10 Best Sumatra Coffee Beans in 2024

As a former coffee barista, Sumatra is one of my favorite types of beans.

My top choice for Sumatra coffees is the AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee. It’s inexpensive, has a great dark roast level, and offers unique tasting notes that go well with any type of brew. 

Amazon Fresh Whole Bean Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile:
  • Rich, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnut
• Available In: 10 oz bag
• Type: Ground, Medium Grind
• Price: $$
• Origin: Multi-origin, Central and South America
• Organic: USDA Certified Organic

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However, you might prefer a different brand or roast level. That’s expected. We all have differing tastes. 

To cover most preferences, I compiled a list of the top 10 Sumatra coffees to help you find the best one for you. 

So let’s get started. 

Top 10 Sumatra Coffees

1. AmazonFresh Organic Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee – Best Overall
2. Aldecoa 2 LB Whole Bean Coffee, Sumatra – Runner-up 
3. Coffee Bean Direct Decaf Dark Sumatra – Best Decaf
4. Sumatra Mandheling Coffee – Best Medium Roast
5. Copper Moon Sumatra Blend – Best Dark Roast
6. Java Planet Sumatra – Best for Low Acid
7. Starbucks Dark Roast Whole Bean — Sumatra– Best Starbucks Coffee
8. The Organic Coffee Co. – Sumatra Mandheling – Best Organic
9. Kirkland Signature Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee – Best at Costco
10. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Sumatra Reserve – Best Budget

10 Best Sumatra Coffees in 2023

1. AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra – Best Overall

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Earthy and spicy
Available In	12 ounce bag
Best for	French press, espresso, and cold brew
Type	Whole bean
Price	$
Origin	Single-origin, Sumatra
Organic	USDA Organic

AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast is the best Sumatra coffee because of its fantastic tasting notes, organic certification, and affordable price. 

It is a whole bean coffee and is best for those who prefer to grind their own beans. 

As a dark roast, it goes well with French press, espresso, and cold brews the best. However, you can use it with other brewing methods as well. 

Compared to other Sumatra coffees, this AmazonFresh coffee is much more affordable. Especially considering it is both Fairtrade and USDA Organic Certified. 

This means the farms that grow this coffee use fair labor practices and ethical growing procedures. It also means the farms don’t use any harmful pesticides. 

This coffee is considered a single-origin coffee, coming from Sumatra island in Indonesia. However, it is unclear if the beans come from one farm or many. 

Although I, and many reviewers, love the taste of this coffee, some find it too acidic and/or burnt-tasting. However, they may be brewing it wrong. 

Is this AmazonFresh coffee not your style? Perhaps our runner-up, the Aldecoa 2 LB Whole Bean, Sumatra Coffee is. 

2. Aldecoa 2 LB Whole Bean Coffee, Sumatra – Runner-up 

Roast	Medium Roast
Flavor profile	Cocao
Available In	2 lb bag
Best for	Drip coffee machines, cold brew
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$
Origin	Single Origin, Sumatra
Organic	N/A

The Aldecoa Whole Bean Sumatra Coffee is our runner-up because of its great cacao flavors, pleasant aromas, and high quality. 

It is a whole bean, medium roast coffee, making it a good choice for those who want to brew drip coffee and cold brew. 

However, since it is a whole bean coffee, you have to grind it yourself to the correct grind size. For example, most drip machines need a medium grind size. 

This means you’ll have more preparation and clean up, but you’ll have fresher coffee. Not to mention the pleasant aromas it will add to your home. 

One downside is that this coffee is more expensive than other whole bean coffees. However, you do get a fair amount of beans, 2 pounds to be exact. 

And while a large size is great for couples or families that drink a lot of coffee, it may be too much for some people to use before it starts to get stale. 

In that case, you can vacuum seal and freeze half of the beans like I do. This preserves them for longer. 

One benefit that sets this coffee apart from others is its high quality. It is small batch roasted by hand to ensure quality and satisfaction. 

Looking for a decaf Sumatra coffee instead? We’ve got you covered with the Coffee Bean Direct Decaf Dark Sumatra, Whole Bean Coffee coming up next. 

3. Coffee Bean Direct Decaf Dark Sumatra, Whole Bean Coffee – Best Decaf

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Chocolate
Available In	5 pound bag
Best for	Pour over, drip coffee, cold brew, French press
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$$
Origin	Single Origin, Sumatra
Organic	N/A

The Coffee Bean Direct Decaf Dark Sumatra, Whole Bean Coffee is the best decaf coffee because of its smooth texture, great flavors, and low acidity. 

It is best for decaf coffee drinkers who want a well-balanced cup of dark roast coffee with zero caffeine content and low acid. 

These coffee beans go well with drip machines, pour-over, French press, and cold brew brewing methods. 

However, you need to make sure you grind it to the right size for each. I.e., medium grind for drip machines and pour-over and coarse grind for French presses and cold brews. 

For the amount of coffee you get, this Coffee Bean Direct decaf coffee is fairly priced. However, 5 pounds is an overwhelming amount of coffee. 

Even a family full of coffee addicts wouldn’t be able to finish a full bag before it goes bad. However, this would be a great option for cafeterias and restaurants. 

Or, as I mentioned earlier, you can vacuum seal and freeze some of the beans to keep them fresh. 

Want to try a great medium roast Sumatra coffee instead? The Sumatra Mandheling Coffee, Medium Roast coffee is my recommendation. 

4. Sumatra Mandheling Coffee, Medium Roast, Whole Bean – Best Medium Roast

Roast	Medium roast
Flavor profile	Toffee, lemongrass, and dried fruit
Available In	16 ounce bag
Best for	Drip machines, pour over, cold brew
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra (various small farms)
Organic	N/A

The Sumatra Mandheling Coffee, Medium Roast, Whole Bean coffee is the best medium roast coffee because of its high-quality, chocolate tasting notes, and low acidity. 

It is a great choice for coffee drinkers who want a bold and unique medium roast. 

Along with its chocolate flavor, it has tasting notes of toffee, lemongrass, and dried fruit with earthy undertones that provide a unique and pleasant tasting experience. 

That said, you will pay a premium for this coffee. It is priced 10–20% higher than other options on this list.

However, it is of such high quality that this price is justified. 

Another downside is that this Volcanica coffee is too strong for some. I somewhat agree; it is stronger than the average medium roast. 

But you can just use a bit less grounds if that bothers you. 

Privy to dark roasts instead? In that case, you might like the Copper Moon Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, Sumatra Blend 

5. Copper Moon Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, Sumatra Blend – Best Dark Roast

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Herbal notes
Available In	2 lb bag
Best for	French press, cold brew, espresso
Type	Whole bean
Price	$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	N/A

The Copper Moon Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, Sumatra Blend is the best dark roast Sumatra coffee because of its herbal tasting notes, sustainable coffee sourcing program, and uniquely smooth and smoky texture. 

It is best for coffee drinkers who prefer the strength of dark roasts without the bitterness that some dark roasts have. 

It is a whole bean coffee, which means you will have to grind it yourself. 

This gives you the advantage of being able to grind it for use with several brewing methods. I recommend it for French presses, espressos, drip machines, and cold brews.

However, grinding the beans yourself adds preparation and cleanup work. 

Compared to other whole bean Sumatra coffees, this Copper Moon dark roast is competitively priced. 

It’s not the most inexpensive option on the market, but you get what you pay for. 

One way this coffee stands out is its unique sourcing program– Cooper Moon Rising. This program focuses on positive social, economic, and environmental impacts. 

If Cooper Moon doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, perhaps the Copper Moon Whole Bean Coffee, Dark Roast, Sumatra Blend up next does. 

6. Java Planet Organic – Best for Low Acid

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Chocolate and earthy
Available In	1 lb bag
Best for	French press, cold brew, pour over
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	USDA Organic

The ava Planet Organic, Sumatra Single Origin Dark Roast, Smooth Full Flavored Organic, Whole Bean Coffee is the best low-acid coffee because of its low acidity, unique flavors, and smooth texture. 

It is a dark roast, making it a great choice for coffee drinkers who prefer brewing French presses, cold brew, and pour-over coffee. 

However, you can use this whole bean coffee for any brewing method as long as you grind it to the right size. 

Along with its unique earthly and chocolate tasting notes, this coffee has an extremely low acidity, making it smooth and easy to drink. 

Compared to other whole bean coffees from Sumatra, this Java Planet Organic dark roast is more expensive. 

However, it does taste great and is USDA-Certified Organic, making the extra couple of bucks worth it. 

Besides being organic, this coffee uses sustainable growing practices that protect the local wildlife and environment. 

Prefer something more mainstream instead? In that case, the Starbucks ​​Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee — Sumatra coffee should be right up your alley. 

7. Starbucks Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee — Sumatra – Best Starbucks

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Rich herbs and rustic spice
Available In	18 oz bag
Best for	Drip coffee, pour over, cold brew
Type	Ground, medium grind size
Price	$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	N/A

The Starbucks Dark Roast Whole Bean Coffee — Sumatra coffee is the best Starbucks coffee because of its great roast level, smooth texture, and unique rich herb and rustic spice tasting notes. 

It is best for coffee drinkers who prefer dark roasts and have a passion for Starbucks. 

You can get it at most grocery stores, online marketplaces like Amazon, and at your local Starbucks. 

Hint: if you buy it from Starbucks, you can get more Stars in your Starbucks rewards. 

Compared to other Sumatra coffees, this Starbucks dark roast is surprisingly affordable. Especially when you compare it to other blends from Starbucks. 

Like other options on this list, Starbucks sources these beans from the Sumatra island in Indonesia. And like all Starbucks coffee, the farms use ethical growing practices. 

This is pre-ground coffee with a medium grind size, meaning you won’t have to grind it yourself. 

However, this limits using it with drip machines, pour-over brewers, and some cold brew methods. But it saves you prep and cleanup time. 

One downside is that some reviewers found this coffee lacking in flavor. However, I don’t agree with those reviews, as I found it plenty flavorful. 

Looking for an organic Sumatra coffee instead? The Organic Coffee Co. Whole Bean Coffee – Sumatra Mandheling is the best choice.  

8. The Organic Coffee Co. Whole Bean Coffee – Best Organic

Roast	Medium roast
Flavor profile	Chocolate, cinnamon spice, and cherry
Available In	2 lb bag
Best for	Drip machines, pour-over, cold brews
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	USDA organic

The Organic Coffee Co. Whole Bean Coffee – Sumatra Mandheling is the best organic coffee because of its  USDA-Certified Organic certified, expert roasting process, and great taste. 

It is a medium roast coffee that is best for coffee drinkers who prefer making drip coffee, pour-over, and/or cold brews. 

However, you can use it for any brewing method you like. Just grind these whole beans to the correct grind size depending on the method you choose. 

Compared to other whole bean coffees from Sumatra, this medium roast costs about average. 

One benefit of ‌Organic Coffee Co. whole bean coffee is its highly quality roasting process. 

The company’s artisan roasting process provides a consistent roast level and flavor. 

As its name suggests, this coffee is USDA-Organic certified, which means no harmful chemicals or pesticides come into contact with the beans. 

Some customers find this coffee lacking in flavor. However, this opinion seems to be uncommon as most reviews are positive. 

Looking for the best Sumatra coffee at Starbucks instead? The Kirkland Signature Sumatra French Roast Whole Bean Coffee is my suggestion. 

9. Kirkland Signature Sumatra French Roast Whole Bean Coffee – Best at Costco

Roast	Dark (French) roast
Flavor profile	Cocao
Available In	3 lb bag
Best for	French press, cold brew, drip machines, espressos
Type	Whole bean
Price	$$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	N/A

The Kirkland Signature Sumatra French Roast Whole Bean Coffee is the best Sumatra coffee at Costco because of its great French roast level, pleasant cacao tasting notes, and high-quality beans. 

It is best for coffee drinkers who prefer French roasts and enjoy making French press and cold brew coffee. 

French roasts are a bit darker than a traditional “dark” roast, which also makes them great for espresso. 

However, since this Kirkland brand coffee is whole bean, you will have to grind it yourself to the appropriate grind size.

As a Kirkland brand, you will only find this coffee in person at your local Costco. However, you can buy it online through Amazon as well. 

And like all Costco products, this Sumatra coffee uses high-quality beans and manufacturing processes. 

This coffee is fairly priced, but you get a lot of coffee– 3 pounds to be exact. This is more than what most people can use before it goes stale. 

However, you can vacuum seal and freeze half (or more) of the beans to keep them fresh for longer. 

Or, if you’re using them at a restaurant or a cafeteria, you likely won’t have a problem using them all. 

Looking for a great-tasting Fair Trade-certified coffee instead? The Green Mountain Coffee Roasters coffee up next is my recommendation. 

10. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Whole Bean Coffee – Best Budget

Roast	Dark roast
Flavor profile	Tropical fruits, brown sugar, and warm spice
Available In	10 oz bag
Best for	French press, cold brew, espresso
Type	Whole bean
Price	$
Origin	Single origin, Sumatra
Organic	USDA Organic

The Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Fair Trade Certified™ Organic, Sumatra Reserve, Whole Bean Coffee is the best budget Sumatra coffee because of its affordable price, great taste, and certifications. 

It is best for coffee drinkers who want affordable, great-tasting dark roast coffee. 

As a dark roast, it goes best with French press, cold brew, and espresso brewing methods. 

However, since it is whole bean coffee, you can grind it yourself to any grind size for the your brewing method. 

Its tropical fruits, brown sugar, and warm spice tasting notes make it taste great black and goes well with cream and sugar too.

That said, some find it too bland. But most people enjoy it based on the high amount of positive reviews.  

This Green Mountain Coffee Roasters coffee is Fair Trade and USDA Organic certified. This means it uses fair labor/growing practices and never uses pesticides or harmful chemicals. 

Sumatra Coffee Bean Buying Guide

Here are the top considerations when you are looking for a Sumatra coffee to purchase. For more details, see our full coffee-buying guide.

Roast

The roast level of coffee is a significant factor when you choose a Sumatra coffee. Darker roasts are known for their bold and intense flavors, while lighter roasts offer a more subtle taste.

The best roast is subjective and depends on personal preference. Here’s the roast level I recommend for the type of coffee drink. For more details, see our full guide here. 

Grind size

The grind size of ground coffee is a crucial factor to consider when choosing your Sumatra coffee.

The coarseness or fineness of the grind will impact the speed at which the water and coffee blend during the brewing process, as well as the rate at which flavor is extracted from the beans.

Different grind sizes are recommended for different brewing methods. For example, coarse-ground coffee is ideal for French presses and pour-over methods, while medium and fine grinds are better suited for drip coffee machines and espresso machines.

If you prefer to grind your coffee yourself, you can purchase whole-bean Sumatra coffee. 

To learn more about this, read our coffee grind size guide.

The right type for your beverage

When choosing a Sumatra coffee, you should take into account the type of drink you intend to make. For a regular cup of brewed coffee, a medium-dark roast with a medium grind would be a top choice.

For cappuccinos, lattes, and other espresso drinks, an espresso roast with a fine grind is my recommendation.

For those seeking decaf coffee for a drip machine, get a decaffeinated option with a medium-coarse grind.

Certifications

When choosing a Sumatra coffee, you should consider certifications such as USDA Organic and Fair Trade.

These certifications ensure that the coffee is sustainably grown and harvested, supporting the farmers who produce it.

Furthermore, the USDA-certified organic label means the Sumatra coffee does not contain any artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or other additives.

If you prioritize the absence of additives in your coffee for health and environmental reasons, seek out this certification.

Another popular certification is Rainforest Alliance, which means the farms that produce the coffee beans don’t harm the local rainforests. 

Refer to the table below for more information about coffee certification, and read our full guide here. 

Price/Budget

When choosing a Sumatra coffee, it is important to consider your budget.

Sumatra coffees have different price ranges and quality levels, so it is advisable to determine your spending limit before you purchase one.

Sumatra coffee has a price range of $8 to $25, which varies based on the quantity and quality.

For instance, you can purchase a 30-oz container of lower-quality coffee for less than $10 or a 10-oz bag of higher-quality coffee for $15.

Single-origin vs Multi-origin

Another factor to consider when selecting a Sumatra coffee is whether to choose single-origin or multi-origin beans.

Single-origin coffee is made from Sumatra beans that originate from one farm on the Sumatra island in Indonesia. It usually has distinctive tasting notes and can be relatively costly.

On the other hand, multi-origin coffees are made from beans sourced from multiple farms on the island, which allows for a combination of flavors and generally leads to a more cost-effective coffee.

However, since all Sumatra coffee beans come from the island, most brands call them “single-origin,” whether the beans come from one farm or more. 

For the most part, I enjoy single-origin, although there are days when I enjoy multiple-origin coffee more.

Single Origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the main benefits of single-origin coffee beans/grounds.

• Consistent flavor profiles and texture
• Robust tasting notes
• More strength/boldness

Multi-origin Coffee Benefits

Here are the benefits of buying multi-origin/blended coffee beans/grounds.

• Typically less expensive
• Different combinations can make unique flavors
• Blended tasting notes

To learn more about coffee bean origins, read our full guide. 

Packaging Date / Roast Date

When selecting ground coffee, it’s important to consider the packaging date.

Freshly roasted and packaged Sumatra coffee tastes the best, so be sure to check the packaging date on the bag before making your purchase.

However, you can’t personally inspect the packaging date when purchasing online.

Although, you can message the seller and ask nicely for a recently packaged bag rather than one that has been stored on a shelf for an extended period.

Learn more in our guide on packaging and roast dates. 

Best brands

When choosing Sumatra coffee, it is important to consider reputable brands such as AmazonFresh, Cooper Moon, Starbucks, Kirkland, and Aldecoa.

Each brand offers a range of Sumatra coffees with distinct flavor profiles. Plus, they offer an assortment of light to dark roasts that cater to both drip coffee machines and espresso makers.

Our Verdict

Here are our top 3 choices of Sumatra coffee beans. All three have great tasting notes, high-quality roasting/sourcing practices, and fair prices: 

1. Our number 1 choice, the AmazonFresh Organic Fair Trade Sumatra Whole Bean Coffee is affordable, tastes great, and is USDA Organic and Fair Trade Certified.
2. The Aldecoa 2 LB Whole Bean Coffee, Sumatra, our runner-up, is a medium roast with pleasant cacao tasting notes and is small batch roasted for higher quality and satisfaction. 
3. If you prefer decaf, you can’t go wrong with the Coffee Bean Direct Decaf Dark Sumatra, Whole Bean Coffee. This dark roast has low-acid and a smooth and chocolate-flavored taste. 

Amazon Fresh Whole Bean Coffee: Best Overall

• Roast: Dark
• Flavor profile:
  • Rich, dark chocolate, cacao nibs, brown sugar, and roasted hazelnut
• Available In: 10 oz bag
• Type: Ground, Medium Grind
• Price: $$
• Origin: Multi-origin, Central and South America
• Organic: USDA Certified Organic

Check Current Price