Sao Judas Tadeu

Brazil, Espresso Roast, Pulped Natural Process

State : Bahia

Town : Piatã

Sourcing

As one of Brazil’s most celebrated coffee producers, Antônio Rigno has played a pivotal role in elevating the name of his hometown of Piatã among the international coffee community. Even after 40 years of coffee production, 77-year-old Antônio continues to spend every day at São Judas with wife Terezinha (who is 80 herself) by his side, applying the meticulous and careful approach to harvesting and processing that shot their coffee to fame. Antônio often jokes that he must’ve been born under a coffee tree — something the numerous Cup of Excellence awards he has earned appear to confirm!

São Judas extends across some 60 hectares — with 15 of those under coffee — making it one of the larger estates in Piatã. The farm is mainly planted with Yellow and Red Catuaí, although Antônio has also planted Yellow Bourbon trees after trialling them successfully in recent years. The estate’s carefully executed renewal program is vital in ensuring trees remain healthy and full of energy. The series of measures involves pruning trees on a two-to-three-year cycle, depending on the weather and the current health of the estate. By pruning up to 50% of his crop at a time, Antonio ensures each tree receives plentiful nutrients and moisture from the soil, even during periods of drought (as occurred in the 2024 harvest).