Alto Alegre Community
Wow! This natural processed coffee from Brazil is incredible with sweet and seemingly innocent flavours of milk chocolate, combined with complex undertones of blackberry and cherry.
The coffee is produced by a small association of coffee producers in Alto Alegre in the Mogiana region, São Paulo. This place is like the heart of Brazil for us. It was one of the first areas that the Croce family started working with in their Bob-O-Link project. The area is a valley situated at a high altitude with natural water sources, and it truly is an amazing place for growing coffee, which we have seen proof of for more than 10 years now.
When we cupped all the samples, this lot stood out as something extra; the berry and fruity flavour is very prominent and intense, and to achieve that, you needs to hit exactly right in both the picking of the cherries and the processing thereafter. That means harvesting the cherries from the best spot on the farm at exactly the right moment, and ensuring that only the perfectly ripe cherries are plucked. Thereafter, all the steps in the drying of the coffee must also be performed with the utmost precision. This coffee is sun-dried, which means that the coffee beans dry in their cherries on ventilated drying tables made of net material. There they dry slowly, and then the dried fruit are removed from the beans.
In many ways, it's evident that this is an incredibly well-made coffee that has been really well cared for. It definitely tastes like classic "Brazil", but is much sweeter and fruitier than what we are usually accustomed to.
Origin: Brazil
Producer: Alto Alegre Community
Farm: Small association of coffee producers
Altitude: 1300 m.a.s.l.
Variety: Tupi Process: Natural
Flavours: Sweet and complex, milk chocolate, blackberry, cherry
ALTO ALEGRE COMMUNITY
The Alto Alegre community is located at the top of the Serra dos Ciganos mountains, bordering the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The group has taken its name from the valley they are in - a valley rich in water, springs, and beautiful surroundings. The valley is part of an important river area that contributes to the Rio Pardo, and the coffee producers in the group contribute to the river's conservation by constantly improving their agricultural methods.
The group also operates the Alto Alegre Washing Station, where they process all the coffee they grow themselves after harvest. Their meticulous work, along with the area's altitude, is the reason why their coffee consistently maintains very high quality. The producers in Alto Alegre were also some of the first to join the Bobolink project led by the Croce Family at the Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza farm.
Exceptional coffee starts at the origin. The Farmers series is a tribute to the skilled and dedicated producers which we have a close relationship with. For this series, we purchase limited quantities of specific lots that really stand out when we taste them. It could be the variety or a specific part of the farm that truly brings out the best in the coffee. The flavours of these coffees are often sweet and floral, with hints of fruit or berries, broadening the horizons on what coffee can taste like. It is with a lot of pride we highlight our producers and their incredible craftsmanship through the coffees in the Farmers series.
We have four different coffee series, from House where the flavours are more familiar, to Prime which offers the absolute top tier of specialty coffee quality.
The House series is the foundation we stand upon, featuring specialty coffees from some of the 15 producers we work with closely, all among the best in the world. Each coffee offers a unique blend and flavour profile, and with such variety in the series, we dare say there’s a taste for (almost) everyone. To follow the harvest seasons, we rotate the origin and recipe throughout the year. This ensures the coffee is always fresh, the flavours consistent, and the cup truly delightful! In this series, you’ll find various espresso and filter coffees, both as whole beans and ground.
The Flavours series is where we truly elevate the natural flavours of each coffee. Most of the coffees are single origin, but as the contents of the product change with harvest seasons, occasionally a blend might better suit the flavour profile. Flavours is perfect for those seeking an exceptional cup where the coffee’s unique taste and character truly gets to shine!
The Farmers series is a tribute to the skilled and dedicated producers which we have a close relationship with. For this series, we purchase limited quantities of specific lots that really stand out when we taste them. It could be the variety or a specific part of the farm that truly brings out the best in the coffee. The flavours of these coffees are often sweet and floral, with hints of fruit or berries, broadening the horizons on what coffee can taste like. It is with a lot of pride we highlight our producers and their incredible craftsmanship.
The Prime series is the top tier of specialty coffee. These coffees are of unmatched quality and flavour and drinking them is an experience itself. Sourced only 3-4 times a year, our Prime coffees are extremely limited and highly coveted, with only around 200 bags available of each. These coffees are often of exclusive and rare varieties and produced using modern and innovative methods. For those seeking the ultimate coffee experience, our Prime series is sure to satisfy even the most refined palates.
We specialize in specialty coffee, which means that all the coffee we purchase scores at least 80 points on a 100-point scale – a grading system established by the international coffee organization SCA.
We hold high standards for the producers we work with, both in terms of sustainability and quality. Both aspects demand more and come at a cost, which we gladly pay. The right price is worth every cent!
10 years or more – that's how long we have been working with several of our producers. Simply because they are the best, and we know and trust each other. When we begin new collaborations, which also happens from time to time, we do so with the intention of celebrating 10 years and beyond with them as well. Our close and longstanding relationships are built on a shared philosophy and a desire to improve the conditions for coffee farmers worldwide. Through sustainability and quality!
