Brazil Fazenda Guariroba| Campo Das Vertentes
The Guariroba farm is currently ran by Homero Aguilar Paiva. The Paiva family has been growing coffee for 5 generations and the farm is named in honour of Homero’s maternal grandparents. Although this is a microlot the entire farm is actually 547 hectares, 203 of which are devoted to coffee. The Paiva family processes coffees across the spectrum from natural to anaerobic and pulped natural (honey). At the Paiva farm this coffee was partially depulped within 24 hours of harvest. It was then spread across patios and dried in its mucilage for two weeks, or until it has an 11% moisture content.
The Guariroba farm lies within Minas Gerais, the largest coffee producing region of Brazil. It comes with it a particular geographical indication that has been recognised by the government. Specifically, Minas Gerais is situated between two vital water basins which have resulted in an agricultural area ripe with moisture and rich soil. Although soil conditions are favourable, temperamental weather conditions have long plagued Brazil and determined its coffee production yields and the price of Brazilian coffee for decades. In 2019 frosts devastated the Minas Gerais region with an estimated 2-5 million bags worth of coffee lost to the elements. This past year Brazil has experienced excess rain. Heavy rain during the early stages of coffee growing typically benefits the final harvest more than it harms, as it aids the trees in flowering and blooming. Of course, extreme rain and flooding is devastating and not uncommon for the Minas Gerais region.
Whatever the turn of fate the climate brings, we always hope for favourable conditions and coffees that taste like this one! In the cup we have been finding Eureka/jumbo blueberries, Chamomile tea and Hazelnut. This will very likely be our final Brazilian coffee of 2024 and we hope you enjoy it!