Brazil – Rio Brilhante

BRAZIL-Rio Brilhante

Region: Patrocinio, Cerrado Mineiro region

Producer: Carlos Urban

Altitude: 950 – 1150 masl.

Coffee varieties: Yellow Bourbon

Process: Natural

Drying: Patio

Cupping notes: Orange, Chocolate, Brazil Nut

Cupping score: 85.25

In 2024 we saw Pa (Head Roaster & Greenbean Buyer) travel to Patrocinio in the Cerrado Mineiro region to create a new and cultivate existing Direct Farm Relationship—as this is something that we as a company are passionate about!

While there he had the opportunity to visit Carlos Urban’s farm Rio Brilhante. Carlos brought with him his dream of feeding the world and his passion for coffee. In 1984, he bought a farm in Cerrado Mineiro and named it Rio Brilhante, planting his first coffee trees in a sustainable and innovative way. The varieties they grow are Yellow Bourbon, Catuai Amarelo, Mundo Novo, Arara, Topazio, Obata, Rubi, IBC12, Catuai 144 & Geisha. They work with the following processes: natural, pulped natural, washed & fermented micro lots.

The coffee tends to rest on the patio 2/3 days for pulp naturals and 7/9 days for naturals and the drying process is then finished off in one of their 14 mechanical dyers to achieve a moisture reading between 11-12%.

In addition to coffee Carlos also offers a variety of products such as cotton, beans, corn, cattle, soybean, tomato, and wheat. All production prioritizes sustainability and guarantees quality. In which five hectares of the farm is a water reservoir which filled from dam built by the farmer for water irrigation which can feed 300 hectares of coffee & 90% of the farm is irrigated. They also make their own organic fertiliser which takes 40 days to make and they produce 2.5 tonnes yearly.

Rio Brilhante not only produces outstanding coffees, but it also aligns with several core values that are important to us:

Sustainability + Social Efforts
In 1995 the farm started the Group Farroupilha to add value and invest in the local area, and then in 2018 started the Renova Farroupilha to further their vision and reach. Below are a list of some of the amazing things they have been a part of building over the the past 30 years.

1. Preservation and Recovery of Fauna and Flora
   1. Native Fauna – Through Species monitoring, we managed to map animals at risk of extinction, and we carry out follow-up visits to guarantee the preservation of the maned wolf, rhea, wild dog, and anteater.
   2. Cerrado Recovery – In the last three years we reached the mark of 77,000 seedlings planted of species such as Pequi, Ipe and Embauba. In 2023 we planted 23,000 seedlings alone.
   3. Seedling Nursery and IEF – Through the partnership with IEF and the nursery of seedlings from the Farroupilha Group, we maintain a seed bank of native species and we guarantee more than 10,000 for enrichment of devastated areas.
2. Recovery and Preservation of Hydric Resources
   1. Licensed Dams – With 6 licensed dams in units of the Farroupilha Group we guarantee better use of rainwater, enrichment of ichthyofauna and flora, and the responsible use of resources.
   2. Fish Project – With study and mapping of species in 2022, the Farroupilha Group held the release of 6000 fingerlings of species such as yellow and red tail lambari, piau of three spots, taira, and matrinchã.
   3. Springs Project -More than 180 springs were mapped in the units of the Farroupilha Group, being 10 of them in the process of enrichment of fauna and flora, in addition to the construction of permanent preservation structures.
3. Smart Use of Soil and Disposal
   1. Topping Mix – Through species such as fodder radish, crotalaria, brachiaria, buckwheat, sunflower, among others, used the mix coverage in our crops ensuring greater moisture and heald for the soil.
   2. Carbon Project – A pioneering project in partnership with Boyer and UV and which started in 2021, will determine protocols to neutralise the carbon emissions in the next three years.
   3. Direct planting – Carried out for more than 10 years by the Farroupilha Group, direct planting in crops minimise the impact of rain, reduces erosion and conserves soil microbiology by almost 100%
4. Personal and Professional Evolution of Society
   1. Tia Edna School – Started its activities in 2003 and currently serves 45 children aged 2-4, full time, with nutritional monitoring, schooling, and psychopedagogical services.
   2. João and Maria Project – Starting its activities in 2020, the João and Maria project assists 29 teenagers between 7-14 years old with tutoring, music classes, sports, and entrepreneurship lessons.
   3. Evolution of Education Program– With almost 15 years of existence, the Evolution of Education Program has already included more than 100 employees with Undergraduate, Postgraduate Scholarships that led to graduation, in both technical skills and languages.

To learn more about this unbelievable farm, and all that they are doing, please take a moment and WATCH THIS VIDEO.