TASTING NOTES
BEHIND THE CUP
In the verdant heart of Brazil, where the air whispers tales of the earth and the sky kisses the horizon with an artist's palette, there lies a coffee farm, a jewel passed down through the whispers of time. This isn't just any farm, but a sanctuary where Emilia Ferraz Cruz, the scion of the Cruz lineage, now stands at the helm. Her father, Fernando Cruz Neto, an agronomist of renowned skill and passion, tended to this land for half a century, weaving his love and knowledge into the very soil.
Here, amidst the high altitudes where the morning fog dares not tread, a symphony of coffee varietals thrives, a testament to the legacy of care and expertise that has flourished under the Cruz watch. The farm, predominantly swathed in the resilient Icatu, sings a melody of tradition and innovation, a harmony that finds its crescendo in their signature blend.
The Cruz method of patio drying, a ballet danced under the open sky, takes full advantage of the gentle sun and caressing breezes, ensuring each cherry's moisture retreats gracefully, leaving behind the concentrated promise of flavour. Here, bricks and concrete, ancient in their simplicity, cradle the warmth of the day, whispering secrets of resilience and patience to the drying cherries.
As the day wanes, the Maquina D’Andrea, a marvel of Brazilian ingenuity, takes the stage. In this vertical drier, the beans embark on a cyclical voyage—falling like leaves in autumn, only to be caressed by a warm updraft, ascending once more in a perpetual dance of heat and movement. This traditional ritual, a ballet of air and warmth, ensures each bean's essence is cradled until it reaches perfection.
Finally, in the quiet solace of wooden silos, the beans rest, nestled in their wooden cradle, dreaming of the journey from soil to cup. This, dear connoisseur, is not merely a process but a passage—a voyage from the heart of Brazil to the soul of your cup, each sip a testament to the legacy of the Cruz family, a whisper of adventure, tradition, and the promise of a morning reborn with each cup.
NOTES FOR GEEKS
Location | Brazil |
Region | Minas Gerais |
Cultivar | Icatu, Yellow Bourbon, Yellow & Red Catuai, Catucai, Mundo Novo |
Elevation | 1200-1480 Metres |
Process |
Natural |