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Brazil | Introduction to the Coffee Region of Minas Gerais

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Brazil holds an important position in the global coffee market as the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, accounting for one-third of the world's coffee exports. Brazil is a South American country and the largest nation in South America, with a strong industrial base and highly developed agriculture. According to historical records,

Brazilian coffee holds a significant position in the global coffee market, as Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, accounting for one-third of the world's coffee exports.

Brazil is a South American country and the largest nation on the continent, with a strong industrial base and highly developed agriculture. According to historical records, as early as 1727, France restricted the export of coffee beans from its territory of Guiana. A Brazilian sergeant major gained the trust of the governor's wife in the capital of French Guiana, and at the end of his local journey, she gave him an Arabica coffee seed, which he brought back to Pará state in Brazil.

Brazil's vast territory features two main topographical regions. The central and southern parts of the country consist mainly of the Brazilian Plateau, with elevations above 500 meters, while the northwestern region primarily comprises plains and the Amazon Basin at elevations below 200 meters. Most of Brazil is situated in tropical zones, with the northern region having a tropical rainforest climate, the central area a tropical savanna climate, and the south a subtropical monsoon humid climate. The Amazon Plain has an average annual temperature of 25-28°C, while the southern region averages 16-19°C.

Brazil possesses sedimentary volcanic rock soil rich in organic matter and minerals, with good drainage, along with numerous rivers, tropical rainforests, and suitable climates, making the country highly suitable for growing coffee and other agricultural products. After coffee was first planted in Pará state, it quickly spread to other Brazilian states, and by 1886, Brazil was already producing 45% of the world's coffee output. Today, it remains the world's largest coffee producer and exporter.

Brazil has 26 states, 17 of which grow and export coffee. Four states—Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo—account for 80% of the total production. Currently, Brazil cultivates two main coffee varieties: Arabica and Robusta.

Minas Gerais: The Heart of Brazilian Coffee

Minas Gerais is Brazil's largest coffee-producing state, accounting for 30% of the national coffee production. Located in southeastern Brazil, don't assume that its high production quantity comes at the expense of quality. The state contains some of Brazil's highest mountains, which effectively protect coffee trees from Atlantic sea winds, allowing excellent coffee trees to grow and thrive.

Additionally, Minas Gerais has several sub-regions, such as Cerrado and Sul de Minas. FrontStreet Coffee offers a pulped natural Cerrado coffee as a representative entry-level selection, featuring chocolate flavors and nutty aromas with a balanced taste.

Cerrado coffee beans from FrontStreet Coffee

Sul de Minas: The Cultural Heart of Brazilian Coffee

Sul de Minas is known as the heart of Brazil's coffee industry, with centuries of coffee production traditions and deeply rooted local coffee culture. The region is predominantly mountainous and hilly, with elevations between 700-1200 meters, resulting in less use of mechanical harvesting. Therefore, Sul de Minas coffee is renowned for its quality and is home to many famous coffee estates, such as Fazenda Esperança, Fazenda Ipanema, and Fazenda Santa Inês.

Fazenda Ipanema, established in 1969, owns over 5,500 hectares of land with 14 million coffee trees and is one of the founding members of the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA). The estate manages three farms, with Fazenda Rio Verde being the most well-known.

Fazenda Rio Verde: Excellence in Coffee Production

Fazenda Rio Verde is located in the heart of the Mantiqueira Mountains in Sul de Minas. Established in 1887 and acquired by Fazenda Ipanema in 2002, this estate spans 1,500 hectares.

The area preserves regions with pristine forest conditions, benefits from the suitable climate provided by the Mantiqueira Mountains, and receives adequate rainfall. Coffee is grown at elevations between 1,000-1,310 meters, surrounded by forests, waterfalls, hot springs, and mountains. While cultivating coffee, the estate also grows other crops and maintains a professional team dedicated to pursuing excellence and innovation to control quality. It possesses complete technical coffee grinding facilities and storage infrastructure, enabling the production of high-quality coffee. In 2023, it achieved first place in the Brazil Cup of Excellence (COE) with a score of 92.15.