Flavor Profile: Intense, chocolate, black currant, and spicy.

Brewing Methods: (Quick) filter, French press, iced, and slow.

Meet the coffee farmer:
Coffee Farmer: The Ketiara cooperative, led by Chairwoman Rahmah, with a focus on sustainable agriculture.
Coffee: Indonesia Sumatra Ketiara
Plantation: Kopepi Ketiara
Location: Indonesia, Takengon, Sumatra. Village: Blang Panas

The coffee farmer
Chairwoman Rahmah is the driving force behind the Ketiara cooperative in Takengon, Sumatra. She founded the cooperative in 2008. Of the more than 1,100 members, 70% are women. Rahmah pays her members above market price and sets up community projects, funded by Fairtrade premiums, that give farmers access to more modern resources and better transportation. Equality and sustainability are central to Ketiara.

When the region was struck by a disaster, Rahmah demonstrated what true leadership means: she stood by her farmers and the community. It is precisely this attitude that makes Ketiara a partner that aligns with what BOOT stands for.

In November 2025, Rick visited the coffee farmers of the Hutan Project to better understand production and strengthen the partnership. He observed the sustainable production methods, the role of Fairtrade premiums, and challenges such as climate change and infrastructure.

Ketiara works with more than 20 villages. Rick visited 19 of them and tasted the coffee repeatedly on site. He brought back more than 10 kilograms of samples to find the best flavor profile for BOOT—a significant challenge due to the disaster that struck the region (read our blog post). From all that research, one bean stood out—from the village of Blang Panas. We are proud to introduce this coffee.

The producer and the coffee
The Ketiara plantation in Takengon, Sumatra, is located in the Gayo Mountains, a place where sustainability and biodiversity are central. The coffee bushes grow in the shade of banana, orange, and avocado trees. This not only provides protection but also generates additional income for the farmers. In addition to coffee, the plantation also produces cinnamon, jackfruit, and other crops that are sold at local markets. The farm has been family-owned for generations and is committed to preserving the natural environment. Thanks to projects such as the Hutan program, the farm is continuously being modernized and improved.

Organization
The Ketiara Cooperative in Aceh, Sumatra, is a well-managed organization led by Chairwoman Rahmah, who is committed to sustainable and fair coffee production. For the Hutan project—which means “forest” in Bahasa—Ketiara is working to protect the Leuser ecosystem and promote a better balance within it. Instead of partnering with NGOs, Rahmah has chosen to manage the project internally, with a focus on planting trees on farms. This encourages farmers to remain involved, as they personally benefit from the yield of fruit and shade trees.

Downloads:

BOOT Coffee Brew Guide (PDF)