This new coffee is a bit of a diversion from the norm. I'd seen this coffee on a few roasters lists over the last couple of years and wondered what a natural from Sumatra might be like. I asked from a sample as soon as DR Wakelfield listed the new crop and put it on the cupping table alongside other potential purchases. It was the outstanding coffee of the night. Super clean and juicy sweet. Not your typical natural for sure.

• Estate Name: Wahana Coffee Estate Plantation
• Founded: 2005
• Location: Sidikalang region of North Sumatra
• Altitude: 1300 to 1500 meters
• Varietal: Rasuna
• Grade: 1
• Processing: Sun dried natural process

Wahana Natural comes from the North Sumatra region called Sidikalang, west of volcanic Lake Toba. The Wahana Estate is a large but fastidious and experimental property, where they separate varietals, some of them hybrids unique to Indonesia. The majority of the plantation's production is washed coffee and they have made significant investment in that area. However, this particular coffee is dry processed and is entirely of the Rasuna variety, a hybrid of Catimor and Typica that originated in Sumatra. This new varietal is being planted in Takengon area on 90 hectares of Wahana land. This varietal is grown on the Wahana Estate between 1300 and 1500 meters and all under shade so trees can grow more slowly and naturally.

The farm grows and processes its own coffee and also buys cherries from its neighbours and processes theirs too. Wahana is the only estate in the area which grows the coffee and then processes it up to the stage where it is ready for export. In total the estate exports around 7 to 10 containers per annum. For their naturals, they dry the cherries for 10 days on patios for 8 hours a day, at 50 degrees Celsius.

Wahana states that they observe organic and Rainforest Alliance practices but they are not certified as either at this time. The certification process can take an extended time, so presently this should not be considered official, but rather an indication of the plantations intent. As mentioned previously Wahana is experimental and they also grow some "international seedling varieties" such as Villa Sarchi, Caturra and Catuai all from Costa Rica, and Colombia Typica from Colombia. These are in addition to the local varieties and hybrids such as this Rasuna.