Sulawesi Coffee

Sulawesi coffee is known for its silky body, moderate acidity, and smooth finish.

Respected Gourmet Sulawesi Coffees

The most distinguished Sulawesi coffee (also called Celebes coffee) is Toraja, a multi-dimensional coffee grown in the southeastern highlands and distinguished by its expansive flavor with a full-bodied richness. A good Toraja is well-balanced with undertones of ripe fruit and dark chocolate.

Flavor Profile and Roasting of Sulawesi Toraja Coffee

Toraja coffee tends to have a relatively low-toned yet vibrant acidity, though usually slightly more acidic and with less body than Sumatran coffees and more earthy than Java Arabica.

Like Sumatran coffees, the cup profile of Toraja has been called deep and brooding, with muted fruit notes and rustic sweetness and often a pungent spicy quality. A Dark Roast is recommended.

Sulawesi Toraja Coffee Farming Areas

Sulawesi Toraja coffee is grown at relatively high altitudes on the island of Sulawesi, formerly called Celebes (the Dutch colonial name), located in the middle of the Indonesia’s Malay archipelago. Toraja coffee is also referred to as Celebes. The coffee growing area of Kalossi is located in the country’s southeastern highlands.

Processing of Sulawesi Toraja Coffee

Processing of Toraja coffee is done by the Giling Basah wet-hull method, which produces chaff-free green coffee beans (milled but not yet roasted) with a distinct dark tint. The semi-dry processing, which sometimes leads to uneven roasting, has a significant effect on the character of the brewed coffee.

In some cases the coffee processing creates a hard or musty taste, and sometimes a strong earthiness which is admired by some people though others find it quite unpleasant.

The best Toraja coffees come from the area small farms north of Toraja at higher altitudes. This higher elevation coffee is generally regarded as a finer coffee than the coffee grown in more southern areas at lower elevations.

Sulawesi Coffee and Espresso Brewing Tips

For tips on brewing the perfect cup of Sulawesi coffee see our section on Coffee Brewing. Also see our thorough coverage of the taste profiles of Specialty Coffees from all around the world, and instructions on preparing Espresso Drink Recipes for just about every espresso drink known!

For easy-to-follow instructions see Pulling A Perfect Espresso Shot as well as Barista Guide to Perfect Lattes and Cappuccinos.