Known around the world for its vibrant and colorful festivals and beautiful beaches, Brazil is also famous for its coffee. The distinct taste of Brazilian coffee comes from how the beans are grown and processed. It also comes from a special way that the Brazilians like to prepare their coffee. I am going explain a bit about the history of coffee in Brazil and how you can make the best Brazilian coffee at home.
Where did it all begin?
Interestingly, I discovered that coffee beans are not native to Brazil. They were first imported by French settlers in the 18th Century. Francisco de Melo Palheta planted the first coffee bush in the state of Para.
Legend has it that he smuggled the coffee seeds from French Guiana by seducing the governor’s wife. To express her affection she secretly gave him a bouquet of flowers spiked with the coffee seeds. He then took this to Brazil.
Coffee spread to Rio de Janeiro in the 1770’s but at this time was still just being used for domestic consumption. Only when demand for coffee in America and Europe began increasing did Brazil begin exporting its coffee. The number of coffee farms across the country increased and grew in size to keep up with global demand.
The early coffee industry initially depended on slaves but when slavery was abolished in 1888, the farms relied on immigrants. The growing industry attracted immigrants mainly from Italy, Spain, and Japan.
The expanded labor force, along with a railway system built for the coffee industry allowed the coffee market to boom. In 1920 Brazil was supplying 100% of the world’s coffee! Not bad considering that coffee isn’t even native to the country!
As the global production of coffee around the world grew, Brazil's share in exports dropped. They are still doing pretty well though. Brazil tops the world as its largest coffee producer, exporting roughly 16% of total coffee exports in the world. That’s a hell of a lot of coffee beans!
Year 1727 - Coffee crops first arrived in Brazil by French settlers
Year 1770 - Coffee plantations were set up in Rio de Janeiro
Year 1800’s - Immigrants began working in coffee plantations and Brazilian coffee industry boomed
Year 1920’s - Brazilian coffee production peaked, supplying 100% of the world’s coffee
Growing the Coffee Beans
Most coffee farms in Brazil are less than 10,000 square meters and the average altitude of the farms is 1,100 meters. This means that most Brazilian coffee beans qualify as high grown coffee. High grown coffee is considered to be better quality because the beans produced are harder.
Did you know that the altitude the beans are grown at affects the taste of the beans? This means that for Brazil you can expect vanilla, chocolate or nutty flavors from its coffee beans. No wonder it’s so popular!
Best Brazilian Coffee Growing Facts
- Altitude Range: 1100 meters above sea level (average)
- Harvest: May – September
- Annual coffee production: 40 – 60 million bags
- Common varieties: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Cataui, Acaia, Mundo Nova, Itacu.
Drying and Roasting the Beans
Because Brazil has favorable climate of a long dry season, most beans are processed using the natural drying method. The coffee cherries are picked either manually or mechanically and left in the sun to dry. Leaving them out for a long time in the sun will harden the coffee cherries and turn them dark brown.
Once hardened and dark brown the green bean can be removed. This is considered a delicate process, but Brazil has clearly perfected it! The dry-processing of the beans plays a big role in the flavor. The rich flavors with a hint of spice that you get from Brazilian coffee come from this process.
The best Brazilian coffees have a sweet nutty flavor and have low levels of acidity. It's gentle taste is one of the reasons it’s used in coffee blends to balance out the more intense flavored beans.
Once the coffee beans are dried they need roasting. When you roast coffee beans the fats, sugars, and starches in the bean emulsify and caramelize. This process releases an oil from the bean and this oil is what gives coffee its distinct taste and aroma.
The roasting process is what transforms the soft green flavorless beans into coffee as we know it. Coffee roasting levels vary from light roasts to very dark roasts. You can judge the roast level by how dark the coffee bean is.
In Brazil, you get medium and dark roast coffee. Brazilian dark roast coffee is most popular and has a fuller and smokier taste compared to the sweetness of a medium roast. To get a dark roast, the beans should be roasted in the middle of the second rack at about 446° Fahrenheit.
Once roasted, the only thing left to do before you can use the beans is ground them. This can be done using a coffee grinder and is best done just before you want to use the coffee. Like many other countries, Brazil has its own special way of making coffee.
I will explain to you next how to make Brazilian coffee, just like the locals do!
Cafezinho (Brazilizn Coffee Style)
Coffee plays a big part in Brazilian culture and it wouldn’t be long before you get asked ‘would you like a cafezinho?’. Cafezinho simply means coffee made the Brazilian way.
Those of you who are used to drinking American style coffee may find this style of coffee too strong. This is because the concentration of the coffee is even higher than your traditional espresso! How’s that for a caffeine hit?!
Traditionally served black, many Brazilians like to add sugar and a bit of milk or cream. This will give you a thick sweet coffee to enjoy. Making Brazilian coffee is considered by many as a relaxing ritual and one that they take very seriously.
Learn how to make Brazilian coffee at home and impress all your friends with your new coffee making skills! Here is a traditional Brazilian coffee recipe that has been used over the centuries.
You will need:
- Small saucepan and stovetop
- Spoon
- Water
- Sugar
- Ground dark roast Brazilian coffee beans
- Coffee grinder
- Small cup and spoon
The Method | |
|---|---|
1. | Add cold water to a small or medium sized pan |
2. | Add sugar (to taste) and dissolve well |
3. | Over medium heat, bring the water and sugar mixture to boil |
4. | Once boiling, add the coffee powder (for each cup of coffee powder use a heaped tablespoon of ground Brazilian coffee) |
5. | Stir the ground coffee in and turn off the stove |
6. | Pour the mixture through a traditional cloth coffee strainer (you can find these in Latino stores in the U.S. or you can use filter paper found in your local supermarket) |
7. | Immediately pour the coffee into a small cup (traditional espresso cups will do) |
8. | Add a small amount of milk or cream if you don’t like your coffee black |
To enjoy at its best, drink your coffee whilst hot. If you are entertaining guests, why not serve the coffee in traditional Brazilian coffee cups with a small decorative spoon? This will impress your guests and if they have a sweet tooth allows them to add more sugar.
If you use a traditional cloth coffee strainer, make sure that you rinse it thoroughly under cold water and hang it to dry. This is so it doesn’t get mildew. Never use any soap when cleaning the cloth and make sure you replace it every couple of months.
The Bottom Line
Arguably the best coffee in the world, Brazilian coffee has a rich history and remains a key player in the global export of coffee. The distinct rich taste with chocolate and spiced undertones are typical of their dark roasted beans. The taste has made it so popular. Demand across America and Europe remains high, maybe it’s time to try making coffee the traditional Brazilian way?
Now you know how to make the best Brazilian coffee, why not give it a go let us know how you get on!
