Brazil is the world’s largest producer of coffee. It accounts for over 50% of global production. Brazilian coffee is known for its smooth, full-bodied flavour and low acidity.
Here, you’ll learn about Brazil from its coffee characteristics to the future of its rainforest, and what we’re doing at origin to help farmers flourish. Jump in and discover the country that produces the most coffee in the world.
Roasting
Brazilian coffee can be roasted to a variety of levels, but it is most commonly roasted to a medium or medium-dark roast. This roasting level produces a rich coffee with an intense flavour and character.
It’s best known for its chocolatey profile, but there are also other great character elements, such as nuts and caramel. Unfortunately, a lot of big name coffee companies roast all of this character out of the bean.
That’s not our thing. We roast our Brazilian green coffee just dark enough to give you a nice rich cup of coffee without compromising on its uniqueness.
Brewing
Brazilian coffee can be brewed using a variety of methods, including cafetière, pour-over, and espresso. It’s incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed black or white.
Tips for buying
When buying Brazilian coffee, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Look for coffee that has been roasted recently. Pact Coffee is roasted at our carbon-neutral roastery in Surrey just days before it lands on your doormat.
- Choose coffee that is from a reputable source. We work directly with talented speciality coffee farmers worldwide, paying them the premium they deserve for their hard work.
- Consider the roasting level when choosing coffee. Our darkest roast is not over-roasted - burnt beans aren’t our thing.
- Experiment with different brewing methods to find the one that you like best. We grind coffee to your specific brew method for the perfect extraction. You can also check out our handy brew guides for tricks of the trade.
Flavour profile
Brazilian coffee typically has a smooth, full-bodied flavour with low acidity. The flavour profile can vary depending on the region where the coffee is grown, but some common flavours include chocolate, nuts, and caramel.
Brazilian coffee is delicious and versatile — a real crowd pleaser with milk that’s the perfect marriage.
The country’s tropical climate is ideal for coffee trees, and the soil is rich in nutrients.
The best Brazilian coffee typically has a mild nature with indulgent chocolatey notes, which is why it often plays a part in espresso blends. But Brazil has so much to offer with single-origin coffee, too.
Environmental concerns
Unfortunately, global warming poses a significant threat to future coffee production in Brazil. Studies predict that the area suitable for Arabica production will decrease by as much as 50% by 2050, and dips in production in the world’s largest coffee producing country have a significant impact on the rest of the world.
The rainforest in Brazil
The Brazilian rainforest is facing a number of threats, including deforestation, climate change, and fires.
Deforestation is the biggest threat to the Brazilian rainforest. In 2021, an area of rainforest the size of Belgium was destroyed, according to Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE). This is the highest level of deforestation since 2004.
Because the commodity coffee industry is not fair, the lower price paid per pound of coffee forces farmers to farm out onto new spaces of land simply to make ends meet.
But if we pay them a truly fair price for their hard work, they can make a living on their current space of land, rather than expanding for the sake of survival. Instead, they can upscale in a sustainable way – like increasing yield with new varieties, not deforesting. That’s why making sure your coffee is traceable from farm to cup is so important.
Climate change is also a major threat to Brazilian biodiversity. The rainforest is home to an estimated 10% of the world’s known species, many of which are adapted to the rainforest’s climate. As the climate changes, these species are at risk of extinction.
Fires are another major threat to the Brazilian rainforest. In 2019, the Amazon rainforest experienced its worst fire season on record. The fires were caused by a combination of factors, including deforestation, climate change, and human activity.
The loss of the Brazilian rainforest has a number of negative consequences, including:
- Water pollution: deforestation can lead to water pollution, as runoff from deforested areas can carry sediment and pollutants into rivers and streams.
- Soil erosion: deforestation can lead to soil erosion, as the roots of trees help to hold the soil in place.
- Flooding: deforestation can lead to flooding, as there are fewer trees to absorb rainfall.
There are a number of things that can be done to protect the Brazilian rainforest, including:
- Reducing deforestation: this can be done by supporting sustainable agriculture, investing in alternative livelihoods for people who live in or near the rainforest, and cracking down on illegal logging and mining.
- Fighting climate change: this can be done by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy, and adapting to the effects of climate change.
- Raising awareness: people need to be aware of the importance of the Brazilian rainforest and the threats it faces. This can be done through education, outreach, and advocacy.
The Brazilian rainforest is an important part of Earth’s ecosystem. It is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species, and it plays an important role in regulating the planet’s climate. We must take action to protect the Brazilian rainforest before it is too late.
One way you can contribute is with the coffee you buy. Sustainable coffee production can provide economic incentives for farmers to conserve forests by increasing the price of coffee that is grown more sustainably. This can help to offset the costs of sustainable practices and make them more economically viable for farmers.
Another thing to look out for is Rainforest Alliance certification. The Rainforest Alliance is a non-profit organisation that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure fair labour practices in the agricultural sector.
Pact in Brazil
Cocatrel
Cocatrel’s speciality arm is a key cooperative we work with in Brazil. It has over 8000 members and is committed to sustainable practices and improving the lives of farmers in the region.
In particular, their values around empowering women align beautifully with our own values of gender equity. We’re proud to work closely with them to source several of our Brazilian coffees.
Cafeína
Cafeína is a collective of 1868 women farmers in Brazil. Coffee is a male-dominated industry in Brazil, and women farmers often face discrimination and unequal pay. Cafeína was founded in 2019 to give women farmers a voice and to help them improve their livelihoods.
Each member of Cafeína owns a small coffee farm. The collective provides them with access to training, resources, and markets. Cafeína also helps members to raise awareness of the challenges that women farmers face.
The coffee produced by Cafeína is of the highest quality. Every bean of coffee sold helps Cafeína to grow and to support more women farmers.
Cafeína is a shining example of how women can come together to overcome challenges and to build a better future. If you are looking for delicious, ethically sourced coffee, then look for Cafeína. Your purchase will help to empower women farmers and to make a difference in the world.
Cafeína Blend is a deliciously chocolatey Brazilian dark roast with apricot hints.
Zaroca
We’ve been working with Gilberto Basilio on his family-run farm, Zaroca, since 2017. And last year, he did something really special.
Gilberto used a large amount of the premium we’ve been paying him over the five years to purchase land that was formerly deforested for sugar production and plant trees again.
This reforestation project isn’t done for any monetary gain – he’s doing it just because he thinks it’s the right thing to do. We’re with him all the way!
By planting trees, Gilberto is helping to mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more sustainable future for coffee production.
You can help support Gilberto and other farmers like him by buying coffee from sustainable sources. When you choose to buy sustainable coffee, you’re helping to protect the environment, support farmers, and ensure that future generations can enjoy the delicious, chocolatey taste of Brazilian coffee.
