Terra Alta Natural

The new harvest from Fazenda Terra Alta features sweet aromas of peanut brittle, dried apricot, milk chocolate, and molasses. Peanut brittle and chocolate notes continue into the brewed cup, with a smooth body and gentle yellow apple acidity. Hazelnut and milk chocolate linger in the finish.

Details

Producer: Paulo and Juliana Piancastelli  Farm: Fazenda Terra Alta  Region: Ibiá, Minas Gerais  Altitude: 960-1,021 masl Varietal: IAC 125, Catuaí Process: Natural  Roast: Light Notes: Peanut Brittle, Apricot, Semi-Sweet Chocolate

The Story

Catuaí is a hybrid of the compact Caturra and the highly productive Mundo Novo varieties. Its small size makes higher-density planting possible, increasing yield. Its cherries mature slowly, producing a sweet, small-sized bean.

IAC 125 is a relatively new dwarf cultivar released by the Agronomy Institute of Campinas that is resistant to Coffee Leaf Rust. Its cherries create a considerable amount of mucilage, which is beneficial to the natural and pulped natural processes.

This natural-process lot was slowly and carefully sun-dried on raised beds.

Direct Trade

Fazenda Terra Alta was born in 2010 when Paulo and Juliana Piancastelli left their corporate lives behind and searched for greener pastures. They started planting in 2011 and have produced high-scoring and award-winning coffees since their first harvest in 2013.

In their relatively short time in the specialty coffee industry, the Piancastellis have put together an expert production team, planted high-quality coffee varietals, and implemented innovative processing methods.

Paulo and Juliana have built an independent importing/exporting structure that supports the Direct Trade model fully. They work with roasters during the harvest to seek out micro-lots as well as collaboration on processing methods. They are also in complete control of the coffee during shipment as they own an importation warehouse in the United States.

When Paulo and Juliana visited us, we were impressed by their talent and values. We hope to work with them for years to come!

Terra Alta’s Mission:

“To pioneer new approaches to high quality green coffee production, to positively impact the environment and the community, to boldly go where no grower has gone before.”

The Terra Alta Natural, sourced from the Ibiá region of Minas Gerais, Brazil, represents the meticulous work of producers Paulo and Juliana Piancastelli. Grown at an elevation between 960 and 1021 masl, this lot features the IAC 125 varietal. As a natural-processed coffee, the cherries are dried with the fruit intact, a technique that often imparts a distinct sweetness and heavier body to the final cup. You can learn more about the nuances of these processing methods to understand how they influence the profile of beans like this one.

Roasted by PT's Coffee Roasting, this selection highlights the classic characteristics of the Brazil · Ibiá, Minas Gerais region. The roaster identifies notes of peanut brittle, apricot, and semi-sweet chocolate. To better identify these specific descriptors, consult the flavor wheel for a deeper exploration of how these sensory experiences are categorized in specialty coffee.