As we continue exploring Espiríto Santo, we find ourselves returning to the area of Bateia and the standout coffees it produces. This single-bag auction lot is an excellent example of why. In the cup we find pomegranate, blueberry, and lemon zest.
Catuai
Bateia, Espiríto Santo
1,000 - 1,100 masl
November, 2023
Hand-picked at peak ripeness. Floated to remove defects. De-pulped. Dried on covered and enclosed raised beds for four days to encourage further fermentation. After four days, the sides of the enclosure are opened to ensure better airflow and even drying. Dried until moisture content reaches 10-11%.
MARCOS NALI & LUCIANA APARECIDA
Marcos Nali is a fourth-generation producer. His family arrived in the Bateia community of Espiríto Santo in the 1920's and settled into coffee farming. Along with his wife, Luciana Aparecida, and their two children, Breno and Beatriz, the family now cultivates 16 hectares (~40 acres) of coffee on rocky steep terroir, which––although challenging to work on––is some of the best terroir for coffee in all of Brazil. They have been producing specialty coffee since 2002, and won third place in the regional competition of Bateia this year!
ABOUT CATUAI
Catuai is from the Typica-Bourbon lineage. It is a cross between Mundo Novo and Caturra. This variety type is high yielding in comparison to the traditional Bourbon variety. Because of its smaller size the plants can be more closely spaced, meaning it can be planted at nearly double the density while maintaining high cup quality. This characteristic makes it a very good option for producers.
Pricing Details
Farm Gate (USD; Green)
$19.80/KG
FOB
$24.20/KG
FOT
$26.07/KG
The cost of getting a coffee from cherry to beverage varies enormously depending on its place of origin and the location of its consumption. The inclusion of price transparency is a starting point to inform broader conversation around the true costs of production and the sustainability of specialty coffee as a whole.