Casa Almeida Barreto Espresso - Brazil

Origin: Minas Gerais, Brazil

Producer: Casa Almeida Barreto

Roast: Espresso

Process: Natural

Variety: Arara

Altitude: 1,200 masl

Taste profile: Chocolate milk, nougat, silky body

Certification: Not certified – but produced with sustainable methods and direct trade

Brewing recommendation: Espresso brewing

This coffee comes from Casa Almeida Barreto, a family-owned farm in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where coffee is grown with the same precision and passion as wine. Originally, coffee was planted here mostly as a side dish – but when the family saw the potential in the old coffee trees, they began to refine their methods and develop a new form of coffee production.

With a background in wine production, agronomy and fermentation technology, Jorge and Gabriel take a scientific yet artisanal approach About By using the winery's steel tanks and temperature control, they have developed unique processes that highlight the expression of each terroir.

The 2024 harvest was marked by drought and challenging conditions, but thanks to high organic content in the soil and good farming practices, the family was able to preserve both sweetness and acidity. The result is a naturally processed Arara coffee with a silky body and a rich, chocolatey character – roasted for espresso.

1. The Origin

The coffee is grown at altitudes up to 1,200 meters above sea level in Minas Gerais, where Casa Almeida Barreto deliberately divides the cultivation into small plots based on microclimate, soil type and hours of sunshine – to capture each area's unique flavor profile.

2. Harvesting & processing

Despite a very dry year with severe drought in Brazil, the coffee was able to ripen slowly thanks to the farm's high altitude and fertile soils. Due to the conditions, the natural process was mainly used, as the beans had drier pulp than normal.

3. Fermentation & drying

The beans were dried with full fruit intact, without water-based fermentation, preserving their natural sweetness. The farm's winemaking techniques were applied where possible to maintain aromas and balance even in harsh weather conditions.

4. Roasting

This coffee is roasted for espresso, with a profile that enhances its round body and soft notes of chocolate milk, nougat and low-acid elegance – without compromising on depth.