Brazil has played an important part in the history of Algrano. This is where our journey began five years ago. And just like Algrano, the coffee scene there has evolved enormously since then. To celebrate the 5th anniversary of our love story with this country, we decided to launch a first-ever Algrano quality competition to introduce you to the new Brazil, to its outstanding quality and new talents. All of the coffees below are part of the Discovery starting on Oct 14 and will be available for order.
The Story
The title of the competition "Senta que lá vem café" (Go grab a seat because the coffee is coming) comes from “Senta que lá vem a história” (Go grab a seat because the story is coming), an expression in Portuguese used by people when someone is about to tell a long story. It was coined by a famous children’s show from Brazil’s public TV channel Cultura called Castelo Rá-Tim-Bum (The Rá-Tim-Bum Castle) in the 1990s and is still widely used today.
The competition took place in Minas Gerais, Brazil, this September to showcase the best of the season and recognize the work of the farmers who are part of the Algrano community. The competition had two stages. In the first one, growers submitted their stories through videos and enhanced profiles on the Algrano platform. 30 growers passed to the sensory phase. We received 53 samples! They were sent to a lab in Varginha, Minas Gerais, where the selection took place from the 4th to the 6th of September.
The lots were cupped by an independent heavy-weight jury headed by Jack Robson, one of Brazil’s first Q Graders and the only certified Brazilian Q Instructor! Jack was joined by Francisco Lentini Neto - Q grader, manager of Minasul’s specialty coffee department and Cup of Excellence judge since 2011 - and William Batista Mariano - Q Grader, part of Minasul’s QC team and judge in multiple national competitions.
And the winners are ….
Watch the submission videos of all the winner in the playlist below:
Download the full storybook and read more about the growers and their amazing journeys.
1. Alessandro Hervaz, Honey Coffee Farms
Winning lot: 89.50
Cup profile: Floral, Mango, Pineapple, Spice, Honey, Citric, Creamy, High Sweetness & Body
Lot name: BR-313 Project AAA - Natural Acaiá
2. Pedro & Mariana Veloso from Veloso Coffee
Winning lot: 89.33
Cup profile: Floral, Honey, Candy-like, Lemon, Citrus Peel, Creamy, High Sweetness, Lingering, Sweet Finish, Zesty
Lot name: BR-319 Lot 639/20 Red Catuaí "Passa"
3. Cleverson Daniel from Sítio Vargem Alegre
Winning lot: 89
Cup profile: Floral, Coconut, Toffee, Citric, High Sweetness, Lingering, Vibrant Acidity
Lot name: BR-320 Yellow Catuaí Sugarcane Sector
4. Augusto Borges Ferreira from Capadócia Coffee
Winning lot: 88.41
Cup profile: Floral, Honey, Red Berries, Red Apple, Almond, Citric, Juicy
Lot name: BR-329 Lot 02 Project AAA Fermented
5. Heron De Carvalho from Fazenda Canta Galo
Winning lot: 88.25
Cup profile: Floral, Chocolate, Mulling Spices, Citric, Complex, Creamy, Malic
Lot name: BR-330 5th place: Canta Galo's Bóia Anaerobic Fermentation 90h
6. Rafael Vinhal from Vinhal Cafés Artesanais
Winning lot: 88
Cup profile: Coconut, Pineapple, Honey,
Lot name: BR-328 Lot 20-0020 64h Fermented FW Topázio Fazenda Recanto
7. Ademir Francisco Pereira from Sítio Bela Vista
Winning lot: 88
Cup profile: Floral, Lemon, Brazil Nut, Honey, Bright acidity, Citric, Creamy, Full-Bodied, Toffee
Lot name: BR-325 Red Catuaí Natural Sítio Bela Vista
8. Ismael Andrade from Fazenda São Silvestre
Winning lot: 87.58
Cup profile: Lemon, Caramel, Creamy, Bright Acidity, Citric, High Sweetness
Lot name: BR-327 GR1044/9 Yellow Icatu São Silvestre Farm Anaerobic Fermentation
9. Ademir Francisco Pereira from Sítio Bela Vista
Winning lot: 87.58
Cup profile: Almond, Citric, Toffee, Caramel, Bright acidity, Creamy, High Sweetness
Lot name: BR-326 Yellow Catucaí Natural Sítio Bela Vista
10. Nivaldo & Willer Arantes from Aroma da Serra.
Winning lot: 87.5
Cup profile: Dried fruit, Citrus Fruit, Toffee, Creamy, Double Cream, High Sweetness
Lot name: BR-323 Yellow Icatu Sector 4 Natural