Timor-Leste Atsabe Natural Nº 257 (VR Experience)

The region of Ermera produces the highest volume of coffee of all of PNG’s thirteen municipalities. Agriculture is fast becoming the country’s primary source of income as oil reserves begin to plummet.

The region is remote and the altitudes difficult to scale. But the building of more washing stations in recent years has enabled more speciality coffee to be produced, where the process of cherry pulping, fermenting and drying can be carefully controlled to ensure the best coffees are prepared for export.

Any coffee that doesn't fulfil strict criteria for speciality is separated and sold to local markets - nothing goes to waste.

This natural processed lot is comprised of hand-sorted coffee cherries that are left to dry on high raised beds for one month. They need to be regularly turned for good airflow and even drying. Once the cherries have reached a 14% moisture content, they are transported to lower altitudes (higher temperatures) for the final drying phase. The removed cherry fruit and skins are repurposed for fertilizer and the coffee beans begin their journey to shipment.