Indonesia Java A 40% light breaking Cacao Cocoa Beans 1kg

Region and Country

Kalibaru, Jember and Masang, Java, Indonesia

Story

The state-owned company who produces this cocoa – PTPN XII – manages around 34 agricultural plantations with a total area of 80.000 hectares spread throughout East Java. Of these plantations, 15 are used for cocoa cultivation. Other crops include rubber, coffee, sugarcane, and tea. The objective of PTPN XII is to improve farming communities’ livelihoods. In addition to managing the plantations, they also develop agrotourism as a value-adding business activity.

Light breaking beans can be recognized by the light to medium brown colour of the cotyledon when cut. It is known in the local market as Java A light breaking and is offered as two types: 80% and 40%, indicating the percentage of light beans in the mix.

Harvest

June – July (main crop) December – January (mid-crop)

Genetics

Java A is a product of Trinitario-Criollo clones developed in the beginning of the 20th century and contain a strong Criollo presence.

Post Harvesting Process

The classification process to sort light breaking from dark breaking beans is very labour intensive. Three beans from each pod are cut to determine the percentage of light beans per pod. Once dark beans are separated from light beans, they are fermented separately in wooden boxes during a four-day period. The beans are dried in the sun during drier periods and are artificially dried during the rainy season.

Flavour

Light body with citrus acidity and strong flavours of leather, smoke, and tobacco.