Brazil produces more coffee by volume than any other country in the world. While the majority of its crop is commodity-grade coffee used as the base for pretty typical espresso blends, in recent years we’ve been lucky enough to try some fantastic Brazilian specialty lots, many of which were provided to us by the experts at Rosetta Roastery. This is one such lot, and comes via a collective of women coffee producers who are part of the Cooxupé coffee cooperative.

Cooxupé is one of the foremost coffee cooperatives in Brazil, and has consistently been at the head of technological and agricultural innovation in the Brazilian coffee industry. Cooxupé receives coffee from over 13 000 farmers located in and around the southern regions of Minas Gerais, Cerrado and Vale do Rio Pardo in São Paulo, the majority of which belong to small family farms. Thanks to a combination of producer expertise and support from the cooperative, Cooxupé has historically been at the head of the Brazilian coffee industry in terms of exports, whilst still adhering to international sustainability standards and best-practices.

This coffee is a natural Red Catuai, promising mild and clean flavour notes brought out by Rosetta’s gentle, classic roast, which should promote sweetness and clarity in the cup.

Phaedon's tasting notes

This one's a true classic. This is the definite crowd-pleaser in Rosetta's current range. This is exactly what you need to be drinking on a cold winter morning. It's full-bodied; it's toasty; it's creamy; it's sweet; it has a little bit of fruit to detect, but nothing overpowering. It's also incredibly versatile I had great brews with this coffee in everything from my AeroPress to my siphon.

Rosetta Roastery's notes

Style: Classic
Flavour profile: Gentle acidity, melon, lingering clean finish

“By taking it slow and steady, we avoid running the risk of scorching these lower density naturals. We extend the development phase while keeping the drop out temperature low. This increases solubility, and in conjunction with higher airflow applications, the clarity of this lot really comes through.”

Coffee details from Rosetta

“The Luzia collective is made up of some ambitious female producers, including Josiani Morae of Fazenda Santa Cruz. They are members of the Cooxupé Cooperative, and partners of SMC. The amazing support system the cooperative provides enables the women to continually reinvest in their production and elevate their coffee. Lectures, workshops, courses, and discussions with guidance from agronomists and online learning platforms all foster a strong sense of community.”

• Altitude: 975 - 1200 masl
• Processing: Natural
• Variety: Red Catuai
• Region: Cabo Verde, Sul de Minas
• Country: Brazil
• Producers: Smallholder farmers of Luzia Collective
• Harvest: 2023