Brazil has been recognized as the world’s number-one producer of coffee for over a century. We have also recently surpassed the United States as the leading consumer of coffee! From these statistics, it’s clear that Brazilians take our coffee seriously, which is why we are able to produce a wide variety of coffee products that are enjoyed by people from all walks of life.
Brazilian Coffee
Coffee is known as cafézinho in Brazil. At home, it is common for us to offer a cup of coffee to every visitor, regardless of the season. As Brazilian coffee is strong, it is often served in a small cup. Because we are ardent fans of our coffee, you will find that we keep our coffee combos simple such as taking it with just a drop of milk.
Importance of Coffee for Brazil
Brazil first started investing in coffee plantations when sugar became less profitable. Coffee eventually became the dominant market in Brazil’s economy. In the 1760s, the world saw a significant growth in coffee production in Brazil, which was immediately taken advantage of by the country to drive its economy. A coffee circle, Ciclo Cafeeiro, was then launched and made use of plants brought into Rio from Maranhão.
From there, production took off and the Brazilian GDP improved tremendously between the years 1835 and 1850. Eventually, Brazilian Coffee found its way into the world’s economy and culture. Today, Brazil remains the biggest producer and exporter of coffee that is responsible for at least a third of the world’s coffee production.
Best Regions in Brazil for Coffee
The following are some of the best regions in Brazil for coffee production:
- Cerrado Mineiro
- Chapada Diamantina
- Matas de Minas
- Sul de Minas
- Alta Mogiana
- Mantiqueira de Minas
- Montanhas do Espírito Santo
- Ourinhos e Avaré
- Rio de Janeiro
- Norte do Paraná
Brazilian Coffee Fun Facts
- Brazil has approximately 290,000 coffee growers.
- Brazil produces roughly 30 percent of the world’s supply of coffee.
- Minas Gerais is located within the southeastern region of Brazil, and it is the country’s biggest coffee producer.
- Coffee beans in Brazil are harvested from the month of May through to September.
- Brazil is the top exporter of Coffee to the United States with a 28 percent share.
- Coffee is picked traditionally by hand which equates to just a single or a couple of harvests done on each coffee bush.
- Approximately 80 percent of coffee from Brazil is known as Arabica.
The Taste of Brazilian Coffee
Brazil’s diverse geography means that there is a wide variety of coffee blends to be found here. There are the Robusta beans which are not as remarkable and can be quite bitter. They are grown in the grasslands and produce a mild earthy flavor. Arabica beans produce a much more delicate sweetness that is highly sought after. There are also other complex flavors that you can expect from the wide range of coffee beans from Brazil. Some are floral and fruity, whereas others may smell and taste spicy and nutty depending on their individual blend.