Brazil
Cerrado Mineiro
Ariovaldo Bonfim
Fortaleza
Acaia
Natural
June–August
Dark Chocolate, Strawberry, Red Wine
1150 meters
N/A
60 kg
SOLD OUT
Ariovaldo Bonfim’s farm, Fortaleza, is located in the city of Patrocínio, Minas Gerais, in the Cerrado Mineiro growing region of Brazil. Born and raised in the state of Paraná, he and his family relocated here in 1987 seeking better climate conditions for coffee production. The relocation came with its own challenges though, proving that a lack of skilled labor and machinery resources still made farming difficult. It wasn’t until commercializing their process that they were able to increase their production levels and eventually expand their crop.
Within Cerrado there are many microregions that present unique characteristics in the cup. The Chapadão de Ferro microregion, where Ariovaldo’s farm can be found, is a small town with farms situated around the cone of a partially formed volcano. Farms here are at higher elevations above 1100 meters and coffee is harvested a month or two later than in other parts of Cerrado Mineiro.
Today, Ariovaldo farms with the help of his wife and children, cultivating 5 hectares of coffee on their 5.5 hectare property. They produce several varieties here, including Red and Yellow Catuai, Arara, and Acaia, totalling 330 bags annually. This lot is a Natural process Acaia coffee. Acaia is a cultivar closely related to Mundo Novo, and produces large cherries and seeds.
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.
