About Brazil Moreninha Formosa

Another coffee from Fazenda Aurea … but the Moreninha Formosa plot is pretty unique. For one it is all Mundo Novo, all at 1,200mtrs which is high for the Cerrado region and the coffees are processed as full natural, African bed-dried. But for reasons unknown, this little plot consistently cups the best on the farm.

It is the complexity of sweetness, body and chocolate covered cherries that stand out for us. It is a true espresso gem, with full body and chocolate sweetness which punches through milk but with subtle acidity. This new crop carries delicate cherry like fruited sweetness., while still remaining clean.

The 2011/12 coffee is fresh and clean. We’re in agreement it’s cupping consistently better than current crop.

About Fazenda Aurea

Fazenda Aurea is in a region called Serra do Salitre, a high plain in Cerrado Miniero, Minas Gerais state. At 1200 meters, the Serra do Salitre has better altitude than most of Cerrado proper, which averages 800-900 meters for coffee production.

The farm came to be as a result of a wealthy Brazilian banker who came up here in the 1970’s to become a coffee baron (it’s actually pretty normal in Brazil). The Cerrado was not a great coffee growing region but nonetheless he bought the 13-kilometre long strip of land and got to work to create his own world. He built a grand square on the farm where the farmhouse is located. Across the square (and lower than the house) is a recreated colonial chapel. Surrounding the square is worker housing and workshops. Leading up to the square, he created a grand boulevard (two lanes in each direction) lined with palm trees that he named 5th Avenue. It is said that when he would come to the farm from the city, he would stand up in the back seat of his convertible Cadillac and wave his hat to the few assembled workers as he made his processional to the main square. Those days are long gone, but the farm is still here.

Coffees from this farm prove to be great for espresso; either as an excellent consistent base for blends or some can stand up well as singles. Because of the sheer size of the farm and mill, as well as the fact that they buy coffees from a bunch of other nearby growers, we source a big selection of coffees which are all quite different.

Read Scott Reed (Zephyr) travelogue from his 2009 trip to Brazil.