Bali Kintamani Natural Organic
Complex, sweet, rich...This coffee is from the same producers of our popular Bali Blue Moon. It's the exact same coffee except natural processed! Try them side by side for maximum effect. This natural version features the same big, rich body with sweet, intense notes of strawberry, raspberry, orange & cane sugar. It still has the earthy complexity with notes of baking spices like nutmeg and clove and leaves you with a lingering finish.
In a moment we'll start with the description, but right now you need to order this coffee and some of the Bali Blue Moon. The Kintamani and Blue Moon start off from the same crop, but are processed differently. The difference in the final cup is stunning. This is one of the very few coffees we know of that will allow you to taste the difference processing methods can make using the same beans. We think you'll find two very distinct, very different, and very pleasing cups. Ok, onward to the review!
This coffee is sourced from family-owned farms located in the Kintamani highlands on the island province of Bali, Indonesia. Coffee is grown in the volcanic soils of Mount Agung along with citrus trees that provide shade and another source of income. Coffee production is typically organized around a Subak Abian, which refers to the ecologically sustainable irrigation systems developed more than 1,000 years ago by Hindu priests who practice Tri Hita Karana (the three sources of prosperity), a philosophy focused on the harmonization between the environment, humans and God. The idea of a natural processed coffee was suggested to address an issue of water scarcity. It was an easy step to drying whole ripe cherries given that raised beds were already used for drying parchment. The project has been fully implemented and the results have been exceptional.
Natural (dry) processing adds layers of complexity to coffee. Some people find that distracting, while others (ourselves included) find it exciting and intriguing. The Indonesian character is still evident with the relative earthiness and rich body, but with the natural processing you’ll get more fruitiness coming through with notes of strawberry, raspberry and a little bit of orange. You’ll also notice a subtle hint of baking spices, like nutmeg and clove. Along with the fruitiness of the coffee, there is a sweetness like cane sugar coming through the cup. The cup has a smooth, velvety texture and pleasant, lingering finish. Once again, give them both a try side by side, you won't regret it!
Reminder! This coffee is raw, you must roast it before brewing
Arrival Date: July 26th, 2023. US Arrival December 2022, Packed in Grain Pro
Acidity & Brightness: Moderately bright and sweet
Balance & Finish: Complex with a lingering finish
Body & Texture: Full-bodied, velvety texture
Flavors: Strawberry, raspberry, orange, cane sugar & baking spices
Grade: Very hard and dense, grown at 1300-1700 meters
Certifications: Organic
Processing: Natural (Dry) Processed, dried on patios
Grower: Coffee producers organized through Subak Abian (SA) a traditional structure of farmer organization in upland Bali
Region: Kintamani Highlands of Central Bali, Indonesia
Varieties: Bourbon and Typica
Recommended Roast Range: City+ to Full City+ (Light-medium to medium-dark)
Start at Full City (medium, right at the very beginning of second crack) and work your way darker if you like. Darker will bring out stronger notes of cocoa, lighter roasts will lend to more juicy sweetness. This coffee roasts very evenly for a natural process! However, expect a very quiet first crack which can sneak up on you.
Royal New York - "The eruption of the Gunung Agung Volcano in 1963 caused a delay in the progress of modern-day coffee cultivation in Indonesia, causing the government to enact programs in the 1970’s and 1980’s to help rejuvenate coffee production. With the distribution of coffee seedlings to local farmers, an island-wide coffee growing campaign in Bali began. Today, the coffee growing area in Bali is an estimated 7,500 hectares. The Kintamani highlands, where most coffee is grown, sits atop a large volcanic plateau between 1,300-1,700 meters above sea level. Coffee tree varieties include a high percentage of Bourbon and Typica, along with shade trees such as Erythrina, Albizia, tangerine and orange. The use of pesticides is prohibited on Bali and all fertilizers are 100% organic. The Subak Abian is a traditional farming structure organization in Bali, similar to a farmer cooperative. There are 13 different Subak Abians that are currently growing and processing coffee. The “SA” oversee both agricultural technology and religious activities. The promotion of improved coffee growing practices is expected to enhance not only agricultural technology but social and economic standing in Bali as well.”
