Sumatra Organic Mandheling Aceh Sumatra: Organic Mandheling, Aceh

As an avid roaster, I have to note that this particular Sumatra is actually surprisingly sweet. Dropped at 395 on a Hottop, the sweetness was a nice surprise. Love this one!

Received for free in the Intl. Coffee Day Sample Pack (thanks CBC!). I've been wanting to try this, so that was easy. Roasted to Full City+ in an SR800 with extension tube. Took to 30 seconds into 2nd crack, ~ 500°, 9 1/2 minutes to cool cycle. I've read that Sumatran beans are very dense, and take heat well. Wanted a darker roast for this bean, but the roast actually got away from me a little and went slightly darker than I had intended. Still, the flavor of the bean wasn't overwhelmed by the roast. Bold, yet smooth. Earthy, but not scorched earth. Some dark roasts tend to "come up" on me, but this one didn't. Will try again at just slightly less heat and roast time to see how it tastes, but anyone who likes a solid dark roast, so much better than anything commercial, will be really impressed.

Light with clear citrus and earth notes. Solid cup of coffee.

I'm still new to the process of roasting coffee. However, I'm increasingly pleased with the result using the Sumatra Organic Mandehling FTO variety. I find it complex, but not overbearingly so, and somewhat chocolaty. It bears little resemblance to the Sumatra coffees I buy at my neighborhood market.