Brioschi Family – Brazil – Washed

The Fazenda Providência Journey: The Brioschi Family's Commitment to Specialty Coffee

Specialty coffee farm in Brazil

Located in Venda Nova do Imigrante, a small town in the Espírito Santo region of Brazil, Fazenda Providência has become a benchmark for specialty coffee production, thanks to the constant efforts of the Brioschi family. Originally from Italy, the Brioschi family arrived in Brazil in 1950 and soon focused their efforts on agriculture, eventually dedicating themselves to coffee as their primary crop. This family farm is an inspiring story of resilience, tradition, and continuous improvement, and is a true testament to the power of dedication in coffee farming.

Italian Roots and a Focus on Coffee

When the Brioschi family arrived in Brazil, they brought with them a passion for agriculture and a desire to cultivate the land. For many years, they grew various crops until 1985, when Anacleto Brioschi and his family decided to dedicate themselves exclusively to coffee farming. Anacleto, along with his sons Antonio, Reginaldo, and Gilberto, began transforming Fazenda Providência into a coffee-only farm. This decision marked an important shift, as it meant concentrating their resources, energy, and knowledge on establishing coffee as the core of their agricultural efforts. Over the years, this approach has allowed them to truly master the art of coffee farming and transform their farm into a producer recognized for its quality.

A Growing Passion for Quality

By 1999, the Brioschis took a major step forward in their journey toward quality by purchasing a thresher that allowed them to process their coffee in-house and gain greater control over every stage of production. This investment was a turning point, allowing the family to oversee every aspect of coffee preparation and, in turn, improve its quality. Today, Fazenda Providência boasts a plantation of 20,000 Arabica trees, focusing primarily on the Red and Yellow Catuai varieties, known for their balance of sweetness and acidity, as well as Catucai. These varieties thrive at 950 meters above sea level, an altitude that contributes to the rich flavor profiles that have made their coffees increasingly valued.

A Commitment to Learning and Innovation

The Brioschi family's commitment to quality doesn't stop at traditional farming practices; they've made continuous learning an integral part of their approach. The family frequently attends local training sessions, courses, and seminars, aiming to improve every aspect of their farming techniques. Recently, Fazenda Providência began collaborating with the Federal Institute of Espírito Santo as a volunteer research producer. This partnership has introduced them to advanced fertilization, pruning, and post-harvest techniques, fostering a cycle of improvement that has helped elevate the quality of their grains.

By participating in these research initiatives, the Brioschi family has been able to refine their coffee production methods year after year. These improvements have yielded significant results, allowing their coffees to regularly achieve scores between 84 and 85 on the specialty coffee scale, a remarkable achievement that underscores the high quality and consistency of their products.

The Process: From Cherry to Cup

One of the most distinctive aspects of Fazenda Providência coffee is its meticulous washing process. Once the coffee cherries are harvested, they are pulped to remove the outer layer of the fruit, leaving only the beans. These beans are then carefully washed to remove any remaining mucilage, ensuring a clean, bright flavor in the final cup. The washing process highlights the natural characteristics of the Red and Yellow Catuai varieties, resulting in a balanced cup profile that reflects the hard work and expertise behind each batch.

A Legacy of Quality and Tradition

The Brioschi family's story is one of dedication, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to excellence in coffee farming. From their Italian roots to their innovative practices at Fazenda Providência, every step has contributed to their journey as specialty coffee producers. This dedication is evident in every cup of their coffee, which reflects the perfect combination of tradition, quality, and a love of continuous learning.

In an industry as challenging as it is rewarding, the Brioschi family's journey is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved with passion, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Today, Fazenda Providência stands as a proud representative of Espírito Santo's coffee heritage, producing exceptional coffee that embodies the spirit and legacy of the Brioschi family.

Cold brew and espresso recipes:

1. Origin and Rarity: Bourbon Ají is a variety derived from Bourbon, one of the oldest and most prized Arabica coffee varieties. Its name and unique characteristics make it a rare variety and highly sought after by coffee enthusiasts.

2. Flavor Profile: Bourbon Ají is known for its complex and distinctive flavor profile. It typically has notes of tropical fruits, spices, and a bright, balanced acidity, making it exceptionally appealing to specialty coffee lovers.

3. Aroma and Fragrance: This variety usually has a very intense and fragrant aroma, with touches that may be reminiscent of chili (hence its name) or other spices, which is unusual and appreciated in the world of coffee.

4. Growing Conditions: Bourbon chili peppers are typically grown at high altitudes, which contributes to the development of greater complexity in their flavors and aromas. Specific growing conditions, such as climate and soil type, also influence their quality.

5. Special Processing: Exotic varieties like Bourbon Ají often undergo very specific and controlled fermentation and drying processes, which enhance their unique characteristics. Careful processing is crucial to maintaining and accentuating the coffee's special qualities.

6. Competitions: Due to its rarity and unique sensory profile, Bourbon Ají is frequently used in barista and coffee taster competitions, where the originality and exceptional quality of the coffees presented are highly valued.

These combined characteristics make Bourbon Ají an exotic variety and highly appreciated by both producers and consumers of specialty coffee.