Joia Rara – Brazil

Danilo Barbosa took over the family farm in 1979, a fully Brazilian, family-owned company that began in the early 1900s with Danilo’s great-grandfather. In establishing the farm they set out with one main goal: to foster the growth of the region through producing exceptional, sustainable coffees. Danilo, alongside his wife and kids, now work to maintain the farms in Cerrado Meneiro, a region of Brazil known for producing exceptional coffees located in the state of Minas Gerais. The Barbosa farms encompass 3,322 hectares of land, with 983 hectares dedicated to growing coffee and 1,000 hectares of certified natural reserves. A focus on maintaining the balance between coffee production and environmental protection helps to ensure the area will be able to produce exceptional coffees for years to come!

The Barbosa’s have always been focused on producing the highest quality coffee possible, whether incorporating advanced technologies or experimental varieties, they’re set on getting the most from their beans. A pivotal moment for the family happened in 2018, when Danilo led a shift to focus on specialty coffee. Working with neighboring producers, they were able to fine-tune their production and fermentation processes to begin producing truly spectacular coffee. In 2021 Danilo’s hard work was recognized when they became champions at the Brazillian Cup of Excellence.

The coffee we selected is an anaerobic natural processed Acauã varietal from their farm Joia Rara, located in the Patrocínio municipality of Minas Gerais. Acauã is hybrid varietal from the crossing of Mundo Novo, Sachimor, Catuai varieties, sought after by Brazilian coffee farmers for its high productivity, disease-resistance, and cup quality. This coffee was processed naturally after undergoing anaerobic fermentation. Meaning the coffee was fermented in sealed containers without oxygen before being dried while still in the fruit, which only adds to the sweet, juicy, and intensely fruity aspects of this coffee. We hope you enjoy!