Description
Tasting notes of Rum, Raisin, Roasted Hazelnut and Caramelised Butter
- Altitude: 1850 MASL
- Variety: Typica, Timor Hybrid
- Processing Method: Fully Washed and African bed/Tarpaulin dried
Situated in Southeast Asia with Australia to the south, Timor-Leste has the unique distinction of being one of the few countries to have been both colonized and annexed. Colonized by Portugal from the 1600s to 1975 and annexed by Indonesia from 1975 to 1999, Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, making it the world’s fourth youngest nation-state. The introduction of coffee to the island by the Portuguese led to it becoming the country’s primary export in the 1900s. Despite challenges faced during Indonesian annexation, around one-third of Timorese households now cultivate coffee, aiming to establish Timorese coffee in the global specialty market. Timorese coffee is grown organically beneath towering shade trees, embodying a wild essence. Passed down through generations, traditional coffee processing methods are providing opportunities for locals to generate sustainable income and support their families.
Ermera, one of the 13 municipalities in East Timor, is known for producing nearly half of the nation’s coffee due to its high elevations, soil composition, and favorable climate. Remagoa, a cooperative in Letefoho’s remote eastern highlands, stands out as a particularly isolated coffee producer. Karst Organics, operated by Stewart and Kar-Yee, has been active in East Timor since 2017. Leveraging Stewart’s educational expertise and Kar-Yee’s business acumen, they have focused on enhancing coffee farming and processing practices in collaboration with local farmers. Their initiatives include funding a centralized processing facility in 2018, installing water pipes for improved processing, and conducting training programs with Associasaun Café Timor (ACT) to enhance coffee quality.
Remagoa, in partnership with Karst, has been processing specialty coffee since 2021. The collaboration involved investment in processing equipment, such as a pulping machine and drying materials, to support farmers in processing coffee under their land’s name. Regular visits by Karst ensured quality control and processing assistance, culminating in the transportation of parchment coffee to Karst’s warehouse. The annual enhancements in bean quality in Timor-Leste signify the country’s progress, with Remagoa’s debut this year as an exceptional representation of Timorese coffee.
Roasted to a medium-light level, this coffee highlights sweet chocolatey tones with hints of spice, complemented by notes of rum, raisin, roasted hazelnut, and caramelized butter.