Espressa Series: The Top 5 Coffee-Growing Regions in the World - Brazil
Brazil – The Largest Coffee-Growing Region in the World
In the second article of our series on the top 5 coffee-growing regions, we head to South America, specifically to Brazil, the most populous and largest country on the continent.
Brazil is also the country from which Switzerland imports the most coffee. In 2018, imports amounted to around 44,000 tons of green coffee, accounting for over a quarter of Switzerland's total coffee imports.
Coffee Cultivation in Brazil: The Beginnings
Compared to other countries, coffee cultivation in Brazil has a relatively recent history. It wasn't until the 18th century that a Portuguese officer introduced coffee plants to Brazil, laying the foundation for the modern coffee industry.
The coffee plant quickly spread throughout the country. Large landowners established plantations, laying the groundwork for industrial coffee production. Until the late 19th century, most of the labor on these plantations came from African slaves. After the abolition of slavery, the government supported coffee production and invested in infrastructure, making Brazil a major coffee exporter. Today, one in every four coffee plants globally grows in Brazil.
Coffee Cultivation in Brazil Today
Brazil hosts nearly 290,000 coffee farms, ranging from small plots of one hectare to large plantations covering over 25,000 hectares. A significant portion of these farms are run by smallholder farmers cultivating on less than 20 hectares.
Brazilian coffee is often grown in monoculture, using pesticides and fertilizers. This allows for affordable prices but reduces the quality of the beans and depletes the soil. Large-scale production is also aided by mechanical harvesting, which boosts efficiency but often picks unripe cherries as well.
A gentler alternative is semi-mechanical harvesting, where smaller machines shake only the ripe cherries from the trees. Subsequent manual sorting ensures that only ripe fruits are processed.
The Ideal Conditions for Coffee Cultivation
With its tropical transitional climate, Brazil provides ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Most of the coffee-growing regions are in the southeast, especially in Minas Gerais. Coffee is cultivated in 16 of Brazil's 27 states, making the country the leading coffee producer for over 150 years.
Brazil mainly grows Arabica, though Robusta, known locally as Cornillon, is also found in some regions. Popular Arabica-growing regions include Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Paraná, Bahia, and Rondônia.
Flavor Diversity in Brazilian Coffees
Brazilian coffees feature a wide variety of flavors. The aromas vary by region, ranging from chocolate and nutty notes to fruity, tropical tones. The coffee cherries are typically processed using the Natural Processing method, where they dry in the sun on raised beds.
Another method is Pulped Natural, or Honey Processing, where part of the sticky mucilage between the bean and the pulp remains, adding extra sweetness to the coffee.
Coffee Consumption and Culture in Brazil
Brazil consumes a large portion of its coffee production, similar to coffee-producing Ethiopia. About one-fifth of the annual harvest remains in the country. The Cafezinho, a small, sweetened coffee, is particularly popular and is traditionally served as a gesture of welcome.
If you're greeted in Brazil with the words "Você quer um cafezinho?," it’s best not to decline. The Cafezinho symbolizes hospitality and a warm welcome.
In major cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the Third Wave coffee culture is also taking hold, celebrating high-quality, locally grown specialty coffee. Many Brazilians now appreciate direct access to farms and prefer coffee from small producers, often cultivated among mango and banana trees, offering a unique flavor richness.
Experience Brazilian coffee culture and discover new flavors for your next cup of coffee!
Brasilianischer Kaffee: Vielfalt der Aromen
Brasilianischer Kaffee bietet ein breites Spektrum an Aromen, von Schokolade- und Nussnoten bis zu fruchtigen Tönen, die an tropische Früchte erinnern. Besonders Single-Origin-Kaffees von kleineren Farmen bestechen durch ausgeprägte Geschmacksprofile. Meist werden die Bohnen auf Sonnentrockenbetten verarbeitet, was auch als "Natural Processing" bezeichnet wird. Alternativ wird bei der „Pulped Natural“-Methode ein Teil des Fruchtfleisches an der Bohne belassen, um eine noch intensivere Aromavielfalt zu erzielen.
Kaffeekultur in Brasilien: Cafezinho und Third-Wave-Kaffee
Der „Cafezinho“, ein kleiner, stark gesüsster Kaffee, ist für die Brasilianer mehr als ein Getränk – er ist Symbol der Gastfreundschaft. Besucher werden oft mit einem „Você quer um cafezinho?“ willkommen geheissen, was so viel bedeutet wie „Willkommen bei uns“. In Städten wie São Paulo und Rio de Janeiro ist inzwischen die Third-Wave-Kaffeekultur angekommen, die brasilianische Kaffees neu interpretiert. Besonders beliebt sind hier Kaffees von kleinen Farmen, die zwischen tropischen Obstbäumen gedeihen und ein einzigartiges Aroma entwickeln.
Entdecken Sie weitere spannende Beiträge zu den Top-Kaffeeanbauregionen und lassen Sie sich inspirieren für Ihre nächste Tasse Kaffee!