Timor-Leste (East Timor) gained independence in 2000 after a 25-year-long occupation by Indonesia. And while progress has been made, the region is still quite distressed. I'm always excited to offer fascinating varietals from places liks this - not solely because of the cup complexity - but because each purchase I make supports a highly fragile economy. The coffee industry in Timor is the most stable, and the sale of this coffee directly supports Cooperativa Café Timor - an organic growing association - and its dedicated farmers and their families.

Maubesse is a higher-altitude coffee compared to other Timor varietals, and it's also a little brighter - simply put, the quality of this coffee is definitely up. The cooperative mills have invested in new organic facilities, wet-processing equipment, and improved standards of receiving and sorting only ripe, red coffee cherries. This cup has an initial hint of its Indonesian roots with a delicate touch of woody flavor and slightly pronounced sweet herbal aroma.

This is an unusually large bean from a region often lauded for its musky, slightly spicier Peaberry coffees. You’ll taste a bit of the celebrated spice, but more as tonal surprise that doesn't overwhelm the cup or spike at the finish. Compared to other Indonesian coffees, this Timor is not funky or earthy the way one might expect. This is a clean cup profile with a full body, and is generally regarded as a universally-enjoyed, crowd-pleasing coffee.