Back Bay Estate | North Sumatra | Indonesia
Lisa & Leo’s Organic Coffee is grown on the Back Bay Estate in Simalungun, North Sumatra. A region in Indonesia with a long history of Arabica coffee production.
Breathtaking mountain ranges surround Toba Lake. The center of the Sumatran Highlands where Arabica coffee is grown. Elevations vary from 1200 to 2000+ meters above sea level. The combination of rich, volcanic soil, elevation and microclimates produced by the ancient crater lake creates the signature complex flavors in Sumatran Arabicas.
Archipeligo
Indonesia has over 700 islands, Sumatra is one of the largest. We live in North Sumatra which is home to some of the most beautiful nature and animals in Indonesia. The people of North Sumatra are known as Batak.
Bold, colorful clothing and lively, spirited character and spicy, hot foods are trademarks of the Batak culture.
The traditional Simalungun home has a roofline which mimics the water buffalo horns. The Batak culture has many different clan families, each with their own distinctive architecture.
Rain Forests
Home to many one of a kind plant species, the Sumatra rainforests are a precious natural resource that must be protected. These rapidly disappearing rainforests and Tropical Forests must be protected. We have around 20 hectares of deeded forest surrounding our Back Bay Estate. The Siamang Forest is under our protection. The Wildlife there is increasing and the saplings of indigenous trees are being replanted to maintain their food supply and restore the canopy.
The Siamang Forest Wildlife Habitat Conservation is part of our life’s work in Simalungun, North Sumatra. To protect the habitat of Siamang Apes and Thomas Leaf Monkeys.
Endangered Species
Endangered: Siamang Black Gibbons Ape. Native to the island of Sumatra. A growing population here in Simalungun in the Siamang Forest wildlife habitat conservation at Back Bay.
Endangered: Thomas Leaf Monkey, native to the island of Sumatra. A growing population in Siamang Forest here in Simalungun. Part of our life’s work here for wildlife habitat conservation at Back Bay.
Endangered: Sumatra Tiger, native to the island of Sumatra. None found in Simalungun.
Endangered: Orangutan, native to the island of Sumatra. None found in Simalungun, but close by in Tapanuli, living in the wild.
Volcanoes
Indonesia is part of the Ring of Fire. Earthquakes and Volcanic eruptions are part of the way of life in Sumatra. The largest Volcanic eruption in history happened over 70,000 years ago in North Sumatra. It changed the climate of the world and the landscape of Indonesia forever. The largest crater lake in the world was created from this super volcano, Toba Lake. Over 900 meters deep at its deepest point, the lake is the center of the Sumatran Highlands where the Arabica coffee is grown. There is an island within this lake known as Samosir. Many of the Batak clans can trace their families back to this island. It’s one of the must see places in Sumatra. Visit ECO Tourism page for more information.
Mount Sinabung is an active volcano visible in Simalungun but located in the next regency of Karo.
Lake Toba is the largest (vocanic) crater lake in the world. The size of a small sea, there are several access points to the lake here in Simalungun. This lake is 1000 masl and has a depth of 900 meters at its deepest point.