Java 'Dutch Estate' Coffee

Many Americans use the slang term Java for coffee in general, not knowing the amazing history behind the word or that the term actually means coffee grown on the island of Java , the largest island in Indonesia.

The island of Java has certainly had their share of rough times breaking into coffee cultivation. In 1696 the Bergermeister of Amsterdam, Nicolaas Witson, suggested that coffee seeds be taken to Java, since France was having no luck growing coffee near Dijon, an area with cold winters and freezing fog, and it could only be grown in heated glass houses in the Netherlands. Seeds were originally planted in Batavia but were washed away. Three years later trees were again planted in Java, in a new location, and this time they were successfully planted. Coffee had been a very guarded commodity in the Arab countries, now that this was the first successful European plantation, and it rather had sizeable... read more >>

Many Americans use the slang term "Java" for coffee in general, not knowing the amazing history behind the word or that the term actually means "coffee grown on the island of Java", the largest island in Indonesia.

The island of Java has certainly had their share of rough times breaking into coffee cultivation. In 1696 the Bergermeister of Amsterdam, Nicolaas Witson, suggested that coffee seeds be taken to Java, since France was having no luck growing coffee near Dijon, an area with cold winters and freezing fog, and it could only be grown in heated glass houses in the Netherlands. Seeds were originally planted in Batavia but were washed away. Three years later trees were again planted in Java, in a new location, and this time they were successfully planted. Coffee had been a very guarded commodity in the Arab countries, now that this was the first successful European plantation, and it rather had sizeable profits, it piqued a lot of interest and coffee cultivation began it's quick spread through out Europe. Unfortunately, that wasn't the end of Java's difficulty with coffee growing. At one point Java was the world leader in the production of coffee, but then in the 1800's due to rust disease they were almost completely wiped out of coffee plants once again. The Dutch recovered by replacing the Arabica plants with disease resistant beans called Liberica. Although most of the beans planted today are Robusta and Arabica, Arabica still only accounts for 10% of the coffee bean export.

You will find Java Dutch Estate's finest golden beans are roasted to yield a piquant aroma. Dutch Estates wet-processed beans displays an exquisite acid balance, a heavy body with hints of chocolate-like undertones with a quicker finish than Sumatran coffee and it promises a sweet overall impression. Grown in volcanic soil at about 4500 feet, these beans offer a very distinctive flavor. You will find these choice beans are many times mixed with beans from other parts of the world to create unique blends such as the well-loved Mocha Java blend.

Coffee is not only Java's primary agricultural export, but it is also deeply woven in to the fabric of the community. Upon entering a home in Java you will be handed a cup of freshly roasted coffee before you are even given the chance to ask for one. That is a custom I am certainly in favor of spreading, and it reminds me of a great Turkish proverb that says, "A cup of coffee commits one to forty years of friendship."

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