Nav: Home > Coffee >

What is Starbucks East Timor Ermera Coffee? How to Drink East Timor Coffee?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style). Most of the coffee produced in East Timor is a mixture of Arabica and Robusta coffee, called Tim Tim (or Timor Hybrid). In the early 21st century, Starbucks invested heavily in small farmers selling to cooperatives, while American companies remain in East Timor.

Timor-Leste coffee beans and cultivation

Professional coffee knowledge exchange - For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account: cafe_style)

Timor-Leste Coffee: A Unique Hybrid Legacy

Most coffee produced in Timor-Leste is a mixture of Arabica and Robusta coffee, known as Tim Tim (or Timor Hybrid).

In the early 2000s, Starbucks invested heavily in small farmers who sell to cooperatives, while American companies remain the largest buyers of Timor-Leste's organic coffee.

Growing under the shade of Albizia falcataria trees, these plants mature undisturbed in the central highlands of Timor-Leste, featuring a peak-blooming mimosa variety.

Ermera is a small village with several crumbling 20th-century Portuguese architectural structures.

The primary attraction of the region is its coffee cultivation.

Timor-Leste's coffee is not grown on large plantations but rather grows under the shade of numerous "mother trees." Their umbrella-shaped canopies protect the coffee beans from sunlight and rain.

It seems that everyone owns some plants, and between May and October, people come from all over to harvest coffee, keeping some for their own use and selling the remainder to cooperatives that have deals with coffee giants like Starbucks.

The coffee economy in Timor-Leste is evolving, with cooperatives and international aid in place to improve coffee quality and the livelihoods of impoverished farmers. Literally, for most farmers, the road to market is difficult. The roads are potholed, narrow, suffering from decades of damage and minimal maintenance, presenting one of the greatest challenges, especially during the wet season. Infrastructure is improving, with health clinics funded by coffee cooperatives.

25% of Timor-Leste's population relies on coffee for income.

Coffee is considered one of the key economic growth areas that can help reduce the country's dependence on oil and gas revenues.

Timor-Leste's rare Arabica/Robusta hybrid coffee variety, Hibrido de Timor (Kafe Timor), is now highly sought after in premium coffee shops worldwide.

The original Kafe Timor plants, discovered 90 years ago, still grow in the mountainous region of Fatubessi.

Starbucks first purchased coffee beans from Cooperativa Café Timor in 1996.

Single Origin Timor-Leste Tatamailau coffee is now available on the Starbucks menu (limited time availability in the United States and Canada).

FrontStreet Coffee Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee brewing parameter recommendations:

1. Dripper: V60

2. Water temperature: 88°C

3. Grind size: Fuji grinder setting 4

4. Roast level: Medium roast

5. Bloom time: 25 seconds

Flavor profile: Balanced, chocolate notes, persistent caramel sweetness in the aftertaste

FrontStreet Coffee recommended brewing method: 15g coffee, Fuji grinder setting 4, V60 dripper, 88-89°C water temperature. First pour 30g water, bloom for 25s. Pour to 104g, then pause until the water level drops to half. Continue pouring slowly until reaching 220g, avoiding the last 5g. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, extraction time approximately 2:00 (counting from the end of bloom to completion).