About Brazil Brigadeiro...
Santa Caterina is located in the Naterica region of Mantiqueira de Minas. The farm began as a family property that focused mainly on cattle farming, before being transformed into a dedicated specialty coffee operation. Marco Valerio acquired an initial 26% share of the land, driven by a passion for farming, livestock, and coffee. By December 2010, full ownership was secured, bringing the total estate to 216.47 hectares at altitudes ranging from 960 to 1,470 meters above sea level.
With full ownership in place, Mr. Valerio worked on clearing pastures and renovating the original coffee fields that were there decades before. The changes made were major, but the initial efforts soon began to show clear results. Recognizing that the farm's location and high elevation were ideal for premium coffee, the main focus shifted to producing specialty crops.
Over the years, Mr. Valerio invested heavily in modern processing infrastructure, adding new drying patios, mechanical dryers, and his own washer with grain-sorting capabilities. A planned crop renewal program introduced high-quality cultivars such as Arara, 2SL, Mundo Novo, Red Catuai, and Yellow Catuai. Field management was also standardised, applying specific pruning and skeletonising techniques to individual plots to maintain crop health. These practices have led to much better quality of crop year upon year.
This specific lot is an of the Arara variety, one of Santa Caterinas best performing lots. It went through a "classic" natural process first being patio dried within the mucilage and then being sorted and cleaned in the traditional way.
In the cup we find a velvety classic with the caramels and chocolates you hope to see, with an added depth and complexity that allow for some berry and light fruit notes to come through.
