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40PROD. RANK · No.40East Timor (Timor-Leste)
Asia · ORIGIN No.40

東ティモール

The birthplace of the 'Timor hybrid,' a natural arabica-robusta cross.

arabicarobustawashed / natural
Log a tasting
§ 01
KEY FIGURES

Key figures

Production rank
World No.40
Asia
Annual production
0.2M bags
60kg / bag
Recommended roast
Medium
medium
Certifications
organic, fair_trade
Certified
§ 02
OVERVIEW

Overview

The birthplace of the 'Timor hybrid,' a natural arabica-robusta cross. Much shade-grown organic cultivation with a high fair-trade share. An Asian profile resembling Mandheling.

§ 03
HISTORY · TERROIR · CULTURE

History & culture

East Timor (Timor-Leste) holds a special place in coffee history as the land where the natural Arabica–Robusta cross "Híbrido de Timor" was found. Across its mountainous terrain, effectively organic cultivation without synthetic inputs is the norm, yielding gentle cups of chocolate, nut and soft earth.

Where Híbrido de Timor was found

Híbrido de Timor (HdT), identified on a Timorese plantation in the 20th century, is a spontaneous cross of Arabica and Robusta. Inheriting Robusta’s resistance to leaf rust, it became the parent of resistant varieties like Catimor and Sarchimor used in breeding worldwide — a foundation that rescued rust-stricken coffee industries across many countries. One chance hybrid on one island changed the future of world coffee farming; East Timor is remembered as that starting point.

Organic by default, and rebuilding after independence

For East Timor, independent since 2002, coffee is the key export after oil and gas. In the highlands of Ermera and beyond, most farmers grow without fertilizer or pesticides — making much of the crop organic in effect. With support from cooperatives and international NGOs, processing quality and fair-trade structures are steadily improving. As an industry supporting a young country’s economic self-reliance, Timorese coffee keeps walking its quiet road.

§ 04
FLAVOR PROFILE

Flavor profile

Production world shareNo. 40
Max altitude max altitude1,500 m
Growing regions growing regions1 regions

Computed from all of East Timor (Timor-Leste)’s regions. Max altitude references the SCA-recommended 1,500–2,200m.

FloralFruityAcidityChocolateNuttySpiceBodySweetness
§ 05
FOOD PAIRING

Food pairing

Brownie
deepens the chocolate
Tiramisu
richness melds for a long finish
Hazelnut
boosts the toasty notes
Scone
adds toasty depth
Biscotti
complements rustic sweetness
Cheese
salt draws out the richness
§ 06
GROWING REGIONS · 1

Growing regions

§ 07
WHERE TO BUY

Find East Timor (Timor-Leste) coffee

Check stock and prices on each retailer. Links marked “PR” are affiliate links; a purchase may earn this site revenue.

§ 08
ROASTERS

Roasters carrying this origin

§ 09
SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions delivering this origin

Subscription
§ 10
SIMILAR ORIGINS

Similar origins

§ 11
KINDRED REGIONS

Kindred-flavor regions

Starting from flavors common to all of East Timor (Timor-Leste)’s regions, here are 3 similar regions from other countries.