Timor-Leste, or East Timor, lies in the Indonesian archipelago just north of Australia. Its mountainous terrain and tropical climate provide excellent conditions for coffee cultivation, particularly in the highlands of Ermera, home to the country’s highest peak, Tatamailau. Coffee is central to rural livelihoods, and the region is historically significant as the origin of the Timor Hybrid, a natural cross between Robusta and Typica that has contributed to the development of disease-resistant cultivars worldwide. The country’s relative isolation has also preserved traditional Typica varieties, known for their complexity and distinctive cup profiles. This coffee comes from 14 smallholder farmers in the village of Ducurai, near Tatamailau. It is sourced through Café Brisa Serena (CBS), a social enterprise that works with over 400 farmers in Letefoho, providing training, infrastructure support, and exceptional traceability. For this harvest, farmers received $3.50 per kilogram of dried parchment. Farms are small, typically 0.5–1.5 hectares, and shaded by she-oak trees that support soil health. Coffee is harvested by hand and processed at the household level using small-scale equipment, then dried on raised beds and carefully sorted. Ongoing improvements in processing and drying have helped farmers consistently achieve high-quality results. We look forward to offering this month's Roaster's Choice coffee from Timor-Leste.
