Is Indocafe Sumatra Freeze-Dried Coffee Good?

A few days ago, I came across Infocafe’s Sumatra Freeze-Dried Coffee on a shelf of a supermarket.

I had never tried Sumatra beans before, so my first instinct was to buy them because I’m always trying new coffee varieties.

It was an instant freeze-dried coffee from Indonesia, and since Indonesia is a rapidly growing coffee market, I knew this was a good decision. 

These Indocafe coffee beans are harvested from the famous Sumatra Mandheling mountain regions of Indonesia.

You must be thinking: What is Sumatra coffee?

Sumatra coffee is a coffee variety famous for its low acidity, herbal aroma and rich flavour. 

It’s one of the most popular coffees in the world and a favourite among people with a refined palate. 

Now you can feel my curiosity about an instant Sumatra bean coffee sourced from the Mandheling Sumatra Mountain.

I brought the jar home and was wildly excited to try it first thing in the morning (because that’s when I enjoy coffee the most).

I wanted to know what Sumatra coffee tastes like and see if it works well in a flat white or cappuccino.

Let’s dive directly into the review. Indocafe Sumatra freeze-dried coffee. 

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Indocafe Sumatra Freeze-Dried Coffee Review

I first opened the jar and the seal to smell the aroma, because that’s the best part of coffee, isn’t it?

Indocafe Sumatra Coffee Aroma

Aroma is the fragrance of coffee (how it smells dry and how it smells while wet or brewing). It is one of the main components of coffee, and it plays an important role in how you taste coffee. 

So when you’re tasting a cup, aroma tells you a lot about how it’s going to taste. 

I opened and smelled the coffee.

Its aroma was like coffee, of course, but more earthy and grounded.

And once I added some hot water over it, the aroma turned sharp, bright and spicy.

It was a promising sign that it was going to be a great experience.

Indocafe Sumatra Coffee Roast

Coffee roasts are of three types: light, medium and dark.

If you’re unfamiliar with coffee roasts and coffee roasting, check out my article on Coffee Roasting Explained.

Sumatra coffee beans are mostly roasted dark.

The colour indicated that it’s a light to medium roast.

The Indocafe company usually roasts their coffee to a dark roast.

But…

As a dark roast girlie, I could feel that it wasn’t a dark roast.

However, I didn’t overthink it and started with the brewing process.

Indocafe Sumatra Coffee Taste

I added one teaspoon of coffee (as written in the instructions) and poured hot water over it.

I got my milk frothing wand to blend the coffee and water smoothly, making it foamy and creamy.

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I gave the cup a swirl and took one sip to get to know the flavour a bit without any additives.

It was a little bright, a little spicy and sharp. 

Overall, it was not bitter but certainly had more than one spice’s flavors. I couldn’t pinpoint one spice’s flavor, so I chalked it up as complex (which is a good thing as well).

Adding Milk/Creamer

Once I added the milk to the coffee, the coffee turned a bit white. 

I realized that maybe I had added more milk than required.

Or the one teaspoon on the instructions is a mistake, and they misprinted it instead of a tablespoon. 

So I added one more teaspoon of coffee and blended it with my milk frother wand.

It turned out okay.

But made me realize that I was correct that it was a light to medium roast, and not a dark roast.

It couldn’t hold the milk properly.

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It was an okay cup, not something unforgettable or awe-inspiring, just okay.

So naturally, my first cup of Indocafe’s freeze-dried coffee experience wasn’t good.

It was a bit disappointing.

So in the evening, I made another one to properly brew one and see if I liked it, and I didn’t want to review it without understanding it properly.

Second Cup of Indocafe’s Sumatra Freeze-Dried Coffee

This time around, I made it the way I usually make my instant coffee.

So here’s the full instructions guide so you don’t end up with a bad coffee as I did:

• Step 1: I added a full tablespoon of instant coffee grounds to my cup. (If you want to add sugar, add it here.)
• Step 2: 40ml of hot water, I poured onto them. (The grounds dissolved instantly.)
• Step 3: I blended it with my milk frother until it was foamy.
• Step 4: Then, I added 30-40ml cold milk.
• Step 5: And, blended them smoothly together.

After giving it one swirl, I had my first sip.

The flavor burst on my tongue: smooth, sweet and spicy but complex.

Complexity is good. It was unique.

Not like something I have tasted before.

Definitely, a difference from the usual Robusta+Arabica blends I drink.

Balance of Indocafe Coffee

The balance in a coffee is the consistent taste in all cups, and consistency between the aroma, mouthfeel, flavor, and aftertaste.

So Indocafe coffee has that balance and smooth mouthfeel that I like in a coffee.

Every time the flavor, mouthfeel, and aroma were consistent, I liked its balance.

Aftertaste of Indocafe Coffee 

The aftertaste is the notes, flavour that linger on your tongue long after the coffee is finished. 

Sometimes, it makes your mouth dry and leaves a bitter taste, which is a sign of bad coffee.

The Indocafe Freeze-Dried leaves a sweet taste and a lingering earthy flavour in your mouth. 

Who Should Buy It?

If you want convenience with an instant coffee, or you’re looking to try a different coffee than your usual, then Sumatra Freeze-Dried Coffee is a nice change.

The earthy aroma and the unique flavor are good, and also if you’re a fan of medium to dark roast in instant coffee, this is a good choice.

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My reviews – Honest Verdict

I couldn’t decide on one or two cups. So I made my third one, and fourth, fifth, and so on…

Overall, it was a good cup. 

• Aroma is good.
• Flavour is good.
• Balance is exceptional.

However, I’m disappointed in the coffee roast.

But it could be a me problem rather than an Indocafe problem.

Because I’m used to that burnt dark roast that holds in a flat white or cappuccino. 

This is making a good coffee, but next time I buy a coffee based on its variety, I’m going to choose a burnt dark roast.

So if you like your roast medium to dark, Indocafe’s Sumatra freeze-dried coffee could be your choice.

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Some Sumatra Coffee Facts 

• Sumatra is an Indonesian island with fertile volcanic soil like Mandheling and Gayo. 
• Sumatra beans are from the Arabica species. 
• It has a bold, heavy body.
• Sumara coffee has low acidity, making it ideal for people with acid reflux. 
• Its flavor is described as chocolaty, spicy, earthy, and herbal.

Sumatra Coffee FAQS

What does Sumatra coffee mean?

It’s a coffee originating from the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Hence, it’s called Sumatra. It’s known for its low acidity, full-bodied profile and earthy flavor.

Does Sumatra coffee have caffeine?

Yes, Sumatra coffee has caffeine. It’s at moderate levels, and it also depends on the roast level the coffee is at. The dark roast has the lowest, while the light roast has the highest caffeine. Sumatra coffee has lower caffeine than the robusta beans.

How much caffeine is in Sumatra coffee?

Sumatra coffee has about 95–200mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup. However, variations occur due to roast level, brewing method and bean quality.