From Rainforest to Cup
The Question
It started over kopi at a mamak. Three friends, one question: why can’t Malaysian beans compete on the world stage? We’d tasted incredible cherries in Sabah — but nobody was roasting them right.
The Journey
We quit our jobs and drove to the highlands. Ranau, Keningau, Kundasang — meeting farmer families who’d been growing coffee for generations without recognition. We knew we’d found something special.
The First Roast
RIMBA is born. Our first 5kg batch, roasted in a borrowed drum roaster in a friend’s garage. It was rough — but the Sabah Highlands beans sang. Dark chocolate, tropical fruit, unmistakably Malaysian.
The Space
Our Bukit Tunku cafe opens. A restored shophouse transformed into a canopy — hanging plants, timber tables, sunlight through old louvred windows. A place where the rainforest meets the city.
The Movement
12 farmer partners across Sabah, Sarawak, and Cameron Highlands. Our beans are shipped across Southeast Asia. But we’re just getting started — Malaysian coffee deserves a global stage.
Amir
Head Roaster
The nose behind every blend. Amir can tell you the elevation of a bean by smell alone. Trained in Melbourne, rooted in KL.
Mei Ling
Farm Relations
Our bridge to the highlands. Mei Ling spends 3 months a year with our farmer partners, ensuring quality and fair trade.
Danial
Brew Bar Lead
Every cup tells a story. Danial’s pour-over technique has been featured in Drift Magazine and Time Out KL.
Siti
Creative Director
The eye behind RIMBA. From our cafe interiors to our packaging, Siti ensures every touchpoint feels like the rainforest.
Sabah Highlands (Ranau, Kundasang)
Elevation 1,000–1,400m. Rich volcanic soil produces beans with deep chocolate notes and tropical fruit sweetness. Our oldest partnership — 5 families since 2020.
Sarawak (Bario, Highlands)
Elevation 800–1,100m. Cool misty conditions create a delicate, floral cup with honey sweetness. 4 families in the Kelabit Highlands.
Cameron Highlands
Elevation 1,200–1,600m. The coolest temperatures produce our smoothest beans — caramel, nuts, and brown sugar. 3 families in Ringlet and Brinchang.
Source Directly
No middlemen, no mystery. We visit every farm, taste every harvest, and pay above market price. Our farmers are partners, not suppliers.
Roast Honestly
Light enough to taste the origin. Dark enough to satisfy. We don’t hide behind dark roasts or flavoured syrups — our beans speak for themselves.
Share Proudly
Malaysian beans deserve a global stage. We’re not just building a cafe — we’re building a movement. Every cup is proof that local can be world-class.