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“Coffee Wine” and Crazy Fermentation: When Coffee Isn't Just Bitter

IT DMK Cargo
Aug 13
2 min read

Imagine you're sipping coffee, but what you taste isn't just bitter and sour. Instead, your tongue is greeted by red fruit flavors, wine aromas, and an aftertaste like a freshly opened bottle of expensive wine. Not wine, not juice, but... coffee.

This is the world of fermented coffee, specifically coffee wine, a new trend that is taking coffee lovers in Indonesia and around the world by storm.

But wait a minute. What exactly is coffee wine? Why is everyone from baristas to coffee connoisseurs to coffee farmers talking about fermentation? And... is this just a passing fad, or a true revolution of taste?

Wine Coffee is NOT Alcoholic Coffee

Relax, you won't get drunk. Despite the name “wine”, this coffee contains absolutely no alcohol. It's called wine because it has similar flavor characteristics to wine: fruity, sweet, complex, and sometimes floral. The difference lies in the unique fermentation process that produces these flavors.

Usually, coffee is washed and dried immediately after harvest. But in coffee wine, the beans are left to undergo controlled fermentation for weeks, even up to 2-3 months. The result? An explosive aroma and flavor.

Coffee Fermentation: Art and Science Collide

Coffee fermentation techniques are evolving fast. From natural long fermentation to more modern ones like:

Anaerobic Fermentation - Coffee beans are kept in airtight tanks for 15 to 25 days. This process produces flavors of passion fruit, red berries, and sometimes an enticing floral touch.
Carbonic Maceration - This technique is inspired by the wine-making process. Whole coffee pods are put into a tank of CO₂ to trigger fermentation. The end result can bring out flavors like red wine, rum, and even whisky.

Indonesia Joins the Innovation

This trend is not only happening in Colombia or Ethiopia. Indonesian coffee farmers are also innovating. From Gayo, Kintamani, to Toraja, they are starting to experiment with various fermentation techniques: natural wine, anaerobic wine, even using yeast from dragon fruit and pineapple skins.

Some local roasters such as Sensa Koffie, Kopi Tuya, and Tanamera have produced limited edition lots using these techniques.

Why are many people enamored with coffee wine?

Simply because it is unlike any other coffee and wine coffee offers a completely different experience. Each sip brings surprises that are not present in the taste of regular coffee.