The Soil in Java The soil on the side of this mountain is very fertile and many other crops, from potatoes to cacao, share space with the coffee. Recently, exporters and other professionals in the coffee industry have been working with the agricultural communities there to foster a resurgence in Specialty Coffee. The terrain is so steep that even four-wheel-drive vehicles become useless about 3,000 feet, and you move up on foot. Coffee cherries are still brought back down to the collection point via scooter.