Brazil Sítio Vista Alegre
Bold Profile | Medium-dark roast
Tasting Notes: Toasted Almonds, Brown Sugar, Dark Chocolate
IT ALL STARTS AT THE COFFEE FARM
Margarida and José Élio Vilela started their journey as coffee growers 10 years ago. Their greatest motivation came in realizing their dream of working in their own business and, the greatest of all, in using the income from production to provide their daughters with access to education.
And the dream came true - today, the couple has a daughter with a law degree and works in the area. Their other daughter is studying psychology.
Since 2021, Margarido and Jose Élio have been part of the Black Coffee Producers Project, built in partnership with Apará Cafés Especials and BD Imports (the latter whom we purchased this coffee from!). For the couple, being a part of the project is a source of great joy, and they also feel it gives them recognition for their work in the production of specialty coffee.
During BD Imports' most recent producer post-harvest training meeting held on May 17th 2024, Margarida explained that being part of the program has made her feel like a more empowered Black woman in Brazil. They currently have 2.5 hectares of land and they are going to invest in buying more: their involvement in the Black Coffee Producers Project has allowed them funds to purchase a little more land and increase their production.
Margarida _ Joel Elio sitting, not looking at camera
Magarida with coffee trees
Margarida & Joel Élio, Vista Alegre, Brazil
TRACEABILITY
COUNTRY
Brazil
REGION
Minas Gerais
IMPORTER
BD Imports
VARIETAL
Yellow Catucai
PRODUCER
Margarida and José Élio Vilela
MILL / WASHING STATION
On the farm
PROCESSING
Natural
ALTITUDE
960 meters
DID YOU KNOW
Since 2021, Margarido and Jose Élio have been part of the Black Coffee Producers Project, built in partnership with Apará Cafés Especials and BD Imports. For the couple, being a part of the project is a source of great joy, and they also feel it gives them recognition for their work in the production of specialty coffee.
PRICE TRANSPARENCY
$3.60
Price paid by Driftaway
$2.95
Free on Board price
$2.41
Farm Gate price
$2.08
Fair Trade price per pound
$1.88
Coffee C-Market price per pound
$0.05
Driftaway's World Coffee Research contribution per pound
This coffee travelled 4,489 miles to the Driftaway Coffee roastery in Queens.
Love the coffee? You can share your compliments & tasting observations with the farmers.
WHY DID WE SELECT THIS COFFEE?
The Vilela's dedication to producing exceptional coffee shines through in this complex and sweet dark roast.
AVERAGE CUPPING SCORE
86
/100
86
SCAA Cupping Score
15 x 60 k
Bags purchased
2 years
Length of producer relationship
100% (in 2023)
Transparent coffees purchased
HOW DID WE ROAST THIS COFFEE?
This coffee is being roasted by Ian T. from April 22 to May 15 in Brooklyn. We use the Loring Kestrel roaster for this profile. We have strict guidelines for each of the coffee profiles, and this roast has to pass the development time ratio test as measured in real-time by the roasting software, Cropster. Once it does, it is approved for production.
QUALITY CONTROL
We perform Quality Control via a process of coffee tasting called cupping on all of our production roasts once a week at our roastery in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Each cupping is conducted by James M. and Ian T. using standard equipment, and is logged by our Q-certified cupper Ian T. All coffees are evaluated on a scoring scale of 0 to 3.
- 3.0 = exceptional roast - exceeds expectations
- 2.5 = on par with profile - matches expectations
- 2.0 = good roast, but 1 or 2 elements could be improved - needs improvement
- 1.5 or lower = failed - do not ship
PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING
Less than 24 hours after roasting, we bag your coffee in our production facility in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Our production team is led by Anthony and Torie, and supported by a rotating cast of local artists, musicians and independent professionals.
AT YOUR HOME
Brew this coffee with your favorite home brewer and enjoy the taste of incredible coffee! Here are a few tips on how to make the best coffee on each brewer.
View other posts about how to make better coffee at home on our blog Coffeecademy.
