Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer, growing about a third of the world's coffee. Brazilian coffee is generally known for low acidity, a round body and chocolate, nut and caramel flavours. Most of it is natural-processed, dried inside the fruit. The largest producing state is Minas Gerais.
Main regions
| Region | What stands out |
|---|---|
| Minas Gerais (Sul de Minas, Cerrado Mineiro, Matas de Minas) | Largest producing state; sweet, full-bodied naturals |
| São Paulo (Mogiana) | A traditional region; caramel and chocolate |
| Bahia (Chapada Diamantina) | Higher altitudes; specialty lots |
| Espírito Santo | Mostly Robusta (conilon); Arabica in the mountains |
| Paraná | Smaller production in the south |
Processing
- Natural: the whole coffee cherry is dried. The most common method in Brazil; it brings sweetness and body.
- Pulped natural (cereja descascado): the skin is removed and the bean dried with its sticky fruit layer. Developed in Brazil; it tastes between natural and washed.
- Washed: less common in Brazil; a cleaner, brighter cup.
Taste
Most Brazilian coffee grows at relatively low altitudes and makes a sweet, full-bodied cup with low acidity: cocoa, hazelnut, caramel. That is why it is so common in espresso blends and Turkish coffee. Common varieties include Mundo Novo, Catuaí and Bourbon, especially Yellow Bourbon.
Rio Minas and specialty Brazilian coffee
Brazilian coffee is graded with an official cup classification, from soft cups down to hard and “Rio” cups. Rio Minas is coffee from Minas Gerais in the “Rio” group, and the traditional bean for Turkish coffee. The same country also produces specialty lots scoring above 80; the first Cup of Excellence quality competition was held in Brazil in 1999. The difference is explained in our specialty Turkish coffee article.
“Brazil is where the familiar taste of Turkish coffee comes from. Its specialty lots can make a very different, very sweet cup.”
— Roaster Lab
Brazil at Roaster Lab
Our signature Turkish coffee is Brazilian Rio Minas, roasted medium, ground for your order, with the roast date on every bag. Our specialty coffees change every month; see this month’s coffees.
