Introduction:The 18-mesh coffee beans produced in Xingxing Town, Gayo District, Aceh Province, are a single-origin choice that pour over enthusiasts should not miss. Grown at an altitude of about 1,300 meters in the Gayo Mountains and carefully cultivated by local indigenous people, the medium roast highlights layered flavors of grapefruit, vanilla, pistachio, and caramel. This article provides a detailed explanation of the definition of 18 mesh, the characteristics of the producing area, the flavor profile, and recommended brewing methods, taking you on a comprehensive journey from origin to cup to fully understand this finely flavored Sumatran coffee.
In Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, Xingxing Town in Gayo District is a treasure land for cultivating high-quality coffee. The 18-mesh coffee beans produced here have received widespread acclaim in the pour over coffee community in recent years. These beans mainly come from the Gayo Mountains around Lake Tawar and are meticulously grown by the indigenous Gayo people at an altitude of approximately 1,300 meters, making it a typical high-altitude premium coffee-producing region.
The so-called "18 mesh" refers to the screening specification of green coffee beans, indicating that the width of the beans is about 0.7 cm, which is considered a medium-to-large bean size. This mesh size not only affects appearance but also has certain implications for the evenness of heat absorption during roasting and the final flavor expression.
The Gayo Mountains where Xingxing Town is located boast fertile volcanic soil and a favorable microclimate. Coupled with the generations of farming experience passed down by the Gayo people, the coffee produced here has a unique terroir character. Especially under a medium roast, its flavor layers can be fully displayed without being masked by excessive roasting, which could otherwise obscure its delicate fruit acidity and aroma.
Roasted to a medium level, this coffee exhibits captivating citrus-like grapefruit aromas, accompanied by a bright fruity tone. Upon closer tasting, one can also detect the mild warmth of vanilla, the nuttiness of pistachio, and a caramel sweetness in the aftertaste. The overall mouthfeel is full-bodied yet refined, making it highly suitable for black coffee drinkers who appreciate complex and well-defined flavor layers.
For pour over enthusiasts, it is recommended to use a medium-fine grind for these 18-mesh medium roast coffee beans, with water temperature controlled between 90–92°C. Using a pour over method such as V60 or Kalita Wave can more fully present its multi-layered aromas and flavors. During brewing, attention can be paid to a two-stage pouring technique: start with a bloom to awaken the coffee grounds, followed by a steady pour rate, which helps achieve balanced flavor release.
When recommending this bean, professional platforms often emphasize its origin details and processing characteristics, including being from Gayo District, Aceh Province, Sumatra, Indonesia; grown at an altitude of about 1,300 meters; and being a single-origin bean cultivated by the indigenous people of the Gayo Mountains. This information not only serves as a reference during tasting but also helps consumers better understand the story and terroir behind the coffee.
In summary, the 18-mesh medium roast coffee beans from Xingxing Town, Gayo District, Aceh Province, are a single-origin coffee that combines regional character with deep flavor complexity. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced pour over enthusiast, you can experience the unique charm of Sumatran coffee and the balance and layering brought by the medium roast process.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
