On our latest trip to the coffee-growing region of Ermera, Timor-Leste, we ventured deeper into the mountains. The peaks fade into the clouds, and the landscape creates the perfect backdrop for our visit with the dedicated coffee farmers of the Lauana community.
Apeu, one of our long-time partners and a generational coffee farmer, welcomed us to his home. Waiting with him were 20 farmers from surrounding smallholder farms, including Apeu’s father, Clementino. Their enthusiasm and pride in their craft were palpable from the moment we arrived.
Together, they guided us through their coffee process—from harvesting cherries in the nearby jungle to drying the beans on hand-built raised beds. We observed each meticulous stage: pulping, sun-drying, and several rounds of hand-sorting—all aimed at delivering only the finest beans into your daily brew.
All 25 of us sat down to enjoy a spread of home-grown veggies, local chicken, and rice. Over lunch, we savoured a few cups of Apeu’s honey-processed coffee. This unique method, which leaves some of the coffee’s natural mucilage intact during drying, results in deep, rich flavours distinctive to this sun-dried fermentation process.
Afterwards, we joined the farmers for an open discussion, sharing feedback from last season’s harvest and learning about their challenges. There’s a friendly rivalry among regions to see who produces the best coffee, and these sessions help guide improvements and foster a shared sense of purpose.
As a result of these conversations, we are committed to supporting several new initiatives funded by your coffee purchases:
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Construction of additional raised drying beds
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Provision of motorised coffee pulpers to reduce the physical demands of manual processing
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Supply of moisture analysers to ensure optimal drying and bean quality
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Installation of irrigation systems to minimise water waste and lessen physical strain
As the visit wrapped up, we faced one final challenge—racing the fading light and a rising river during a slippery, rain-soaked descent. Four hours later, we hit the sealed road again, and let’s just say… relief doesn’t begin to cover it!
The rest of our trip included time at the Corner Store Network site in Metinaro, where Andrew and I resumed our unofficial roles as the “travelling repair duo.” We tackled the usual suspect, CSN’s hardworking coffee roaster, which, as always, had a few surprises waiting for us. With no Bunnings in sight, we relied on a bit of ingenuity and a lot of burred screws.
We also held barista training sessions, including one where Andrew shared the secrets to his favourite coffee: the piccolo. It's safe to say that the Metinaro team has now mastered it.
With the harvest season in full swing, we’re already planning our next visit in September, when the beans will reach the hulling stage, removing their final outer layer, polishing, and hand-sorting in preparation for export.
Thanks to your ongoing support, we can continue showing up, learning, collaborating, and investing in these remarkable communities. Every cup you enjoy really makes a difference.