East Timor Laclo, Light Roast - Special Release

Cupping notes: Raspberry/Blueberry/Cream

Grower: Smallholder farmers
Varietal: Timor Hybrid (Hibrido de Timor)
Region: Laclo, Aileu Vila
Altitude: 1550 – 1600 meters
Process: Natural

East Timor has had a long and tumultuous history that has seen colonization, several occupations, independence and a long and difficult path to peace. Coffee has played a role in Timor-Leste’s economy since the beginning of the country’s modern history.

Smallholders in Aileu cultivate coffee at 1,550 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Their dedication to producing high quality cherry, combined with careful centralized processing at a mill in Gleno, helps produce an excellent Natural coffee.

Timor-Leste has had a long and tumultuous history that has seen colonization, several occupations, independence and a long and difficult path to peace. Coffee has played a role in Timor-Leste’s economy since the beginning of the country’s modern history.

While coffee production in Timor-Leste continues to expand and quality continues to improve, the climate presents difficulties. The arid weather and short rainy season make it difficult for coffee cherry to grow. On top of contrarian weather, the low nutrient-content in the soil and negligible access to fertilizers and pesticides makes it more difficult for coffee trees to thrive. The average farmer currently collects only about 500 grams of green coffee per tree (2-3 kg cherry).

Timor-Leste’s coffee industry is prevailing in the face of these difficulties. Both quality and productivity are rapidly increasing. Small changes are increasing coffee quality by leaps and bounds, while several programs, funded by NGOs, are working to fundamentally change coffee harvesting and processing in the country.