We hope you all had a great time at the SCAA conference and trade show in LA.

We definitely did!

It was really nice meeting some of you there: the ones who have already purchased great coffee from us but had never seen our faces and those who got the samples and are still waiting for an opportunity to get some great Brazils.

We know that travelling to events like that are not only tiring but requests huge logistics which means we are all serious about doing business!

The week was great and we want to share some of our experiences with you.

Fernanda Mazzuco & Eliane Sobral

Liana Baggio Ometto from Baggio Coffees came from Brazil to be with us in the show

Eliane Sobral and myself, Fernanda Mazzuco had a great time with Liana from Baggio Coffees. She is the 4th generation of the family dealing with coffee and we must say that the plantations are absolutely amazing as well as the quality of the Baggio specialty beans. Before heading to Anaheim, the 3 of us had the chance to be in New York for a few days and tour some coffee shops in the city. Slowly but surely New York if finely getting a taste for a good espresso. Thank God!

IWCA – International Women’s Coffee Alliance JOY BRAZIL SET THE MILESTONE FOR THE BRAZILIAN CHAPTER

For the second consecutive year, JOY BRAZIL COFFEE was proud to sponsor the breakfast for the IWCA. These women are doing a fabulous job and we felt, as women in coffee ourselves, we had the obligation to support them. But the great news this year is that JOY BRAZIL COFFEE together with NU Coffee has set the milestone for the foundation of the Brazilian Chapter of such amazing organization.

New Coffees to our portfolio

We are proud to announce that we are the exclusive reps for the JACU BIRD COFFEE by Camocin Estates. This fantastic coffee is harvested in micro lots and is aimed for those looking for something exotic and unusual.

We have also added Capim Branco Secialty Coffee to our portfolio. This fabulous estate in the Cerrado region of Brazil has been producing coffees high in quality and has received a ton of awards lately. Check our website for more information on the coffees.

Cafes do Brasil and Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association – Brazil will be the host country in Houston 2011

Our Santa Terezinha Estate natural coffee was showcased at the Cafes do Brasil booth and we hope some of you had the chance to taste great cappuccinos there. The bariste were really nice!

But the great news is that Brazil will be the host country in Houston next year for the SCAA convention. Wait for more news on that.

Coffee tour is being planned. Join us around Brazil in August

If you have never been to the largest producing country in the world, join us in this trip.

We will be visiting the regions of Rio Highlands, Mogiana, Cerrado and Sul de Minas and we are absolutely sure this will be the trip of a lifetime.
If you feel interested in joining us, book your spot. Only 10 are available.

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With world consumption in highs and stable production, the world market needs increasingly more quality Arabicas produced in Brazil. As the harvesting period of the Brazilian 2010/2011 crop gets closer, the war of numbers concerning the volumes to be harvested has begun.

With a domestic consumption of 18 million bags and exports above 30 million, Brazil must already think about average crops of 50 million bags, which does not seem possible to obtain at current price conditions paid by the market worldwide.

Brazilian government is making available R$1.3 billion in funds from the Fund to Protect the Coffee Economy (FUNCAFÉ) to finance harvesting and pre-commercialization of the 2010 crop. Funds will be sufficient to stock up to 6 million coffee bags.

In February, Brazilian coffee shipments reached 2,228,371 60-kg bags of coffee, 15% less than during the same month in 2009, and 10% less than in January, and included 1,981,796 bags of Arabica coffee and 21,996 bags of Robusta, totaling 2,003,792 green coffee bags. By March 11, March shipments were at 513,851 bags of Arabica coffee, 1,285 bags of Robusta coffee, totaling 515,136 bags of green coffee, Furthermore, until March 11, requests to issue certificates of origin for March shipments totaled 977,745 bags, against 1,102,285 bags on that same day in February.

During one week – from closing on Friday, March 5, to closing today, March 12 – the New York exchange – ICE, rose 210 points or US$2.78 (R$4.90) per bag for contracts to be delivered in May.

Font of Information: Escritório Carvalhaeshttp://www.carvalhaes.com.br/boletins/boletins.asp

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For more information go to:
http://www.internationalrestaurantny.com/en/Special-Events/Ultimate-Barista-Challenge-/

Fernanda Mazzuco from Joy Brazil Coffee judging a UBC contest

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As members of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, we affirm, embrace and hold ourselves accountable to the following core values. These guiding principles are the foundation of the organization.

Respect:
We believe every woman has a unique and valid voice; therefore, we respect every woman and her ideas equally.

Sustainability:
We support programs that foster harmony of environmental, social & economic impact.

Abundance:
We demonstrate and model generosity, supporting programs that encourage the equitable allocation of resources in the world.

Integrity:
We understand that our ultimate reason for being is to serve women in our industry, and make decisions with honesty, integrity and in accordance with this goal.

Collaboration:
Because communities hold the solutions to their own problems, we believe the best way to impact the communities we serve is through collaboration and partnership.

Making a Difference:
We believe that all women can make a difference while earning a living.

The World Bank estimates that more than 500 million people throughout the world are dependent on coffee, and of that number, 25 million are coffee farmers.

Unfortunately, coffee farmers typically live and work in substandard conditions, which are compounded by the fact that they receive only a small percentage of the final price that the coffee is sold for to the consumer.

Women, who represent a good majority of coffee farmers, face additional challenges. Aside from the day-to-day struggles women coffee farmers face in order to maintain a respectable standard of living, they must also struggle with the long-established machismo attitude that is prevalent throughout the world’s coffee growing regions. Frequently suffering from abuse, neglect and poverty, women are unable to gain economic, social or political power in their family’s coffee business, or in their communities.

Recognizing that women in consuming countries also hold an integral part in ensuring the success of coffee in the marketplace, six women had a vision that would bring together women in coffee from seed to cup in an effort to reduce these barriers and build a more sustainable future for women in coffee and their communities.

Founded in 2003 by Karen Cebreros, Melissa Pugash, Colleen Crosby, Karen Gordon, Margaret Swallow and Kimberly Easson, the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) strives to create a difference in the world of coffee. With a mission to “empower women in the international coffee community to achieve meaningful and sustainable lives; and to encourage and recognize the participation of women in all aspects of the coffee industry,” the IWCA, from its inception, has remained focused on promoting possibilities for women in coffee communities throughout the world.

The IWCA is a global network of women in coffee that advocates for the reduction of barriers for these women in coffee producing countries, by providing access to resources while creating a forum in which to connect with other women throughout the coffee chain from seed to cup.

Our goal is to give women the independence by empowering them with the knowledge and monetary support that will help shift the role of women in coffee growing communities

Through International Chapter Development and funding, mentorship and training programs, and networking, the IWCA strives to acknowledge, elevate and connect women in coffee around the world.

Help make a change in the lives of these women by joining together with countless women and men in the coffee industry. Join, donate or volunteer your time and expertise to the IWCA and help us in our plight to promote possibilities for women in coffee around the world.

For more information about IWCA projects or to join, volunteer or donate, please email mail@womenincoffee.org.

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São João Estate has been producing coffee since 1853 on the highlands of the State of Rio de Janeiro.  Of course, the coffees are exceptionally fine to drink, but if you want to learn more, juicy details about this estate and its practices, read on!

The original farmlands were established over a century and a half ago by Tristao da Cunha Camara, following the expansion of coffee cultivation into the state of Rio de Janeiro.  Since then, the farm has been restored, and is truly preserving the history of coffee culture as it was during Imperial Brasil. (This period lasted from 1808, when the seat of the Portuguese crown moved to Rio de Janeiro because of the Napoleonic Wars, until the beginning of the republican period in 1889). Today, the farm produces only premium Arabica.  In 2002, it received the “Cup Of Excellence” award from BSCA – Brazil Specialty Coffee Association and ACE.

Sao Joao Estate is located in the Serra do Monte das Flores highlands, approximately 90 miles from the city of Rio de janeiro.  The property is  1,111 acres, 172 of which are dedicated to the coffee plantation. Over 600 more acres are preserved as virgin forest, actively managed and replenished with new stocks of exotic and native plants. The rest of the property is dedicated to raising Simental Livestock.

Currently the estate has  245,000 coffee trees growing at an altitude of 2,624 feet above sea level, primarily facing north. The cultivars are Red Catuai,Yellow Catui, Yellow Bourbon, Precocious Icatu, and Mundo Novo.  They even maintain some other vintage coffee plants surviving from the 19th century!  The plantation is situated at the highest elevation of the region, and forms a convex semicircle framed by forestland. From above, one sees the Paraiba do Sul River and the Minas Gerais Highlands. To the south, the Orgaos Highlands and the Serra do Monte da Flores. The plantation is irrigated by the sweet, pure waters of the São João river.

The average annual high temperature is 82F and the low is 59F.  The predominantly Latosoil red-yellow, with spots of Bruno Latoso “Bruno”, is non-magnetic, and modern agricultural techniques help assure high yields.  In subtropical climates, there is typically drought in the months of June, July, and August. However, because of its proximity to the coast, this estate gets rain even during dry months, over 55 inches annually.  The ample moisture makes for rich, flavorful beans and earlier harvesting.

During harvest time, coffee cherries are picked by hand and deposited into baskets three times a day. There’s a last burst of heavy rain just before the drier season begins, so constant harvesting is needed  to assure that the mature cherries are picked at perfect ripeness.  The estate  follows  the lunar calendar, a traditional practice conforming with Le Calendrier Jardines avec La Lune.

The storage greenhouses are temperature and humidity-controlled.  With the exception of the boils, the cherries are dried in the greenhouses at a constantly controlled temperature, never higher than 107F. The beans are collected from the greenhouses after 7 to 10 days. The harvest is then evaluated by professional cuppers.

24 full-time employees reside at the estate. Though it’s rare, if temporary workers are needed, they’re hired from the nearby community. Not only are salaries here substantially higher than elsewhere in the region, but also, the estate provides its employees with comprehensive, ongoing training.  On-site housing with electricity, water, and other amenities is supplied, as well as a work wardrobe.  Further, the workers and their families share the eggs and milk produced on the farm, and their children are able to attend school.  Illiterate adults are additionally offered tutoring and school supplies. The well-being of the plantation’s workers contributes not only to the quality of the coffee beans, but also to the well-being of the region.

This estate exemplifies Joy Brazil’s ideal of using the best of modern, responsible cultivation to preserve the deliciously unique history of a region and guarantee its future.

The following varieties will be available before you know it!  Sao Joao Platinum, Sao Joao Premium, Sao Joao Raisin and Sao Joao Ulta Doux.  For further information on this upcoming harvest, contact us.

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Lighthearted and short, the piece remains a popular performance choice because for being extremely funny, and most of all about coffee! Bach wrote the Coffee Cantata at Zimmerman’s Coffee House in Leipzig, a fashionable social establishment back then.

It is known that Bach, the pre-eminent Lutheran composer loved food and coffee.

In Germany, coffee was not accepted in the home until the second half of the 18th century. This was due to a mixture of factors: a long standing fondness for local beer, a general distrust of things considered “un-German”, as well as ongoing prohibition and taxes, specifically directed against coffee. So to understand the cantata, one must understand the times in which Johann lived and what he must have felt in a coffee-hating society as a lover of the aromatic bean juice.

 Bach wrote about twenty such “secular” cantatas, mostly to be performed as comic pieces or masques. It’s the closest he came to writing comic operettas. The libretto he chose was a satirical poem by Christian Friedrich Henrici, who went by the name “Picander” when writing social satire. The cantata as written is scored for soprano, tenor and bass, accompanied by transverse flute, 2 violins, 1 viola, and continuo, but it has also been transcribed into a standard 4-part choral format .

 The story concerns a willful daughter named Lieschen who is addicted to coffee. Her father, Schlendrian, a good German, is perplexed that his dear daughter drinks the hated coffee! He insists she stops; she insists she needs the coffee buzz.

What’s a father to do? Well, in the cantata he makes a threat: no husband until she gives up the java bean! In Bach’s Germany, the father found the husband and arranged a marriage. And no maiden wanted to become an old maid! Thus Lieschen agrees to forego coffee for a husband. But while daddy goes searching, Lieschen makes it clear she will not marry any man that would refuse her coffee.

“Ah, how sweet coffee tastes – lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel” says Liseschen!

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The total cultivated area amounts to 2.102.106 hectares, and the main areas of production are the states of: Minas Gerais (47.62%), Espirito Santo (23.61%), Sao Paulo (8.66%), Rondonia (7.42%), Bahia (6.0%), Parana (4.07%), Mato Grosso (0.72%), Rio de Janeiro (0.66%) and Para (0.59%).  The number of bags is down 15% from last year, the main reasons being elevated temperatures and rains, as well as the “biannual” nature of coffee tree harvesting.  The decrease was most evident in the regions of Arabica cultivation, primarily Mina Gerais.

 Even with a reduction from last year’s record harvest, 39 million gives us at Joy Brazil Coffee plenty of beautiful beans to choose from, and we look forward to sampling the new vintage!

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When Fernanda judged recent UBC events in New York City, she was thrilled and impressed with the skills and imagination of all the competitors, but also their good taste, since several chose to use beautiful coffee from Brazil in their creations!

Sherri Johns, a former barista champion herself in 1980’s San Francisco, is the founder of this event in the United States.  She explains the appeal for competitors and audiences this way, “Food, Pastry and Bartending competitions are very popular events. It is time coffee service and espresso take the stage and become part of the dining culture, not just a segment for specialty cafes…Our goal is to introduce professional barista and coffee brewing skills to restaurants and chefs in a fun, fast paced environment.” Co-creator and Master of Ceremonies, Danny Johns, asks, “How many times have you enjoyed a wonderful meal, only to be served a bad cup of coffee afterward ? Good coffee and espresso must be included as part of the overall dining experience. We are here to share, inspire and help educate.”

This season’s competitions are happening right now, so if you find yourself nearby, check them out.  They’re wonderful events full of talented, passionate coffee lovers.  Like you!

August 30 – September 1, 2009

The Ultimate Barista Challenge® USA

Western Food Service & Hospitality Expo

San Diego Convention Center, San Diego

California

September 11 – 13, 2009

The Ultimate Barista Challenge® USA

Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show

Orange Country Convention Center, Orlando

Florida

November 18 – 20, 2009

The Ultimate Barista Challenge® CHINA

Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC)

Shanghai, (Pudong), China

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The Javaheads gathered at the Intercontinental Exchange, also called ICE, to see behind the scenes where the world’s coffee contracts are traded.  We discussed the history of coffee growing in Brazil (see our own overview of the subject here), as well as the varied growing regions and characteristics, current harvesting methods, and the lively growth in specialty coffee drinking both here and in Brazil.  The event was a great opportunity to understand the whole scope of the industry better, and a perfect example of the way we love reaching out to share the romance and great quality of Brazils.  Cool and refreshing!

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Camocim Estate is certified organic and biodynamic, commited to producing superior quality estate coffees while using biodynamic farming practices. One of the features of biodynamic is maintaining and enhancing biodivertity. The estate is located in the costal state of Espirito Santo in the area of the state park of Pedra Azul do Acare. The 300 hectares are populated with 270.000 active producing arabica coffee trees that are hand picked at harvesting periods.Coffees are dried and de-pulped naturally in suspended terraces. Camocim organics are offered in 30 kilo bags.

1.) Icatu Precoce
Yellow variety, low acidity, medium to full body, sweet taste with a hint of citric aroma

2.)Iapar 59
Yellow variety, low acidity, medium body, delicate sweet floral aroma and taste with a note of fresh soil.

3.) Yellow Bourbon
Low acidity, medium body, delicate sweet floral aroma and aste, with a note of fresh soil

4.) 3C’s Blend
This is a blend of e red varieties: Catucai, Catucaiacu and Caturra. Low acidity, full body, delicate sweetness and floral note on the aroma.

Our current offerings from Baggio family estate coffees

1) Santa Terezinha Estate (natural)
2) Mogiana Premium Bourbon (semi-washed)

1) Sta Terezinha is grown in the Mogiana area of the state of Sao Paulo at an altitude of 1000 meters.  This naturally processed coffee is dried without pulping, and the outer “pill” is only removed after the fruit is completely dry.  The extended contact between bean and pulp provides sweeter flavor which, as well as the rich aroma and low acidity, is a hallmark of this region. Screen 16+/Score 87.25 Cupping notes: super mellow, balanced, light acidity, gentle sweetness, walnut and chocolate presence, good body, deep spices, long finish. Very nice!

2) Our Mogiana Bourbon is grown at high altitudes on a family estate in the Mogiana region in Sao Paulo. The hand-selected, semi-washed and sun-dried beans produce a softly fragrant brew with a creamy body and unique complexity.  This coffee is ideal as a straight specialty origin, and also makes an exceptional espresso roast. Screen 17-18/Score 88 Cupping notes: Fruity and sweet, super ripe apricot, very smooth, slight nuttiness, creamy on the tongue, slight caramel hints, nice long finish, citrus acidity.

Joy Brazil welcomes orders from single bags to shipping containers. We arrange custom shipments from a variety of quality growers to meet your needs, your budget, and your heart’s desire. For information about samples, shipping, or upcoming harvests, contact us

Four generations ago,in 1886,  the Baggio family emigrated to Brazil from Italy, where they’ve been growing fine coffee ever since. They began in the States of São Paulo and Parana, expanding later into the fertile soil and excellent climate of the Minas Gerais region.

While using state-of-the-art agriculture technology and professional land management, the Baggio family believes that any success depends upon people, from their employees and suppliers to extended families and neighboring communities. Ongoing contribution to human development is a prerequisite for sustainable transformation built upon trust, results, and sharing benefits.  Baggio’s declared ethics are: commitment, transparency, foresight, universal respect, solidarity with the less fortunate, integrity in action, and justice.

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