Brazil
Cerrado Mineiro
Luciano Rodrigues Carneiro
Boqueirão Farm
Paraiso
Fermented
July-September
Fig, Lemon, Milk Chocolate, Red Fruit, Roasted Nuts, Silky
1200 meters
N/A
60 kg
UK - Bury St Edmunds - Vollers
The history of Fazenda Retiro is relatively recent compared to many traditional farms, but it is rooted in family heritage. The coffee journey began when José Maria de Faria’s older brother decided to cultivate the portion of land he inherited from their parents, marking the first chapter of the family’s involvement in coffee growing.
The family has always lived in the same region. Because the land was passed down through generations—and even with the acquisition of a few new plots over time—all areas remain within the same locality, Morro Alto, named after a distinctive hill, easily recognized for its height and shape that stands out in the landscape.
In the early days, the greatest challenge was waiting for the first harvest, a crucial period for ensuring the farm’s financial sustainability. Through patience, planning, and financial discipline, they successfully navigated this initial stage.
Today, the most significant challenge is the dry season. To overcome it, the family implemented an irrigation system to guarantee that the coffee plants receive water at the most critical moments. Their approach to cultivation is marked by strict care with timing and precise treatment applications, ensuring plant health and coffee quality.
José’s main motivation is to build a stable and tranquil future for his family, creating something solid for the next generations. From the beginning, he has counted on the help of his nephew, Hugo, who plays an essential role in managing crop care. Looking ahead, José finds confidence and hope in his daughter Isabela’s genuine interest in coffee growing, reinforcing the continuity of the family’s legacy.
For this Paraíso lot, the cherries were harvested at peak ripeness and dried on a concrete patio for approximately 8 to 12 days, until they reached the ideal moisture level. After drying, the coffee was taken for processing, where the parchment and peel were removed, preparing the lot for roasting and cupping.
The Cerrado Mineiro region, located in northwest of Minas Gerais State, is a world-recognized, high-quality coffee producing origin and became the first Protected Geographical Indication in Brazil in 2005, with full Designation of Origin in 2013. A strong characteristic of this region is its well-defined seasons—a hot, wet summer followed by a pleasantly dry winter. The dry climate during harvest eliminates potential problems with humidity during the drying process.
Minas Gerais is Brazil’s principal agricultural state, and the Cerrado is home to many of the country’s celebrated coffee estates, with expertise in planting, harvesting, drying, and sorting. We love Cerrado coffees for their big body, rich chocolate notes, and velvety texture when pulled as espresso.
Today, the area’s 4,500 farmers produce a combined average of 6 million bags per harvest, with an average of 35 bags per hectare. To reach these production levels, producers had to first adapt to the region’s conditions. Coffee farmers first arrived in Cerrado in the 1970’s, after being pushed out of the state of Parana by frost and out of the state of Sao Paulo by nematodes. They found the soil in Cerrado to be very acidic, which they rectified with the application of calcium to create the healthy soils they enjoy today.
Cerrado coffee farms are cultivated in areas with elevations varying between 800 and 1,300 meters above sea level and are known for consistently producing high quality coffees with a repeatable profile. Independent of farm size, the spirit of professionalism is present throughout Cerrado’s coffee producers. Entrepreneurialism is part of farmers’ DNA, and many producers are second or third generation growers who also hold degrees in agronomic engineering, business management, and administration. While each family narrative is different, Cerrado is characterized by an enterprising attitude.
