Wild Timor Coffee Co.
Organic coffee, raw treats, and almond milk matcha lattes — a world away from the intense backdrop where Wild Timor Coffee Co. first took root.
A Story with Purpose
In 2012, four Australian peacekeepers — Shannon French, Tom Potter, Cameron Wheelehen, and Tom Mahon — were stationed in Timor-Leste. While there to protect locals from militia violence, they formed close ties with the community and made a surprising discovery: the surrounding jungle was full of neglected coffee trees. Left to grow wild for years, these trees had naturally produced Híbrido de Timor — a hybrid of Arabica and Robusta with the resilience of the former and the complexity of the latter. Sensing both an opportunity and a responsibility, the group began harvesting and exporting the beans to Melbourne.
From Field to Café
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, the group opened their first café in Coburg, followed by a second location inside the heritage-listed Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre. This light-filled venue serves a thoughtful menu tailored to the fast-paced rhythm of Melbourne’s inner north.
Food for All Tempos
Quick eats like bagels, soups, and Portuguese tarts are perfect for those on the move, while heartier, sit-down options include a green smoothie bowl, a house-made veggie burger, and a buckwheat chia loaf topped with avocado and beetroot tahini. It’s ideal for students, remote workers, or anyone taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi.
Coffee with a Conscience
At the heart of it all is the organic, direct-trade coffee — strong, aromatic, and full of purpose — grown in Timor-Leste and roasted in Melbourne, in support of the very communities where it began.