Discover the standout names of the year and learn about the evaluation process.
Brazil is not only the largest coffee producer in the world but also ranks second in coffee consumption, just behind the United States, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa). But which is the best coffee in Brazil?
In 2023, Brazilian coffee earned numerous international accolades. Coffees produced by Ipanema Agrícola at Fazenda Rio Verde in Conceição do Rio Verde (MG) and by the Grupo Orfeu at Fazenda Rainha in São Sebastião da Grama (SP) were crowned winners of the Cup of Excellence Brazil 2023, the premier global coffee quality competition.
Another standout was the coffee from Fazenda São Mateus Agropecuária, grown in Patos de Minas (MG) and Varjão de Minas (MG). It won the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award in New York, often referred to as the “Oscar of Coffee.”
Top Brazilian Coffees of 2023
Fazenda Rainha
Originating in Ethiopia, the Geisha coffee bean cultivated on the border between São Sebastião da Grama (SP) and Poços de Caldas (MG) is grown at an altitude of 1,570 meters.
The terroir, or cultivated land, of this region is key to the coffee’s unique quality and aroma. Its volcanic soils impart a citrus flavor with pronounced acidity and hints of yellow fruits, papaya, passion fruit, and orange.
Fazenda Rio Verde
This coffee, awarded in two categories—wet processing and experimental—comes from a 1,500-hectare plantation in the Mantiqueira Mountains.
- Wet processing involves pulped beans that are washed post-harvest.
- Experimental processing refers to beans subjected to induced fermentation.
Fazenda São Mateus Agropecuária
The Guima coffee earned top honors at the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award for being a “rounded, full-bodied Brazilian brew” with rich, smooth flavors balancing chocolate, caramel, brown sugar, and roasted almonds.
The farm employs sustainable practices, focusing on resistant genetic materials, quality-driven management, and artisanal post-harvest care. Its cultivation takes place at an altitude of approximately 1,030 meters.
How Are Coffees Evaluated?
According to Rubens Vuolo, barista and Brazilian Brewers Cup champion, the evaluation process is technical, based on multiple criteria assessed by professional tasters.
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) methodology is used worldwide to determine specialty coffee. To qualify, a coffee must score at least 80 points across attributes like fragrance, sweetness, flavor, acidity, body, finish, and harmony.
The only subjective criterion is the “overall impression” of the sample. The best coffees score above 89, with Brazilian averages reaching 91.
Characteristics of Brazilian Coffee
On the global stage, Brazilian coffee is celebrated for its sweetness and full body.
While Panama’s coffee is renowned for its floral notes and Colombia’s for its fruity profiles, Brazil stands out with flavors reminiscent of chocolate, caramel, and sugarcane.
“Our coffee’s sweetness and density captivate the international market,” explains Vuolo. “These attributes, coupled with unique production efforts, elevate Brazilian coffee to the next level.”
Investing in the distinct potential of Brazilian coffee continues to garner recognition and ensures its position as a leader in the specialty coffee sector.
