| The word Java has taken on several meanings in | | | | Arabica from Indonesia are primarily from the |
| comtemporary culture. In the computer world, it | | | | islands of Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. Sumatra is |
| is a particular computer programming language | | | | also mountainous with active volcanoes. The |
| that creates eye-catching applications used mostly | | | | highlands to the north and west of Sumatra |
| on websites. In restaurants and bars, the word is | | | | produces very high quality Arabica beans. Sulawesi |
| often used interchangably with coffee. The real | | | | coffee is similar in character and appearance to |
| Java on the other hand, is the most populous | | | | the Sumatran. |
| island in Indonesia, where the capital Jakarta is | | | | Even though Java is the most well-known of |
| located. | | | | Indonesian coffee exports, many experts agree |
| Java island is mountainous with numerous active | | | | that Sumatra coffee is the best of the lot owing |
| volcanoes. The climate is muggy year-round, | | | | to a fruity and syrupy taste. It is unclear why |
| often punctuated by monsoon rains. Along with | | | | coffee drinkers today have equated the word |
| the fertile soil that surround the volcanic areas, | | | | java with coffee itself. One story tells us that |
| the early Dutch settlers found these conditions to | | | | because coffee from Java was so popular at the |
| be very conducive to growing coffee. | | | | time, merchants would brand their coffee with |
| Arabica was introduced to Indonesia in the 17th | | | | that name in order to capitalize on its popularity |
| century and this was planted vigorously by the | | | | as well as increase sales. As you can see, brand |
| Dutch colonial government. The Arabica was | | | | marketing was very much alive in the 18th |
| eventually wiped out for the most part by a | | | | century. |
| plague known as coffee rust although coffee | | | | And because brand marketing is often |
| plants in other regions were not affected. Robusta | | | | mischievous and creates a lot of unnecessary |
| was the logical alternative because of its | | | | hype. As a result, buying a bag of coffee can |
| resistance to diseases. | | | | suddenly be confusing especially when the word |
| Later on in the early 20th century, the colonial | | | | "Java" is present in the packaging. Are you |
| government would build the infrastructure to | | | | actually buying coffee of the gourmet variety |
| confine the growth of coffee to East and Central | | | | from the island of Java or just some plain coffee |
| Java. East Java would produce Arabica simply | | | | using the term just to make it a more attractive, |
| because of their more mountainous regions while | | | | not to mention expensive, commodity? Adding to |
| Central Java primarily produced Robusta. | | | | the mess, when looking up the word itself on the |
| Today Indonesia is the biggest producer of coffee | | | | search engines can take you to pages of |
| in Southeast Asia and third in the world. The | | | | undecipherable computer programming language |
| coffees they export are from both the Arabica | | | | when all you wanted was a hot cup. |
| and Robusta stocks although gourmet coffee | | | | That being said, when looking specifically for |
| makes up only about ten percent of their export. | | | | Indonesian coffee, the most common is Java |
| This is due mainly to the roles that the plague | | | | Estate. But if you want a treat, look beyond Java |
| along with World War II and internal political strife | | | | and let your taste buds feast on Sumatra |
| have played in forming the Indonesian coffee | | | | Mandehling instead. It is sure to erase any |
| industry. | | | | confusion. |