Brazil, South America
Coffee production in Brazil is responsible for about a third of all coffee – making Brazil by far the world’s largest producer. Coffee plantations covering some 27,000 km2 (10,000 sq mi), are mainly located in the Southeastern states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná where the environment and climate provide ideal growing conditions.
Fazenda Rio Brilhante, meaning “bright river” in honour of the crystal-clear water that feeds the farm. The water originates at the Guarani Aquifer, the second-largest underwater reservoir on the planet. The aquifer runs under much of the Cerrado region and stretches as far as Paraguay and Uruguay.
Varietal: Bourbon, Catuai, Topazio
Producer: Inacio Carlos
Elevation: 985 – 1,080 MASL
Processing: Natural
Region: Cerrado
Cup Profile: mild, juicy, creamy, a hint of vanilla, finishing with a clean touch of toffee and hazelnut sweetness
Growing primarily Mondo Novo and Catuai varieties, and utilizing the process of drying the seed inside the fruit(also known as the Natural Process), gives the coffee a fuller body, lower acidity and pronounced sweetness.
The Mogiana region, split between the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, is the most renowned of three major Brazilian growing regions. This region has rolling hills and uneven terrain lending to farms that are small to medium in size.
Varietal: Catuai, Mundo Novo
Producer: Narendra
Elevation: 986 – 1,080 MASL
Processing: Natural
Region: Cerrado
Cup Profile: thick, creamy, nutty and semi-sweet with fruity and chocolatey accents
Verde means green and this farm in the Paranaiba region draws water from the river of the same name. The water originates at the Guarani Aquifer, the second-largest underwater reservoir on the planet. The aquifer runs under much of the Cerrado region and stretches as far as Paraguay and Uruguay.
Varietal: Bourbon, Catuai, Topazio
Producer: Monica Borges de Sousa & Petronio Otavio Borges de Sousa
Elevation: 1,000 – 1,080 MASL
Processing: Natural
Region: Cerrado
Cup Profile: well-balanced body with hint of tropical fruits and sweetness of sugar cane
Farm is located in the city of Carmo da Mata, which is a participant of Campo das Vertentes micro-region with origin denomination, also considered South of Minas macro-region.
The family is growing coffee since the early 1900, and is led by producer Monica Borges de Sousa and her second son, Petronio Otavio Borges de Sousa. They prioritize quality and focus a lot on post-harvest processes. Have gained prices and top position on semi washed and natural processes. Alongside coffee production, the family invests their time and resources in a NGO called ICAFE. ICAFE is an institution that brings education, culture and arts to the rural communities next to the farm, enabling families to enhance their income through workshops and the selling of art.
Varietal: Aramosa
Producer: Monica Borges de Sousa & Petronio Otavio Borges de Sousa
Elevation: 1,220 MASL
Processing: Pulped Natural
Region: South Minas
Cup Profile: nutty fudge-caramel sweetness with round creamy, clean body and lingering pleasant acid and floral aroma