Brazil — Paulo Afonso de Resende, Fazenda Santa Clara, Yellow Catucaí (Natural)

Tastes Like — 🥜 Almond • 🍑 Apricot • 🍦 Vanilla

DETAILS

• Producer: Paulo Afonso de Resende
• Farm: Fazenda Santa Clara
• Region: Oliveira, Campo das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil
• Varietal: Yellow Catucaí
• Process: Natural
• Altitude: 1100 MASL
• Harvest: December 2024 – January 2025
• Size: 250g

INTRO

Paulo Afonso de Resende grew up in the Minas Gerais countryside, watching his father work the land with tireless dedication. After qualifying as an engineer, he returned to his agricultural roots — purchasing Fazenda Santa Clara in 1993 and beginning a new chapter as a coffee producer. His engineering background has proven a distinct advantage: Paulo applies systematic planning and operational precision to every aspect of the farm, from agronomic decisions to processing infrastructure.

With expert collaborators and a long-term improvement plan, Fazenda Santa Clara has become a recognised name in the Campo das Vertentes region for producing quality specialty coffee.

THE PRODUCER

Paulo Afonso's story is one of professional reinvention in pursuit of a passion for the land. His investment in infrastructure and ongoing improvement of working conditions for farm employees reflects a management philosophy shaped by both engineering rigour and a deep respect for the people and environment that make Fazenda Santa Clara possible. The farm's Yellow Catucaí variety — a hybrid with good disease resistance and strong cup potential — thrives in the rolling hills of Oliveira at around 1100 MASL, producing a fruit with the concentrated sweetness characteristic of naturally processed Brazilian coffees.

THE PROCESS

The Natural process at Fazenda Santa Clara involves:

• 🍒 Selective Harvesting — Cherries are picked at peak ripeness.
• ✅ Sorting — Fruit is sorted to remove defects before drying.
• ☀️ Whole-Cherry Drying — Cherries are dried intact on patios or raised beds, allowing the fruit's natural sugars to concentrate and infuse the bean with sweetness and body.

The natural process at this altitude yields a smooth, sweet cup well suited to espresso preparation.

THE CUP

A smooth, approachable natural Brazilian with classic espresso character. Roasted almond provides a nutty, satisfying base; apricot adds a gentle stone-fruit sweetness; and vanilla rounds the finish into something soft, creamy, and deeply comforting.

Flavour Notes

• 🥜 Almond
• 🍑 Apricot
• 🍦 Vanilla