Sítio Recanto da Mata

Milk Chocolate / Raisin / Dried Apple

Cultivar Catucai

By tradition, the heritage of small coffee producers is passed from father to son. Not only the plants, house, and equipment but also the knowledge, beliefs, and commercial contacts in the region ensure the vitality of the family business. This had been the case for years—until Valdeir and Eliana changed that reality.

Their business partner is their daughter, Caroline. She is a young and enthusiastic coffee producer who had the opportunity to study and obtain a degree in Physics; however, she chose to apply her knowledge to learn more about the family property. “To preserve my parents' legacy, I am constantly learning more about cupping and other processing methods, such as cleaning and sorting beans,” states Caroline.

During the transition from the third to the fourth generation at the farm, she will soon be responsible for a property located at an altitude between 980 m and 1200 m, predominantly cultivating Red and Yellow Catuaís and Catucaí 785 varietals. “We also have a covered drying patio to process our washed beans,” adds patriarch Valdeir Mauro de Paula.

New techniques and processing methods were key to achieving positive results and proving that they were on the right path: the family won first prize at the Bourbon Specialty Coffee Quality Contest in 2018 and celebrated first place in their city's quality contest. Biological coffee fermentation in boxes contributed to the sensory improvement and, consequently, to these achievements.

This “novelty” was learned during a trip to Guatemala offered to producers from Espírito Santo, where Valdeir had the opportunity to see how specialty coffee is produced in the country. “I expect that this knowledge will improve the production system. We are investing in it because we want to win more prizes and improve our coffee prices,” says Valdeir.

Located in a permanent preservation area for water sources, environmental and sustainability issues are also on their radar. “Protecting the microclimate and native forest is our priority. Our family will continue to be its loyal protector,” concludes Caroline.

The history of Sitio Recanto da Mata, located in Brejetuba, began 70 years ago when Valdeir's father, Mr. Sebastião Pereira de Paula, purchased the coffee farm. “Over the years, my father was able to acquire small pieces of land from neighbors,” explains Valdeir. Numerous difficulties and challenges followed over the years, but they found strength in their work and faith.

Facing innumerable problems, Sebastião promised to build a cross at the highest point of the farm if their situation improved. “We were blessed, and a cross now rests at the highest peak of our mountains,” he says. Today, the property holds a special place for religious gatherings and ceremonies and has also become a tourist attraction in the city of Brejetuba.