The Coffee Project
The major export commodity of East Timor is coffee, and the Government of the Democratic Republic of East Timor is keen to develop its Australian market. The district of Same is a major coffee growing area. The Friends of Same are distributing the coffee as a long-term activity to support East Timor - we hope this becomes your preferred coffee.
- East Timor coffee is organically grown; artificial fertilisers and pesticides have traditionally not been used
- Our blend is roasted and ground by a major Australian firm, Coffex Pty Ltd
- It has been developed and modified following tastings, with input from Coffex, local coffee industry consultants Jelco Pty Ltd, and a team of volunteeers
- The result is a medium bodied blend, with a full, sweet, rebounding flavour and good aftertaste
- It is competitively priced
- Costs are kept to a minimum through the use of volunteer labour
- About half of the purchase price goes toward providing aid to East Timor
- Aid expenditure is on goods and services specified by the East Timorese themselves.
The operation of the coffee project is supervised by and accountable to the City of Boroondara.
For more information about the Friends of Same coffee project, contact coffee @ friendsofsame.org.
How To Make Good Coffee
- Don't use boiling water as scalding the coffee affects flavour---if using percolator, plunger or drip filter, let the kettle sit a minute after boiling.
- Use one heaped dessertspoon per cup (more for mugs) and let brew for five minutes.
- While coffee is brewing, warm the cups---if you like very hot coffee, fill them with boiling water.
- For best results use fresh coffee---ground coffee tastes best within 10-14 days of opening.
- Don't store coffee in the refrigerator as moisture may be absorbed---a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container is best.
Buying Friends of Same coffee
Cost: $7 per pack, plus postage if applicable.
Direct from Friends of Same
Contact Gill Merzvinskis:
Gillianmerzvinskis6 @ bigpond.com;
telephone: 0430 305 200 (mobile).
From the City of Boroondara
Visit the City of Boroondara customer service desks at Camberwell, Hawthorn and Kew.
From retail outlets
See Friends of Same coffee retailers for a full list.
Updated on 24 October 2007.
