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 cultivated with the same precision and passion as wine. Originally, coffee was mostly planted here incidentally – but when the family saw the potential in the old coffee trees, they began refining the methods and developing 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 to coffee cultivation. 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 the high organic content in the soil and good agricultural practices, the family was able to preserve both sweetness and acidity. The result is a naturally processed Arara coffee with a silky body and rich, chocolatey character – roasted for espresso.

1. 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 lots based on microclimate, soil type, and hours of sunlight – to capture each area's unique flavor profile.

2. Harvest & processing

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

3. Fermentation & drying

The beans were dried with the whole fruit intact, without water-based fermentation, which preserves their natural sweetness. The farm's wine technique was applied where possible to maintain aromas and balance even under tough weather conditions.

4. Roasting

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