Coffee of the month; Brazil Santos

Coffee of the month; Brazil Santos

The origin story 

The Brazil Santos coffee has a rich origin story deeply rooted in Brazil's coffee history. Coffee first arrived in Brazil in 1727, brought by Portuguese Lt. Col Francisco del Melo Palheta from French Guiana. Initially consumed locally, Brazilian coffee gained popularity in Europe and the United States, leading to increased exports. By the 1800s, Brazil was a major coffee producer, with 30% of the world's coffee coming from its farms. Brazil's coffee industry thrived due to innovations like new plant varieties and processing methods, making it a global leader in coffee research and production. 


With the widest varieties of coffee, Brazilian coffee remains the world's largest producer of the same, with diverse flavours ranging from earthy and spicy to fruity and floral. Brazil Santos coffee, named after the region, is a premium coffee known for its quality and Bourbon or Arabica beans. The coffee is grown in regions like Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, São Paulo, and Bahia, with a harvest season from April to September. Brazilian coffee is processed using methods like natural, pulp natural, and wet-processing, resulting in a variety of flavours.


Brazil Santos coffee is characterised by its sweet, floral, and smooth acidity, making it a versatile choice for blends or as a single-origin coffee. The coffee's mild and nutty profile with low acidity makes it ideal for espresso and blends, offering a smooth and flavourful experience. Despite its simplicity, Brazil Santos coffee showcases creativity and continuous improvement in flavour profiles, challenging expectations and delivering a unique coffee experience.

Brazil Santos: Flavour profile 

Brazil Santos coffee is known for its smooth and mild flavours, often described as sweet and nutty. 

The taste profile varies depending on the region and processing method. For instance, Santos coffee from the Sul de Minas region is characterised by a fruitier aroma and a hint of citrus in the taste, with a full body

On the other hand, coffee from the Mogiana region is renowned for its rich red soil, which contributes to its high-quality coffee, such as Catuaí and Mundo Novo varieties

Acidity

Brazil Santos coffee has a mild acidity, making it a popular choice for blends and single-origin brews. The acidity level varies depending on the region and altitude, with higher altitude coffees generally having more pronounced acidity

Texture

Brazil Santos coffee has a medium and smooth body, providing a pleasant mouthfeel. The texture is often described as velvety, making it a delightful choice for various brewing methods, including espresso, pour-over, and drip coffee

Aroma

The aroma of Brazil Santos coffee is often characterised by a nutty, chocolatey, or caramel scent, depending on the region and processing method. The natural process method, for example, enhances the chocolatey and nutty notes in the coffee, while the dry/natural process method brings out its fruity aroma

The brewing story 

Brewing Process for Brazil Santos Coffee:

  1. Choose a roast level: Roast the Brazil Santos coffee to a Full City to Full City+ level, which highlights its unique flavour profile.
  2. Select a brewing method: Brazil Santos coffee is versatile and can be enjoyed using various brewing methods, however the best ones include espresso and cold brew. 

Espresso

This method enhances the rich cocoa and nutty notes of the coffee. The perfect brewing for the same is: 

Step1: Grind the coffee to a fine consistency.

Step 2: Tamp the coffee grounds evenly in the portafilter.

Step 3: Attach the portafilter to the espresso machine.

Step 4: Start the extraction process, aiming for a 1:2 ratio of coffee to water.

Step 5: Monitor the extraction time, which should be around 25-30 seconds.

Cold brew

This method is particularly suitable for the light roast of Brazil Santos, highlighting its bright and fruity flavours. For the perfect brew, do the following: 

Step 1: Grind the coffee to a coarse consistency.

Step 2: Add the coffee to a large container or jar.

Step 3: Pour cold water over the coffee, ensuring all grounds are submerged.

Step 4: Cover the container and let it steep for 12-24 hours in the refrigerator.

Step 5: Filter the coffee using a fine-mesh sieve or a coffee filter.

The coffee connoisseur touch!

  • For a unique brewing experience, consider using the cold brew method, which brings out the bright and fruity flavours of the coffee. This method is particularly suitable for the light roast of Brazil Santos, which has a gently acidic profile that complements the cold brew process.
  • Adjust the grind size and coffee-to-water ratio to achieve your desired taste and strength.
  • Brazil Santos coffee benefits from longer brewing times in cafetieres, allowing 5 minutes or more for the coffee to extract its full flavour.
  • The medium roast of Brazil Santos coffee is best enjoyed at any time of day, producing a smooth, mild flavour.
  • For the best results, use a miller who sources coffee from small-holders in the best geological and geographical areas, ensuring a higher quality coffee, or for easier results, turn to yours truly, Coffee Collective!

Find the ultimate Brazil Santos at Coffee Collective 

In conclusion, Brazil Santos coffee offers a rich and diverse flavour profile, making it a versatile choice for coffee lovers. With its mild acidity, medium and smooth body, and a nutty, chocolatey, or caramel aroma, it's perfect for various brewing methods.

Indulge in the rich flavours of Brazil Santos coffee today and experience a taste of tradition and excellence! Elevate your coffee experience with Coffee Collective's premium selection. Order now and savour the essence of Brazil in every sip!