From the moment I came to work as a barista at the Boot store in Baarn four years ago, the Sumatra has been one of my favorite coffees. Those intense dark chocolate notes, that creamy sweetness and that soft acidity continue to charm me. As a pure espresso, the sweet, berry flavor notes stand out the most, but combined with milk, the chocolate stands out. Magic!

One of the reasons why the Sumatra is still one of my favorites after four years is that this coffee has actually improved over the years. Our current Sumatra scores a whopping 85 points. The coffee beans we buy from the Ketiara cooperative are hand-sorted not once, not twice, but three times, so that only the very ripest, most beautiful beans end up in our roast. You can taste that!

But besides the fantastic taste, there is another reason why the Sumatra has a special place in my heart. The Ketiara cooperative is an organization that was started in 2008 by a woman and currently consists of more than 70% women. Because these women farmers receive high prices for their coffee, they also have a greater say in the community. The cooperative organizes various projects that serve the local community. These include training on the use of organic fertilizers as well as fitness classes for women. I find it so special that there are such initiatives in a world where women, despite their hard work, are still far too often (financially) disadvantaged and lack a say.

The Ketiara cooperative is also very conscious in other areas. The coffee plants grow in the shade of trees such as banana, avocado and orange trees. This protects the local eco-system, the coffee plants use less water and CO2 emissions are offset. Ketiara coffee is certified organic and Fairtrade. In short: a textbook example of how things can be done differently! That gives hope for the future.

But back to the taste. In my experience, it's best not to let the Sumatra brew for too long as an espresso, otherwise you'll miss the sweetness and the bitters will dominate. At 23 seconds, it shines at its best. Don't dose too high so that the different layers of flavor get enough space. On the La Marzocco in our Boot store, I prefer to brew it with 18 grams of ground coffee in and 42/43 grams of espresso out.

Finally, for those who like a somewhat stronger pot of filter coffee with the pleasant bitters of dark chocolate, our Sumatra filter is also a very good choice. Perfect to end the year with. Quickly order your pack of Sumatra for the holidays here!