The best Brazilian coffee beans to buy

Brazil produces more coffee than anywhere elsewhere in the world, but in this case quantity doesn't mean you have to compromise on quality. In fact, Brazilian coffee beans are some of the finest available, loved by everyone from connoisseurs to casual coffee drinkers.In this blog we look at what makes Brazil so successful at growing coffee, and delve into the type of coffee you can expect to enjoy from this area.

Brazil as a coffee-growing region

A third of the world's coffee comes from Brazil, and much of it is used as a base to make high-quality espresso blends. If you've enjoyed an espresso in a coffee shop, then the chances are you've already had a Brazilian coffee.

As the largest coffee-producing region in the world, Brazil exports millions of tonnes of coffee every year. In fact, its coffee production is unrivalled, and it's because of this that Brazilian beans are so affordable.

The three main coffee growing areas in Brazil are:

• Minas Gerais – the largest coffee growing state, full of hundreds of small farms
• Espírito Santo – an area mostly known for growing Robusta coffee beans
• São Paulo – home of the port, Santos, which often lends its name to the coffee

Plantations in the Cerrado region – a vast and diverse savannah – benefit from stable temperatures all year-round. The coffee is grown here at a higher altitude, which is perfect for Arabica beans.

Despite its ideal coffee-growing conditions, the plant isn't native to Brazil. Legend has it that the first seedlings were planted in Pará in the mid-1700s by a diplomat who smuggled them over the border from French Guiana.

Spotlight on: Brazilian Santos coffee

Brazilian Santos takes its name from the port of Santos, but it's actually grown in the Minas Gerais area (which encompasses part of the Cerrado region). It's a mild coffee that benefits from stronger brewing methods to bring out its nutty flavours.

If you like low acidity coffee, then Brazilian Santos green coffee beans tick every box. 

Santos coffee is mild and full-bodied, with a soft creaminess and smooth mouthfeel.
You can expect sweet-tasting notes of caramel and nuts, alongside a chocolatey aroma.

For something with more punch, we recommend trying our dark-roast Santos, which is roasted for longer to bring out the coffee's complexities. It has a deep, nutty flavour, and it makes a great espresso with a long-lasting crema. 

If you're using double-roasted Santos to make a long coffee drink, consider adding milk to bring out its caramel undertones and take the edge off the bitterness.

How to make the perfect Brazilian coffee

This mild coffee benefits from stronger brewing methods, and it lends itself well for use with an espresso machine or a Moka pot. We love making Brazil Santos through an Aeropress, so we've put together a step-by-step guide for you to use at home.

What is an Aeropress?

The Aeropress is a relatively new and easy-to-use device that was launched in 2005 by a man named Alan Adler. He wanted to make a single-cup of perfectly brewed coffee, and so he came up with the Aeropress to do just that.

Ingredients you'll need 

250g of water
17g of fine ground, high-quality coffee

The Aeropress method

1. Take the plunger out, put in a fresh filter, then twist the cap back on.
2. Place it on top of a study cup or jug on a level surface where it's unlikely to spill.
3. Add 17g of high-quality Brazilian ground coffee then shake it to level it off.
4. Start your timer, then add 35g of hot water, and stir to make sure the coffee is wetted.
5. Wait 30 seconds for the bloom to subside and then add the rest of the water.
6. Add your plunger, wait for the timer to reach 1:30, then plunge slowly and gently.
7. Remove the filter cap, and push out the plunger to eject the used coffee.
8. Rinse your Aeropress and enjoy your cup of smooth, Brazilian roast coffee.

This recipe makes a strong coffee so we recommend adding milk or cream.

Other Brazilian coffee brands available

There are a lot more Brazilian coffees out there for you to try, including our favourite Daterra Sunrise. This coffee is versatile and well-loved, which is why we use it as our house coffee at our showroom and our brewing emporium in Newcastle.

Daterra is the name of a sustainable coffee-grower, that was established in 1976 with the aim of supporting local people and protecting Brazil's diverse eco-system

You can expect a deep, nutty flavour and a clean, crisp mouth-feel with Detarra Sunrise. 

It's a great example of a Cerrado coffee – sweet, round, with an exciting aftertaste. It has citrus-like aromatics with notes of yellow fruits, chocolate, and pecan nuts. What really makes this coffee stand out though is its luxuriously light and syrupy body.

Brazilian coffee - the key takeaway

Brazil produces more coffee than anywhere in the world, but it does this without comprimising on quality. Coffee from Brazil is versatile and packed with flavour, which makes it widly popular.

Wherever you are in the world, one thing you can be sure of is that when you walk into a coffee shop and order an espresso, it's probably been made using Brazilian coffee.