Atsabe - Filter Roast - 250g
 
Origin: Timor-Leste; Atsabe, Ermera
Producer: Various
Process: Natural
Variety: Hibrido de Timor, Moka, Typica
Altitude: 1400-1600 masl
Importer: Raw Material
 
Roast Date: 14/10/2024
Batch Number: 14
 
Having found its sovereignty in 2002, Timor-Leste is one of the world’s youngest countries. As the country finds stability, the development of the agriculture sector is rapidly becoming an important pillar for the structural transformation of the country’s economy. The Atsabe lots are the culmination of harvests drawn from across the subregion of the Ermera municipality. One of thirteen municipalities in the country, Ermera is home to the largest coffee production volumes. Since 2018, Raw Material have constructed a number of washing stations which are easily accessible for often remotely located coffee producing communities.
 
Ripe cherries are picked and sold for processing. This cherry is first floated in water, to separate the fruit by density. The higher the density, the higher the quality of the coffee. This leaves the low density, less mature cherries to float to the surface, which are easily removed from the water. Though not used for export, these cherries are processed separately, and sold to the local market. The station staff then meticulously hand-sort the freshly picked and well-sorted cherry, removing all damaged or underripe fruit by eye. The cherry is then transported to raised beds, where they are dried in high sun for one month. The staff turn the lots regularly to ensure even airflow and sun contact. When the cherries have reached a drying level of around 14%, the coffee is then transported to lower altitudes with higher temperatures, to complete the drying phase. Once the drying is complete the cherry is separated from the parchment, and the coffee is prepared for export at the Railaco dry mill.  The remaining cherry is not discarded, rather, it is saved for redistribution as fertiliser to the farmers who grew the harvests.