BARRINHA, BRAZIL

 

This lots arrival marks the second year and harvest of Barrinha for us, alongside Fortis Green, our second pillar in our Chocolatey & Smooth category. This years harvest continues where the last left off, a super smooth and well rounded cup, filled with sweet nuts and a low dried fruit acidity. An ever so moreish biscuit note adds depth and complexity. The lot you have come to know and love throughout last year, sit back and enjoy the brews of this years Barrinha!

 

FAZENDA BARRINHA

Fazenda Barrinha, owned by Bruna’s parents, Armando and Andrea, is nestled in the rolling hills at an elevation of 800-1,100 masl, and grows Mundo Novo. Located just outside the town of Pinhal, this region is renowned for its prime volcanic and fertile soil. The farm is not only dedicated to coffee production; it also hosts a small number of cattle and horses. These animals contribute natural compost for the coffee plants, all produced on-site. 

Recently, Fazenda Barrinha installed natural irrigation lines to address the increasingly frequent dry weather. This irrigation system helps ensure a more uniform flowering stage during cherry maturation. Water for irrigation is sourced from the farm’s lake, and nutrients can be added in the pump house separately to the lake water, before being evenly distributed to the plants. This significantly reduces the manual labour otherwise needed for these inputs. The irrigation system is used only when strictly necessary to avoid water wastage.

The farm’s dense vegetation is home to diverse wildlife; workers fishing once spotted a black panther at dusk. Fazenda Barrinha also has its own fruit and vegetables, growing bananas, papaya, limes, and cassava. Additionally, plenty of lavender is cultivated to attract bees, and several beehives are strategically placed around the farm to aid in the coffee pollination. During Bossa's most recent visit, they were delighted to see Toucans, Macaws and Harpy Eagles. The farm utilizes a traditional practice known as “zero harvest,” which involves rotating sections of trees between rest years and harvest years. This method reduces stress on the plants and is common in the Mogiana region.

Barrinha Farm has been in the Costa family for three generations. Armadno Costa is now the head of operations for the Costa family, and for him the farm and land is not solely about coffee productions, but also a sanctuary for all the family passions. One of the main ones is horses - the farm has a ranch and holds cutting horse competitions. In the early 2000's, Armando Costa’s youngest son became the national champion in Brazil! The farm also grows lots of lavender and has recently planted some experimental coffee lots, such as Maragogypes.

The farm manager Fabiana is a farming enthusiast and alongside coffee grows lots of fruits and vegetables which she uses in her cooking. Armando Costa has been in the coffee industry for over 35 years producing and exporting coffee, and as a result many international coffee industry guests come and stay at the farm. Here they have the pleasure of learning all about the coffee production, alongside Fabi’s famous recipes and caipirinhas. 

 30% of the farm is preserved as native vegetation and lots of animals and birds native from the Mata Atlantica can be spotted here. Armando Costa is very enthusiastic about the ever changing industry and loves talking about the dynamics of it and learning about all the differences in each country. Over the past 13 years he has been joined by Bruna, his oldest daughter, who has built her career in specialty coffee independently and now joins the family business to showcase not only the family's coffees, but also coffees from friends in the region.

 

BOSSA COFFEE

Bossa Cofffee are looking for ways to positively impact origin when sourcing green coffee. Bossa Coffee want to simplify the coffee world by promoting authentic connections and embrace the beauty of collective learning.

Bossa Coffee believe that sharing knowledge and experiences throughout the industry is the most powerful means of change, and by working together we plan to be a part of it, and to be able to promote it. This is driven by vertical integration with direct involvement as exporters, producers and roasters. Bossa Coffee want to bring back knowledge about the consuming side of the industry to the producing communities they are already a part of. We look forward to partering up with Bossa Coffee and being a part of their jouyrney as they build new relationships and positively impact origin.

 

 

(In partnership with Bossa Coffee)