Timor Leste
Coffee has played a crucial role in Timor-Leste’s history, dating back to the early 19th century with production relying on smallholder farmers in the country’s mountainous regions. Following independence in 2002, coffee became a vital part of the country’s economic emergence, with farmers improving cultivation and processing as well as gaining the ability to access global markets. The country’s unique Hibrido de Timor variety, has also contributed to its reputation in the global specialty coffee industry.
Samoro, Letefoho
Coffee from Timor Leste is all organically grown in the shade of the imposing Ai-Kakeu and Ai-Samtuku trees that dominate the mountainous coffee growing regions. Only natural fertiliser is used to nourish the soil and due to the country’s strong animist beliefs, chemical fertilisers have yet to be introduced into agricultural practices.
We source coffee from the Samoro Cooperative under the guidance of lead farmer Orlando Soares. Lying slightly east of the Cristo Liurai mountain, this community experiences warmer ambient temperatures which in turn results in warmer water during processing. This allows for more concentrated fermentation and produces a coffee featuring slightly bolder flavour notes.
