BRAZIL Palmital

A century-old family farm in the mountains of Minas Gerais, producing a classic Brazilian coffee from one of the country's most celebrated regions.

Producers: Rodrigues de Melo family

Farm: Fazenda Palmital

Variety: Catuai, Mundo Novo

Process: Pulped Natural

Region: Minas Gerais

Elevation: 950-1150m

Harvest: June-July 2025

Fazenda Palmital has been in the Rodrigues de Melo family for over a century. Augusto oversees coffee operations today, working alongside a loyal team - many of whom have a generational relationship with the farm. Coffee from three additional family farms is processed here under the same name. Thirty-five percent of the farm is kept as protected forest, and energy needs are met entirely by solar power.

As with most Brazilian coffee farms, mechanization is relied on for picking. The farm has begun to experiment with new technologies - including drones for inspections and fertilisation.

The coffee is a pulped natural. After pulping some mucilage remains on the beans as they are dried on patios with to around 25% moisture before moving to mechanical dryers and brought down to 11% moisture. The dried beans then rest in wooden silos before hulling and storage.

The result is a classic Brazilian cup - smooth, approachable and well-rounded, tasting of dark chocolate and a gentle nutty sweetness.