This time last month, we were embarking on an incredible journey to Brazil with fellow Irish coffee roasters for a behind-the-scenes look at the entire coffee production process, from farms to equipment manufacturers. We explored breathtaking landscapes, met with passionate growers behind some of our green coffees, toured warehouses and participated in some impressive cupping sessions.
Here’s what we got up to each day:
Day 1: Gram Cerri and Fazenda de Mata
We kicked off our trip with a visit to Gram Cerri for a warehouse tour and cupping session. Later, we explored family-run Fazenda de Mata’s farm and saw their production processes firsthand. The family explained their meticulous process of coffee drying and milling, using raised beds and patios for drying their coffee.
Day 2: Fazenda Santa Izabel and Falcafé
Our next stop was Fazenda Santa Izabel in Minas Gerais, a 5th generation family operation supplying our Manacá. At Falcafé, we witnessed the meticulous process of grading, processing and packing beans for export. Their rotating cupping table was a highlight, where we got to see and taste the local coffee samples being evaluated.
Day 3: Carmomaq and Pinhalense
We visited Brazil’s top coffee equipment manufacturers Carmomaq and Pinhalense. Some of the top employers in the area, with many employees who are family members. These companies produce coffee machinery and equipment that are used in over 100 countries.
Day 4: Fazenda Santo Antonio/Bella Vista Coffee and Fazenda Pinhal
We started with a tour and cupping session at Fazenda Santo Antonio. Owner Carol, listed among Forbes’ 100 most powerful women in agriculture, produces a Women’s Project coffee. Her husband Lucas showed us how to pick cherries from a coffee tree. We then stayed at the picturesque Fazenda Pinhal.
Day 5: Carmo Coffees
Our final day was spent at Carmo Coffees, where we toured their stunning warehouse and participated in another expert cupping session. We saw their impressive "wailing wall" where farmers submit samples of their produce.
A trip we will never forget!
This time last month, we were embarking on an incredible journey to Brazil with fellow Irish coffee roasters for a behind-the-scenes look at the entire coffee production process, from farms to equipment manufacturers. We explored breathtaking landscapes, met with passionate growers behind some of our green coffees, toured warehouses and participated in some impressive cupping sessions.
Here’s what we got up to each day:
Day 1: Gram Cerri and Fazenda de Mata
We kicked off our trip with a visit to Gram Cerri for a warehouse tour and cupping session. Later, we explored family-run Fazenda de Mata’s farm and saw their production processes firsthand. The family explained their meticulous process of coffee drying and milling, using raised beds and patios for drying their coffee.
Day 2: Fazenda Santa Izabel and Falcafé
Our next stop was Fazenda Santa Izabel in Minas Gerais, a 5th generation family operation supplying our Manacá. At Falcafé, we witnessed the meticulous process of grading, processing and packing beans for export. Their rotating cupping table was a highlight, where we got to see and taste the local coffee samples being evaluated.
Day 3: Carmomaq and Pinhalense
We visited Brazil’s top coffee equipment manufacturers Carmomaq and Pinhalense. Some of the top employers in the area, with many employees who are family members. These companies produce coffee machinery and equipment that are used in over 100 countries.
Day 4: Fazenda Santo Antonio/Bella Vista Coffee and Fazenda Pinhal
We started with a tour and cupping session at Fazenda Santo Antonio. Owner Carol, listed among Forbes’ 100 most powerful women in agriculture, produces a Women’s Project coffee. Her husband Lucas showed us how to pick cherries from a coffee tree. We then stayed at the picturesque Fazenda Pinhal.
Day 5: Carmo Coffees
Our final day was spent at Carmo Coffees, where we toured their stunning warehouse and participated in another expert cupping session. We saw their impressive "wailing wall" where farmers submit samples of their produce.
A trip we will never forget!
