Brazil: Barreiro

Starting with juicy golden raisins up front, there's a sweet almond quickly following that up. That almost marzipan sweetness is balanced on the aftertaste by a sprinkling of roasted hazelnuts and a little cocoa in this balanced and very quaffable cup.

The story of Fazenda do Barreiro begins on December 11th 1820, when Captain Joaquim Bernardes da Costa Junqueira received a parcel of uncultivated land from Dom João VI, then King of the United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The sesmaria land grant system was used to distribute land in Brazil to encourage settlement and agriculture, these large tracts of land were awarded to colonists by the crown to cultivate and develop. On this extensive area of land, Captain Joaquim settled his large family. His seventh son, Colonel Agostinho José da Costa Junqueira (also the founder of nearby Poços de Caldas) planted the first coffee plants at the end of the 19th century, after rightly identifying that the land would be perfectly suited to grow coffee. Situated at an average altitude of 1,150 metres above sea level along the fertile São Domingos mountain range, the region’s mild climate is ideal for coffee production.

The Sul de Minas region, in the southernmost corner of Minas Gerais, has a long tradition of coffee cultivation and has become synonymous with exceptional coffee production. The combination of fertile soil, optimal altitude, mild temperatures, and a balanced mix of sun and rainfall are the ideal conditions for cultivating high-quality coffee beans. This unique microclimate plays a vital role in shaping the flavour profile of this coffee, contributing to the development of complexity, balance, and sweetness. Sul de Minas is the leading region for Arabica coffees in Brazil, with 30% of Brazil’s total Arabica production hailing from this area.

Over generations, Barreiro has evolved into a diverse operation, producing not only exceptional coffee but also raising cattle and growing eucalyptus. It currently belongs to Icatú Agropecuária Ltd, a family company run by Colonel Agostinho’s great-grandson, Francisco Otávio Lotufo, and his son, Manuel Otávio Lotufo, as his successor. Francisco and Manuel are part of a proud family tradition, both rooted in Brazil’s rich coffee-growing heritage and looking forwards with a modern approach to sustainability.

Today, Francisco and Manuel continue to steward the land with a focus on cultivating high-quality coffee using practices that protect the environment and support their local community. Francisco prioritizes preserving the farm’s natural resources, with 40% of Fazenda do Barreiro’s area preserved with forests, springs and waterways where native flora and fauna are protected. Welfare and collaboration with their workers is highly valued, and the business supports 30 families residing on the farm. Their hands-on approach ensures that every stage of production is handled with care and expertise.

At Ozone Coffee, we’re proud to work closely with producers like Francisco and Manuel. Our partnership is built on shared values of quality, transparency, and long-term collaboration. By sourcing coffee from Fazenda Barreiro, we’re not only bringing unique and flavourful coffees to our customers, we are also supporting the people and stories behind every cup. It’s a relationship that celebrates both tradition and innovation, and we’re excited to continue growing together.

• Country: Brazil
• State: Minas Gerais
• Region: Sul de Minas
• Nearest city: Poços de Caldas
• Producer: Francisco Otávio Lotufo
• Farm: Fazenda do Barreiro
• Elevation: 1,100 m.a.s.l.
• Variety: Icatu
• Processing method: Natural
• Farm size: 664.5 hectares
• Coffee growing area: 120.64 hectares
• Varietals grown: Bourbon, Catuaí, Catucaí, Mundo Novo, Acaiá, Obata, and Icatú
• Harvest months: April - September

Cupping notes: Golden raisin, almond, roasted hazelnut.

Cup of Excellence Cupping Scores

• Clean Cup: 6/8
• Clean Cup: 6/8
• Sweetness: 6.5/8
• Acidity: 6/8
• Mouthfeel: 6.5/8
• Flavour: 6.5/8
• Aftertaste: 6/8
• Balance: 6.5/8
• Overall: 6.5/8
• Correction: +36
• Total: 86.5/100

Medium Dark
A steady to slightly longer roast for this, stopping just before second crack but developing those layers of sweetness fully.