COFFEE PRODUCING REGIONS
MINAS GERAIS
Minas Gerais is a state of great economic impact in Brazil. And among the main activities carried out, coffee production stands out, where it is considered the largest coffee producer in Brazil, producing more than 50% of the national crop. Coffee is cultivated in an area of approximately 1.5 million hectares, and 99% of the beans are classified as Arabica.
Minas Gerais coffees are distinguished by different flavors and aromas, possible mainly due to variations in climate, altitude and production systems. These characteristics allow the conquest of several clients in the national and international markets.
Fonte: BSCA
Sul de Minas
The favorable climate and relief, combined with an artisanal production of the drink, are the secrets of the award-winning region. The factors for success are dedication in all stages of production, solid infrastructure and investments in research. In the southwest of this region, there are producing cities, such as Guaxupé – which has the largest cooperative in Brazil, Cooxupé, and the cities of Varginha and Três Pontas. The south of Minas has mild temperatures (between 18 and 20 degrees) and high altitudes (up to 1,400 meters) and has become one of the main producers of specialty coffees in Brazil. Other producing municipalities are Poços de Caldas and Muzambinho. Coffee characteristics: Southwest – medium body, high acidity, sweet, with floral and citric notes; mountains – velvety body, high acidity, sweet, with caramel, chocolate, almond, citric and fruity notes.
Mantiqueira de Minas
Located on the side of Serra da Mantiqueira, in the south of Minas Gerais, the region has a centuries-old tradition in the production of quality coffees. Mantiqueira de Minas is today one of the most awarded regions in Brazil. In 2011, the area was recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI), in the Indication of Origin (IP) modality, and in 2020 it was recognized as a Denomination of Origin (DO), for its tradition and worldwide reputation for producing specialty coffees with a highly sensory profile. differentiated. These are rare and surprising coffees that reflect the combination of a unique terroir and local know-how that continually seeks excellence. Among the municipalities, Carmo de Minas stands out, a small town that won many awards. Other cities in the region that stand out in production are Conceição das Pedras, Paraisópolis, Jesuânia, Lambari, Cristina, Dom Viçoso and Pedralva. Coffee characteristics: Wet way - citrus and floral notes, creamy and dense body, citric acidity with medium high intensity, high sweetness, long finish; Dry – citric, floral, fruity, creamy and dense body, medium-high acidity, high sweetness.
Chapada de Minas
The newest frontier in Minas Gerais, explored for coffee planting, is Chapada de Minas, in Vale do Jequitinhonha, where the town of Capelinha is located, which concentrates an important part of local production. Among the producing cities are also Angellândia, Montes Claros and Buritizeiro. Coffee characteristics: caramel, raisins, dense body, citric acidity and lemongrass.
Matas de Minas
In this region, most of the coffee trees are of the Arabica variety and cultivated in areas of mountainous and irregular topography, at altitudes of 600 to 1200 meters. The territory's mild climate, combined with the technological evolution of artisanal processes developed in the region, result in artisanal quality coffees and a diversity of flavors and nuances.
Production is marked by the predominance of family farming, the direct and indirect economic and social impact and the natural integration between man and the forest, cultural factors present in coffee growing in this region.
Mountains of Minas
Region that emerged for the specialty coffee market after the beginning of the production of pulped cherry coffee. Today, producers are among the finalists in special coffee competitions and export to countries such as Japan, Europe and the United States. The main producing cities are Diamantina, Presidente Kubitschek, Manhuaçu, Ervália, Araponga and Viçosa. Coffee characteristics: medium to full body, medium acidity, high sweetness, with a chocolate aroma and citrus flavor.
North and Northwest of Minas
This region is home to important species of flora and fauna and its vegetation has small and medium-sized trees that are generally quite crooked. The region encompasses the Serra da Canastra National Park. There is an expressive agricultural production and there are important agroindustries. Among the millions of inhabitants, we find, among others, traditional populations, such as quilombolas, riverside dwellers, inhabitants of the hinterland and Indians.
Cerrado Mineiro
Cerrado producers also have a lucrative business in coffee. The fruit began to be cultivated in the region late, in the 1970s, by farmers from Paraná fleeing the frosts and from São Paulo who faced the nematode problem. At the time, there was no technology that would allow planting in the region. Through liming (a technique that corrects soil acidity) and irrigation, large-scale cultivation became possible. Coffee growers also invested in quality and were pioneers in the production of specialty coffee, with guaranteed origin and quality. The Cerrado Mineiro has a dry climate during the harvest period, which means that the coffee suffers less from humidity after harvesting. The region, which covers 55 municipalities located in the Triângulo, Alto Paranaíba and Noroeste de Minas, won the Denomination of Origin in 2013 and was the first coffee region in the country to receive this recognition. The main producing cities are Patrocínio, Monte Carmelo, Araguari, Patos de Minas, Campos Altos, Unaí, Serra do Salitre, São Gotardo, Araxá and Carmo do Paranaíba. Coffee characteristics: intense aroma, with hints of caramel and nuts, delicate and citric acidity, full-bodied, sweet flavor with hints of chocolate and long-lasting finish.
Campo das Vertentes
Campo das Vertentes is a mesoregion located about 200 km south of Belo Horizonte, the state capital. It is the newest Indication of Origin (IP) in Minas Gerais for green coffee beans, industrialized coffee in the roasted and ground condition, as granted by the INPI.
It consists of plateaus, whose altitude varies from 500 to 1,000 m. To the east it is cut by the Serra da Mantiqueira, above 1,500 m. The climate is mild, with cool and rainy summers and very cold winters in the higher regions. These conditions favor the production of quality Arabica coffee, which has some varieties that are especially popular in the region, such as Yellow Bourbon, Yellow Catuaí, Red Catuaí and New World. Coffees from this region are also known for being quite sweet, with a balanced body, and hints of chocolate and nuts.
Volcanic Region
In the Volcanic Region, the predominant vegetation is formed by tropical forests of the Atlantic Forest type. With volcanic soil, the altitudes of the crops vary between 700 and 1,300 meters, with an average of 1,075 meters.
The average annual temperature is between 17 and 20°C, and average rainfall is 1,686 mm in the region, providing exceptional conditions for high-quality coffee growing.