Wine labels typically indicate the region where the beverage was produced, but not always the grapes used. On them, words like "cru" seem to be a testament to quality, even for those who don't know it refers to a specific cultivation site, a certain terroir. As in the eno-universe, soil, climate, altitude, and fruit variety determine the excellence of a coffee. Orfeu Arara is proof of this theory: more than a microlot awarded by the BSCA (Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association), it is the certification of a unique set of characteristics.
In 2020, Orfeu Cafés Especiais selected a small plot on Fazenda Sertãozinho. A small piece of volcanic soil, in one of the highest areas of Southern Minas Gerais. Named Bananal, the space at 1,215 meters of altitude hosted an exclusive and organic plantation of Arara. A variety of Arabica beans that grow on vibrant green plants. When ripe, their fruits are a homogeneous and striking yellow, in an undeniably Brazilian contrast, like the golden conure, a bird also known as ararinha. For Orfeu, it represents not only the colors of the fruits but also organic and sustainable cultivation, which respects nature.
In 2022, the first harvest of Arara was hand-picked, slowly sun-dried, naturally. After being delicately roasted, it produced a coffee with complex aromas, remarkable sweetness, bright acidity, and a silky body. Its notes evoke citrus fruits, such as orange, lemon, and tangerine, and highlight sugarcane juice, rapadura (unrefined whole cane sugar), and molasses. Sunny and cheerful, it entered the category of specialty coffees as "zero defect."
Recognition was swift: Orfeu Arara won the Aroma BSCA 2022, which awards the best Specialty Coffees from the last harvest. This is Orfeu's 5th achievement in 6 years of the competition.
Firm in its purpose of producing and providing Brazilians with one of the best coffees in the world, Orfeu is making available for sale a special edition limited to 500 cork-sealed bottles.
Hand-numbered, each bottle contains 330 grams of organic light roast beans, with unmistakable sweetness, balanced acidity, and a velvety body. Each of them, like a grand cru, refers to the small Bananal plot, high in Minas Gerais. Each of them honors the ararinhas (golden conures) of Northern Brazil. Each of them will be transformed into joyful cups, as if they were glasses of the noblest cocktails.
The bottles come with a tag featuring an embroidered ararinha by the Bordadeiras da Fazenda group, supported by Orfeu and composed of employees or family members of company collaborators. Additionally, they come with a linen and leather bottle holder.
At home, it is recommended that the beans be ground in a manual or super-automatic grinder and prepared using the pour-over method in a ratio of 11 grams of coffee to 100ml of water, or in espresso machines in a ratio of 9 grams of coffee to 40ml of water.