Java Dadar

Most of the Java Island coffee is grown on government estates, but Dadar is a private co-op of farmers, which allows the coffee to be organic certified and rainforest alliance certified. Of course, this comes at a price. Taman Dadar Estate Organic Java is the most expensive coffee grown on the island. "Taman Dadar" means "Flower Garden" and is the nickname for the area. This co-op is in the Eastern side of the island, including the villages of Curah Tatal and Kayumas. The coffee is packed in a grain-pro back to keep it from aging or picking up undesirable flavors.

In a medium roast, it's nice but not particularly memorable. Just at 2nd cracks you have good body, sweet, smooth, a little chocolate, nothing wrong here. You can blend with it, or drink it straight. But as a dark roast, it's a little more interesting. About 20 seconds of 2nd cracks and you have a molasses sweetness and a really fun spiciness. Still not bitter, no offensive flavors, very smooth, very thick body so its satisfying to drink. Not earthy like a Sumatra. No bitterness or burnt flavors until you hit about a minute of 2nd cracks. At that point, you're going to need some cream to mellow it out.

In short, this is by far more interesting of a Java bean than most. But it's not as chocolatey as some years. But it definitely holds its own and makes a fun alternative to the classic Sumatra dark roast.

US Arrival December 2017