Kawah Ijen
The Ijen (pronounced EE-jen) Plateau is an active volcanic complex in East Java, Indonesia, dominated by the Ijen Crater or Kawah Ijen, which contains the world’s most acidic lake and is renowned for its bright blue flames. The region’s high elevation and mineral-rich volcanic soil yield coffees with a unique combination of flavours, bright acidity, and a smooth body.
Blue Fire
Ijen’s blue fire is created when sulphur-rich gases escape from cracks in the crater and ignite as they contact the air.
In the darkness, burning sulphur flows down the slopes like liquid, giving the illusion of glowing molten lava and producing light at wavelengths that appear vividly blue to the human eye.
Sulphur Mining
At Kawah Ijen, miners extract solid sulphur from the crater, often carrying loads of up to 90 kilograms along steep, rocky paths. They work in extreme heat and are exposed to toxic gases, performing a dangerous task that has been a local tradition for generations.
Their skill and resilience are an enduring part of Ijen’s cultural landscape, qualities also reflected in how coffee plantations and farms are tended to in the area.
Ijen Coffee
Ijen’s coffee plantations grow at altitudes between 1,100 and 1,600 meters above sea level. Steep terraces, volcanic soil, and a cool, misty climate create ideal conditions for Arabica coffee cultivation.
Farmers hand-pick and carefully process the beans, producing unique, well-balanced coffees that are earthy yet bright, with low acidity. The high elevation and mineral-rich soil slow bean development, allowing sugars and flavours to fully mature, giving Ijen coffee its distinctive character.
"At the heart of every specialty coffee is the land and people who tend it. We hope you enjoy our Ijen coffee as much as we do, and taste the layers of flavour that represent the plateau’s varied elevations and the thoughtful steps of its processing"
- BUMI team -