TIMOR-LESTE | ROTUTU

Coffee has been part of Timor-Leste's history since the 1600s, when it was first introduced by Portuguese settlers. Following decades of political upheaval and neglect during the twentieth century, farmers across the country are now rebuilding both their coffee forests and their reputation for quality.

The Rotutu Cooperative was established in 2018 in the highlands of Western Letefoho and has become a shining example of this revival. Working with just sixteen smallholder farmers, the cooperative focuses on producing exceptional coffee through careful cherry selection and sustainable farming practices.

Today, Rotutu's coffees are helping to place Timor-Leste firmly on the specialty coffee map, offering drinkers the chance to experience a truly unique origin while directly supporting the communities working to secure its future.

Only fully ripe cherries are selected before being delivered to Karst's processing facilities. The cherries are floated to remove defects before being pulped and fermented for 40–44 hours.

Following fermentation, the coffee is washed through multiple cleaning stages before being dried slowly on raised beds for 10–14 days. Once drying is complete, the coffee rests for six weeks before being transported to Dili for milling, grading and final hand-sorting prior to export.

This careful washed process produces a clean, sweet and structured cup that highlights the character of both the coffee and the Letefoho terroir.

Rotutu farmers work in partnership with Karst Organics, receiving approximately 30% above local commercial cherry prices. This premium payment rewards selective harvesting and higher quality production while providing more reliable income for farming families.

All coffee is grown under native shade trees using natural farming methods. Timor-Leste remains one of the few coffee-producing nations where chemical agricultural inputs have yet to become widespread, making the country's coffee effectively organic by practice. Karst also supports ongoing tree rehabilitation programmes, helping farmers improve long-term yields while protecting the region's coffee-growing landscape.