Forest Damage Impacts the Quality of Gayo Arabica Coffee

Gayo Arabica Coffee is the best coffee in Indonesia which is exported to various countries. This coffee thrives in Central Aceh Regency, Bener Meriah Regency, and Gayo Lues Regency, Aceh Province.

Based on data from the Aceh Agriculture and Plantation Office in 2018, the area of coffee plantations in Central Aceh reached 49,251 hectares, Bener Meriah [46,273 hectares], and Gayo Lues [7,000 hectares]. These three districts can produce around 61,761 tons of coffee every year, which of course comes from community plantations. It is estimated that more than 78,624 households in the Gayo highlands depend on coffee.

Arabica coffee that has been picked red from a tree. Photo by Junaidi Hanafiah / Mongabay Indonesia

However, forest encroachment that occurred in three regencies caused coffee farmers unrest. Rising air temperatures and rapid weather changes, it is feared will have an impact on the declining taste of coffee. Or even crop failure.

Workers appear to separate Arabica coffee beans in a factory in Takengon, Central Aceh District, Aceh Province. Photo by Junaidi Hanafiah / Mongabay Indonesia

According to Surya, the results of research by the International Coffee Organization [ICO] in Central Aceh and Bener Meriah Districts showed that temperatures in the two districts rose to 22 degrees Celsius. "If it continues to rise to 25 degrees, we can be sure, the taste of coffee will go down," he said.

Forest destruction has an impact on the quality and taste of Gayo Arabica Coffee. Photo by Junaidi Hanafiah / Mongabay Indonesia

Source : https://www.mongabay.co.id/2020/02/12/rusaknya-hutan-berdampak-pada-kualitas-kopi-arabika-gayo/