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Brazil: the undisputed ruler of the coffee world

14/07/2022
by coffees.gr

The country of carnival, samba and football is also a country of coffee.

The magical world of coffee has a clear dominance. The homeland and cradle of coffee may be Ethiopia, but the country that has become almost synonymous with coffee is, without a doubt, Brazil!

Having been the largest coffee producer for more than 150 consecutive years, and a long way from the latter, Brazil has every right to be proud of holding the scepter in coffee. Coffee for Brazil was not only one of its most important products and one of the main levers of its economy, but a product that influenced its history, its politics, its population composition. The form of Brazil would definitely be extremely different if it were not for coffee.

Let's meet this familiar stranger, Brazilian coffee!



A brief history of coffee in Brazil

The first coffee tree was planted in Brazil in 1727 by Francisco de Melo Palheta, with seeds he secretly brought from neighboring French Guiana, seducing the local governor's wife, according to legend. The beginning of coffee cultivation in Brazil was an ardent desire of the Portuguese colonialists, who wanted a share of the flourishing coffee market.

As early as the end of the 18th century, cultivation was systematized to meet the growing demands of Europe and America, and by 1830 coffee became Brazil's most important export product and Brazil the largest power of coffee. Unfortunately, this brought about a boom in the slave trade, as cheap labor was necessary for the plantations, but after the abolition of slavery, Brazil became a center of immigration, as the supply of labor was very high, even under difficult conditions.

The first years of the 20th century brought rapid growth in coffee growing, immigrants from all over the world flocked to Brazil to work in Fazendas (coffee plantations) while coffee profits (but also the need for better transportation) funded infrastructure projects. , such as railways, ports, etc. In the 1920s, Brazil produced 80% of the world's total coffee.

Brazil is now the world's largest coffee producer, accounting for almost a third of world coffee production. Coffee plantations cover a total area of ​​27,000 square kilometers and are concentrated mainly in the southeast of the country, where conditions are more conducive to coffee cultivation, namely in the states of Mina Gerais, Sao Paulo and Parana.

What does Brazilian Coffee taste like?

In Brazil, both Arabica and Robusta are grown with great success, while it is a given that in a country with such a large production, many different varieties and different qualities of coffee thrive.

It is difficult to define the taste of Brazilian coffee, mainly because of the many different terroirs but also the different varieties. In general, Brazilian coffee is characterized by balance, low acidity, "round" body and bittersweet aromas. The main flavors that usually stand out are chocolate and nuts.

Due to its balanced and modest nature, Brazilian coffee is an ideal base for blends, as it can be combined with the lively coffees of Africa, and the earthy and strong coffees of Asia, but also with its fruity and adventurous coffees. Central America with excellent results. Its use in blends is so widespread that it is certain that we have tasted Brazilian coffee many times, even if we do not know it. In recent years, there are often single-variety choices from Brazil, which are usually of excellent quality.

Four delicious suggestions for espresso with Brazilian aroma

Illy Arabica Selection Brasile 250g:  Single origin, 100% Arabica coffee from the Cerrado Mineiro region of Brazil. Rich cream, firm body and caramel notes characterize this coffee, which is one of the varieties that compose the legendary signature blend of Illy.

Cosmai Caffè Buena 250g: Single origin, 100% Arabica coffee from Southeastern Brazil, guaranteed by the Italian Cosmai Caffè. Its delicate aroma, medium acidity and balanced intensity guarantee a unique espresso experience.

Ipanema Espresso 250g: Single origin, 100% Arabica coffee from Ipanema farm in Brazil. It is characterized by a special aftertaste of citrus and honey, which makes it unique, while its rich cream is impressive for 100% Arabica coffee.

Lavazza Tierra Brasile Intense 1000g: Espresso blend from coffee beans from the Minas Gerais coffee plantations in Brazil. Fine Arabica (70%) is mixed with washed Robusta of the local Conilon variety (30%). In the mouth it shows notes of cocoa, hazelnuts and brown sugar, while its character is dynamic.

This year we were deprived of the carnival, we were deprived of the frantic places like Samba, we were deprived even of the joy of football - but nothing can deprive us of a delicious, aromatic Brazilian coffee!