Brazil - Danielle Fonseca - Yellow Catuai/Topazio 170h Fermentation
Cupping Notes: Floral, Spices, Yellow fruits, Red fruits, Creamy Body with a persistent aftertaste
Cupping Score: 88.50
PRODUCER
Danielle Fonseca holds a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, is a Q-grader, co-founder, and vice president of Flowins. She is responsible for managing Fazenda da Serra. In partnership with Renature, Danielle led the project to raise funds for the implementation of two experimental agroforestry areas on the farm. Currently, the project is being expanded to benefit other producers, following the model practiced at Fazenda da Serra.
PROPERTY
The Fazenda da Serra, located in the South of Minas Gerais, belongs to the family of the late Aureliano Chaves. Today, the farm is managed with dedication by his granddaughter Danielle, her husband Renato Fonseca, and their daughter Maria CecÃlia, with Danielle actively participating since 2018. The property houses an experimental area curated by Flowins, where regenerative techniques, agroforestry projects, and post-harvest and management experiments are tested daily. Additionally, the farm is home to the physical and sensory analysis laboratory and the office for part of the Flowins and Noca teams.
Coffee is the main productive activity of the farm, with 42 hectares dedicated to varieties such as Red and Yellow CatuaÃ, Topázio, Rubi, Mundo Novo, and the newly planted ParaÃso MG2, Catucaà 2SL, and Arara. Eighty percent of the production is exported to Canada, a market opened by Priscila, also Aureliano’s granddaughter. The remaining twenty percent supplies the market of coffee shops in Brazil and the farm's roasted coffee brand, COMTU coffee.
Fazenda da Serra is recognized for its regenerative production and deep connection to the family's history, reflecting Aureliano Chaves's legacy. Each step of the production process is a tribute to the commitment to quality and family heritage.
REGION
The South of Minas Gerais is a prominent region in the Brazilian coffee industry, recognized not only nationally but also internationally for the excellence of its coffees. With a rich history and a century-old tradition in coffee production, this region enjoys a unique terroir, where factors such as altitude, soil, and climate combine favourably for the cultivation of high-quality coffee.
The diverse geography of South Minas Gerais offers a variety of microclimates, from gentle plains to rugged mountains, creating ideal conditions for the development of different coffee varieties. This diversity of terroir results in an impressive range of flavour profiles, aromas, and sensory characteristics of the coffees produced in the region.
Additionally, South Minas Gerais is known for its tradition of sustainable cultivation methods and responsible agricultural practices. Many producers in the region adopt organic and agroecological production techniques, aiming not only for the quality of the final product but also for environmental preservation and the well-being of local communities.
Over the years, South Minas Gerais has established itself as a global reference for specialty coffees, winning awards and recognition in national and international competitions. The quality and consistency of the coffees produced in this region attract the attention of discerning buyers and enthusiasts worldwide, significantly contributing to the local economy and projecting Brazil as one of the leading producers of high-quality coffee.
In short, South Minas Gerais is more than just a coffee-producing region; it is a true cradle of tradition, quality, and innovation in Brazilian coffee growing, leaving a lasting legacy in the history of coffee in the country and the world.
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