specialty coffee beans - Rio BRESIL

Sold in bulk MINA GERAIS - COROMANDEL - BRAZIL Rio Brilhante Mundo novo, catuai - Arabica chocolate, caramel, red fruits 1150 m Natural process SCA rating*: 84/100 The Cocatrel cooperative was founded in 1961 in Tres Pontas and has today become the second largest cooperative in Brazil.    There are over 6000 members who are part of the cooperative and they have 11 different purchasing points across the region.   All coffees are electronically labeled and recorded on delivery with a unique QR code giving full traceability on all coffees so producers know exactly where their coffee is.   More than 50% of the cooperative's members grow coffee on land of less than 10 hectares.    Fazenda Rio Brilhante is in a micro-region called Pântano, located in the state of Minas Gerais.   Pântano is known for its well-defined seasons, constant seasonal rains and favorable climate for coffee production.   These conditions are particularly ideal for producing naturally processed coffees, which represent on average 80% of the farm's production.   Harvesting is mainly carried out mechanically using a colheitadeira (combine harvester) – a specific machine to carry out this activity.   Careful calibration of this equipment helps determine the quality and stage of maturity at which coffee cherries should be harvested, resulting in more uniform and consistent batches.    After harvest, the cherries pass through a density sorting station – denser, higher quality cherries are separated to create wet-processed and natural coffees which will undergo more detailed fermentation and drying.    The farm has over 1,600 hectares of planted coffee trees and produces an average of 130,000 bags of coffee per harvest.   The 1,600 hectares are divided into 45 different sections which feature their own unique terroir and microclimate.   The 45 sections are separated by large trees such as grevillea and mogno.   These trees act as a natural barrier between coffee sections and also between untouched areas, thus preserving the biodiversity of the farm.   By law, every rural property must maintain a forest reserve, an area with native plant cover.   In the Cerrado Mineiro region, this area is equivalent to 20% of the farm.   Additionally, these trees provide shelter for coffee plants from the frequent winds in the very flat micro-region of Pântano.    Rio Brilhante is run by one of the migrant families who left southern Brazil in search of new opportunities.   Inácio Urban, the founder, was born in the southernmost state of the country, Rio Grande do Sul, and is of German origin. HASUpon arrival in Brazil, Inácio's family worked in agricultural food production, but on a much smaller scale.   In the 1980s, Inácio saw a huge opportunity in the Cerrado Mineiro region. HASAt the time, land in this area was considered unattractive and, therefore, very cheap.   To begin with, Inácio planted 20 hectares of coffee, as he himself says: "to learn what it is to grow coffee."   Over the past 40 years, he continued to purchase more land and plant more coffee, eventually growing the farm to its current impressive size.    In 2006, Inácio's children, Erika Urban and Fernando Urban, joined their father in running the farm.   The arrival of the second generation of the family represents the continuity of work and the possibility of innovation.   Inácio's son-in-law Noé joined the family and the farm a few years later.    In 2017, Fazenda Rio Brilhante placed second in the Imaflora - Rainforest Alliance regional competition and third in the Cerrado Mineiro regional competition.   In 2020, the farm won first place in the Ethics and Traceability award given to farms for their commitment and development of programs aimed at developing people, preserving the environment and promoting responsible agriculture.   In addition, the farm is UTZ, Rainforest Alliance and 4C certified.