| ≥1 piece |
Brazilian Coffee
Brazil is a well known coffee producing giant. They source around one-third of the world's coffee, making them the largest coffee producer in the globe! Of course, most of this is lower grade Arabica. However, this country is capable of producing specialty coffees.
This particular type is a standard specialty quality coffee. Itt is dry-processed, meaning the beans are patio-dried while they are still in the cherry. Since the coffees are dried in contact with the sweet mucilage, the coffee's cup profile will be heavy in body, sweet, smooth, and complex. The 17/18 screen size has a more consistent flavor without the pungent fruit notes that can turn up in smaller screen sized beans, which is an indication of varying bean maturity.
This type carries three quality classifications:
· NY (New York) 2/3; specifies the quality is standard to the Green Coffee Association of New York. 2/3 refers to the amount of defects permitted in the lot; a maximum of nine secondary defects, and no primary defects.
· SSFC (Strictly Soft Fine Cup); Strictly Soft beans are grown at relatively low altitudes (under 1200 meters). Beans grown at lower altitudes mature quickly and produce a lighter, less dense bean. This term also means the beans are free of hard rioy taints. Fine Cup means it is a specialty grade coffee.
· 17/18 refers to the screen size. These beans are one screen size larger than 14/16, denoting a larger bean. Larger bean size is generally linked to higher quality.
BACKGROUND DETAILS
SUL DE MINAS
The Sul de Minas is a traditional coffee powerhouse, where generations of small coffee farmers have cultivated hills with an altitude of 700m to 1200m. The main varieties of arabica grown here are Mundo Novo and Catuai, although several other arabica varieties can also be seen. The Sul de Minas is a strong producer of Group I sun-dried coffees. The strong presence of many cooperatives and exporters in the region means that the commercialization of Sul de Minas coffees is a smooth and reliable affair throughout the whole year.
Purchase Cities: Varginha, Tres Pontas, Carmo do Minas, Boa Esperanca, Machado.
ZONA DA MATA
The Zona da Mata, in the east of Minas Gerais, is a region with steep topography between 550m and 1200m, which means all harvesting and husbandry is done manually. Almost 50% of the coffee area here belongs to small farms below 10 hectares, compared to a 30% level in the Sul de Minas. Traditionally, because of a moist harvest climate, the Zona da Mata has been the biggest supplier of Group II coffee.
Purchase Cities: Mutum, Durandé, Manhuaçu, Ipanema, Manhumirim, Espera Feliz
ESPIRITO SANTO
Brazil’s second biggest coffee state produces almost 80% of the country’s conillon (robusta), mostly in the center north. In the south, arabica is grown, and Espirito Santo farmers have developed some very interesting washed arabicas on altitudes of up to 1200m
Purchase Cities: Brejetuba, Iúna, Ibatiba, Irup
POCOS DE CALDAS
Is located on what is assumed to be the crater of a volcano that became extinct millions of years ago. The land, which forms the starting point of the Mantiqueira Range, is extremely fertile, with altitudes between 3,000 and 4,700 feet. The climate is temperate, dry in winter, when the coffee is harvested, and very wet during the spring and summer seasons, when the blossoms appear and the beans form and develop. The terrain is very hilly, making it practically impossible to employ machines, 50 that agricultural work is carried out by manual labor. The crystalline sulphurous waters of the region have made it famous for its health- giving properties
The combination of all these factors gives the coffee grown in the Poços de Caldas region an unequalled sweetness and smoothness of flavor, a unique coffee in fact, one of the best in the world.