Brazil - Valdinei - Peaberry
Cupping Notes: Caramel, Milk chocolate, Red fruits, Creamy Body, Nice Aftertaste
Cupping Score: 84.25
About the Producer
Coffee cultivation has always been a part of Valdinei's life. Initially, he balanced coffee farming with merchant activities, but since he established his plantations, he has been fully dedicated to coffee cultivation. He feels fulfilled to work with what he loves and see the results with each harvest, with his coffees always in prestigious places due to their exceptionally high quality.
About the Producer
Andreia is both a teacher and a coffee producer. She divides her time between the classroom and taking care of the farm. During the harvest season, she splits her time between various post-harvest processes, rotating coffee beans on the drying patio, tending to the dryer, and taking care of the house. For her all this routine it's worth it, especially when all this care and dedication are reflected in highly scored coffees, consistently ranking among the top places in competitions.
About the Property
The Shalom farm is located in the city of Araponga, Minas Gerais. There, the terroir is mountainous and altitudes range from 1150m to 1350m. The plantations are above 1200m, which helps in quality, providing slower maturation. However, this poses many challenges for management, as labour is very limited due to terrain conditions. Care must be constant, and although diseases like rust and coffee leaf miner are not worrisome, attention must be paid to Phoma. Another challenge is the uneven ripening of beans due to multiple flowerings throughout the year. The coffees usually have exceptional quality, contributed by the terroir combined with super careful post-harvest. Valdinei and Andreia's coffees are always among the finalists in competitions. Today, the farm has natural and pulped coffees, with approximately 60% pulped and 40% natural. The coffee area is 10 hectares, while the entire farm has a total area of 21 hectares. The varieties are diverse, and now, with the replanting area, varieties such as paradise and pink bourbon have been included. The preserved forest area reaches 8 hectares, with springs on the farm and well-preserved fauna, coffee farming is in harmony with the environment. For them, coffee brought the joy of working with what they like and the possibility of prospering through coffee farming.
About the Region - Matas de Minas
Located in the east of Minas Gerais, the Matas de Minas region is recognized as one of the most important coffee-producing areas in Brazil. Composed of a landscape characterized by mountains, valleys, and extensive areas of preserved Atlantic forest, this region presents unique climatic and geographical conditions that favour the cultivation of high-quality coffee.
The microclimate of Matas de Minas is one of the main differences for the production of specialty coffees. The combination of high altitudes, ranging from 800 to 1,300 meters above sea level, with the presence of mountain ranges and valleys, creates a diversity of microclimates that directly influence the development of coffee plantations. This variation in altitude provides significant temperature ranges, with hot days and cool nights, which are fundamental for the slow ripening of coffee beans, resulting in an exceptional quality beverage.
In addition to the favourable climate, the soil in the region is rich in nutrients, providing ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Farms and estates in the region often adopt sustainable agricultural practices, prioritizing environmental preservation and the quality of the final product.
Another important aspect is the tradition and knowledge accumulated over generations by local producers. The artisanal care in cultivation, harvesting, and processing of coffee beans is a striking feature of coffee production in Matas de Minas, reflected in the high scores and recognition of the coffees produced in the region in national and international competitions.
The Matas de Minas region, with its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, not only stands out as an important coffee producer but also serves as a hub for rural tourism, attracting visitors who wish to experience the coffee production process up close and enjoy the hospitality of Minas Gerais.
