Brazil Natural Red Catuai Faz. Agua Limpa

About Brazil Natural Red Catuai Faz. Agua Limpa

Arrived second half December 2012 packed in Grainpro, first of the new crop Brazils. More coffee heading this way.

The farm, which is named after the region traditionally called Agua Limpa, was first started by their father and is now managed by Fernando and brother Ricardo. The two brothers work hard to preserve conservation areas, river sources, reforestation, and they value the determination of their employees to share this respect for the land. Among coffee plants there is also an array of wildlife and other plant life, including cedar, trumpet trees, canaries, forest fox, tiger cat.

Located in the Cerrado Mineiro region, the farm flourishes in the hot and humind summers with plentiful rainfall. The varietal is red catuai and the process is natural, meaning the coffee fruit is left on the seed while it dries, giving the coffee an inherently fruity taste.

• Farmer: Fernando Gontijo de Almeida
• Farm: Agua Limpa
• Processing: Natural
• Region: Cerrado Mineiro

Cup Characteristics: Pronounced cocoa texture and flavor. Very clean, smooth. As an espresso it had some of the characteristic 'bite' of Brazil naturals but not over the top. Acidity is medium, sweet. Long finish, mouth coating. Good component choice for traditional espresso blends.

Roasting Notes: Depends on your intended use. As an espresso blend component, for which it's very well suited, you can run the gamut from City+, a lightness you might see in Northern Italian styles, but this coffee would be terrific at a Viennese roast level, past second crack but pulled before caramelization. Some might want it darker still but at that point much of the sweetness would be gone. On a Behmor try P3.