From Brazil to Your Cup: Minamihara Auction Success

We have some very exciting news to share! Following our recent Minamihara Auction Lot Cupping, we’re thrilled to announce that we’ve managed to secure all three of your favourite lots from the auction cupping. We’re particularly excited about this one, because these aren’t just any coffees; they’re the culmination of years of passion, dedication, and tenacity – resulting in a some of the finest Brazil coffee we’ve ever had the pleasure of trying.

Minamihara Farm: A Legacy of Organic Excellence

Nestled in the Alta Mogiana region of Franca, Brazil, lies the beautiful Fazenda Minamahara. Established by the Minamihara family, who immigrated from Japan in the 1930s, the farm is a blend of traditional values and innovative practices. They champion organic, natural-process coffee farming, ensuring sustainability and quality in their diverse varieties like Red Obata and Catuicai-açu, uniquely grown under the shade of avocado trees.

Recently, Fazenda Minamihara celebrated a significant milestone: their 50th anniversary. This half-century mark is not just a testament to their enduring legacy but also a celebration of their journey and achievements in the coffee industry. To commemorate this special occasion, the farm hosted its first-ever coffee auction. This anniversary was a moment to honour the past, present, and future of Fazenda Minamihara, a farm that has become synonymous with high-quality, sustainably produced coffee.

Our Journey to Minamihara: Experiencing the Farm’s Magic

Our recent visit to Minamihara farm in October 2023 was an unforgettable experience. We were graciously hosted by Fourth-generation owner Anderson and his mother and father, who shared their world with us. Their kindness and hospitality was as enriching as the coffee they cultivate. The farm itself is a departure from the typical Brazilian coffee farm, with an ecosystem that is both lush and nurturing. The thoughtful planting of avocado trees provides natural shade for the coffee trees, creating an ideal environment for the cherries to mature more slowly, developing an incredible flavour profile.

Learning about their farming practises, and how they’ve navigated transitioning to fully organic is awe-inspiring. Sacrificing quantity for quality, a bold move in the competitive world of commodity coffee, shows remarkable courage and foresight, particularly in the face of climate change.

Hearing stories of their families migration to Brazil in the 19030’s, traversing half way across the globe into a foreign country, to pursue an uncertain industry is a tale of resilience and ambition.

Chatting with Anderson and his family, it’s clear how invested and passionate they are. Their faces brimming with excitement as they walked us through their farm, which is not just a thriving coffee plantation, but a vibrant ecosystem teeming with life—which they created. It’s not just selling coffee for them, it’s their life, their history, their gift to the world.

The Auction: A Culmination of Fifty Years of Passion

Participating in Minamihara’s inaugural coffee auction was not just a business endeavour; it was an honour. As the farm commemorated half a century of dedication, we witnessed the fruits of their labour and commitment. Securing three of their finest coffees, we are now proudly the first in Australia to feature these exclusive beans from Minamihara.

Introducing Our Auction Wins

Chiyoki 100-1

Varietal: Gesha IPR
Farm: Santa Maria
Process: Natural, Shade Grown, Shaded African Bed Dried.

Kazumi 10-2

Varietal: Catuicai-açu
Farm: Ouro Verde
Process: Natural, Shade Grown, Shaded African Bed Dried.

Hikaru 02

Varietal: Red Obatã – 30 Year old trees
Farm: Paineiras
Process: Natural, Shaded Raised Bed Dried.

Looking Forward

As we prepare to introduce these exceptional coffees from Minamihara to Australia, we can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and pride. These coffees are not just about their exquisite flavours; they are about a legacy, a commitment to organic farming, and a celebration of heritage. Stay tuned for more updates as we bring the unique taste of Minamihara to your cup.