Brazil Coffee
About one-third of all of the world’s coffee is grown in Brazil, and much of Brazil’s premium coffee is labeled Santos after the port it is shipped through.
Many high quality espresso blends are made from either Bourbon Santos or Brazil Cerrado.
Brazilian Coffee Characteristics
A good Brazil coffee has a relatively low acidity, and exhibits a nutty sweet flavor, often bittersweet with a chocolaty roast taste. Most Brazilian coffee is dry processed (unwashed; natural).
Roasting Brazilian Coffees
Since Brazilian coffees are grown at relatively low elevations (compared to Central American coffees, for example), the Brazil coffee beans are not particularly dense.
For this reason a Medium-Dark Roast (Vienna Roast; Full City Roast) is recommended – be careful not to choose too dark of a roast as it may cause an ashy bitterness.
Coffee Quality Standards in Brazil
Generally speaking, the majority of coffee grown in Brazil is common low-altitude, low-grade Arabica coffee – not bad, but unlikely to be considered a premium gourmet coffee.
Recent efforts by the Brazilian government have sought to change that perception and rebrand Brazil as a specialty coffee.
Changes in the Brazilian Coffee Industry
Improvements in cultivation methods and coffee processing, however, may not be enough to overcome the fact that the country’s non-volcanic soil is less than ideal for growing coffee, as are the lower-than-optimal growing elevations (most of the world’s fine Arabica coffees are grown at higher elevations).
That said, it should be known that Brazil does grow some great coffee. Brazil coffee is the dominant coffee in blends provided by the biggest roasting companies, and also the main coffee used in canned coffees.
Use of Brazilian Coffees in Espresso
Furthermore, if you order an espresso or an espresso drink at your local coffeehouse, there is probably a predominance of coffee from Brazil in the grounds used – often up to 90% of the coffee in an espresso blend is from Brazil.
Prime Coffee Growing Regions in Brazil
Microclimates within certain regions of Brazil can produce some outstanding coffees. In particular, some specific areas within Cerrado, Matas de Minas, Mogiana, and Sul de Minas regions are known to cultivate excellent coffee.
The History of Coffee Growing in Brazil
The story of coffee in Brazil begins with an intriguing tale involving a Brazilian lieutenant and his liaison with a Guiana governor’s wife who secretly gave him coffee cuttings in a bouquet of flowers.
To read about the history of coffee in Brazil from its beginnings to its reign as a world coffee empire see the World’s Best History of Coffee.
Also see Also see Brazil Cerrado Coffee; Brazil Bourbon Santos Coffee.
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