Brazil - Fazenda Sao Paulo

FULL & CREAMY

Origin: Brazil
Region: Campo das Vertentes
Producer: Fazenda Sao Paulo
Altitude: 1125 meters above sea level
Variety: Arara
Process: Natural
Roast level: Light roast
SCA Score: 84.00 points

Synonymous with innovation and growth, Fazenda Sao Paulo has played a vital role in shaping the coffee industry in the Campo das Vertentes region, Minas Gerais. Established in the early 1980s as an agribusiness investment, the farm has grown into a beacon of development, providing work for hundreds of families and fostering progress in the local community. Coffee farming began modestly on the farm, but with dedication and passion, it has expanded to cover 800 hectares, becoming one of the group’s most prominent activities. At Fazenda Sao Paulo, sustainability didn’t start with a strategy or certification. It started with a belief that it’s possible to run a large, productive farm while still respecting the land, the animals, and the people who make it all happen.

For this lot, the cherries are harvested mostly by machines, which are adjusted to pick as many of the ripe cherries as possible. After harvest, they are immediately forwarded to paved drying patios, skipping the wet mill. Because there is no contact with water, this method helps prevent the development of unwanted ''fermented'' flavors. In the patios, the beans are spread out in extremely thin layers, almost “bean by bean”, without overlapping. This increases the exposure to the sunlight and therefore speeds up the drying process. Once the beans reach the final stage of drying, they are moved to mechanical rotating dryers that replicate patio conditions in a fully controlled environment. Temperatures are electronically preset at around 35-40°C, allowing for a consistent drying curve and therefore bringing more uniformity to the lot in terms of moisture content.