1300 - 1600 m.a.s.l.
Varieties: Abyssinia, Ateng, Caturra, Gayo, Timtim, Typica (Arabica)
Processing: Anaerobic Honey
Grade: Grade 1