Aceh coffee originated from the Netherlands brought by a Dutch businessman in the XVII century through Batavia (now Jakarta) and then into Aceh. The first coffee introduced was Arabica type coffee which later developed with a more diverse type.
In the world, coffee can be divided into 2 groups by type, namely Arabica coffee and Robusta coffee. In Aceh these two types of coffee are cultivated by the local community. Arabica coffee is commonly cultivated in the highlands of Gayo Land, including Takengon, Southeast Aceh, and Gayo Lues. While in Pidie (mainly Tangse and Geumpang) and Aceh Barat, people prefer to develop Robusta coffee.
Aceh's lush natural conditions, combined with favorable weather, have made Aceh's coffee plants thrive into a high-quality, profitable commodity. Indonesia is the world's fourth largest exporter of coffee beans, and Aceh is one of the largest coffee producers capable of producing about 40% of the premium Arabica beans of total coffee harvest in Indonesia.
Ulee Kareng Coffee
Ulee Kareeng is one of the sub-districts of Banda Aceh, the capital of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam Province. Ulee Kareng is famous for its Ulee Kareng coffee. Many say if you have not stopped by and tasted coffee at one of the coffee shops in Ulee Kareng, then you have not completed your trip in the city of Banda Aceh. One of the other characteristics of Ulee Kareng coffee is its very dark color.
Ulee Kareng coffee beans are produced from selected quality coffee beans from Lamno, Aceh Jaya District. The coffee beans are produced by small and medium enterprises. By the locals, this high-quality coffee powder is then uniquely processed, from grinding to filtering to a cup in a separate way. This is why Aceh coffee, especially coffee Ulee Kareng is then transformed into an icon of Aceh itself. The awesomeness of Aceh's coffee aroma has long been legendary in Indonesia, and is now also worldwide thanks to the large number of coffee lovers from international workers who came and lived in Aceh for many years to reconstruct Aceh after the tsunami.