Brazilian Coffee: The Mata De Minas Legacy

No country produces more coffee than or shaped the global coffee industry quite like Brazil. The state of Minas Gerais alone produces around 30 million 60-kg bags annually, more than any other country in the world, accounting for nearly half of Brazil's staggering output.

Within this massive production landscape lies several distinctive sub-regions, each with unique growing conditions that impart specific characteristics to their coffees. Mata De Minas—the source of our Brazilian coffee—stands out for its exceptional quality and distinctive profile.

Mata De Minas: Brazil's Hidden Gem

While regions like Sul de Minas and Cerrado de Minas often receive more attention in specialty coffee circles, Mata De Minas offers a character all its own. This region is defined by:

  • Warm, humid climate ideal for coffee cultivation
  • Significant variations in elevation creating diverse microclimates
  • Smaller farms (by Brazilian standards), with 80% under 20 hectares
  • Strong tradition of family farming and attention to detail

Unlike the vast mechanized farms found in other Brazilian regions, Mata De Minas predominantly features smaller operations where farmers can dedicate more personal attention to quality at every step of production.

The Pulped Natural Process: Brazil's Signature Method

Our Brazilian coffee undergoes the pulped natural process, known locally as cereja descascado (skinned cherry). This distinctive processing method:

  1. Begins with careful sorting of ripe cherries
  2. Partially removes the fruit's outer skin (pulp) while retaining some of the mucilage
  3. Allows the beans to dry with this thin layer of fruit still attached
  4. Creates a distinctive flavor profile that captures both the clean characteristics of washed coffees and the fruity sweetness of natural process coffees

This method gained significant commercial traction after 1990, when the dissolution of the Brazilian Coffee Institute (IBC) deregulated the market. Freed from strict controls, farmers began experimenting with processing methods to enhance quality and stand out in the global marketplace.

What makes pulped natural Brazilian coffees so remarkable is how they evolve as you drink them. Our Lanesvillian light roast exemplifies this quality, offering a dynamic experience that transforms in the cup:

  • First impressions: Bright opening notes of soft fruit and gentle citrus
  • As it cools: Subtle chocolate undertones emerge and develop
  • Final notes: A satisfying nutty finish provides the perfect conclusion

This evolution makes Brazilian coffee perfect for slow, contemplative enjoyment—a coffee that rewards patience and attention.

Brazil's Rich Coffee History

Brazil's relationship with coffee began in 1727, when Francisco de Melo Palheta smuggled Arabica seeds from French Guiana. Within a century, Brazil had transformed into the world's dominant coffee producer, fundamentally reshaping the global coffee industry.

Coffee fueled Brazil's economic development, with production and exports controlled by powerful agrarian oligarchs, particularly in São Paulo. The abolition of slavery in 1888 brought waves of European immigrants to coffee-growing regions, further expanding production until Brazil supplied approximately 80% of global coffee by the 1920s.

Though other countries have since increased their exports, Brazil still provides over one-third of the world's coffee. The country's own passion for coffee is evident in its domestic consumption of 20 million bags annually. From farm to export, the Brazilian coffee supply chain generates more than 8 million jobs—a testament to coffee's central role in Brazilian life and Brazil's importance to coffee drinkers worldwide.

From Afternoon to Evening

Our light-roasted Brazilian coffee, Lanesvillian, is crafted specifically for those afternoon-to-evening moments when you want to unwind while remaining present. The gentle brightness and evolving complexity make it perfect for contemplative moments as day transitions to dusk.

Unlike heavier morning coffees that prepare you for the day ahead, this Brazilian light roast offers a different experience—one that invites you to slow down and appreciate subtle flavors that reveal themselves gradually with each sip.