Wine labels often indicate the region where the beverage was produced, but not always the grapes used. On them, words like "cru" seem to be a quality seal, 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 the 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 area at 1,215 meters of altitude hosted an exclusive and organic plantation of Arara. A variety of Arabica beans that grows 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, sun-dried, slowly, naturally. After being delicately roasted, it produced a coffee with complex aromas, remarkable sweetness, luminous 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 specialty coffee category as "zero defect."
Recognition was swift: Orfeu Arara won the Aroma BSCA 2022, which awards the best Specialty Coffees from the latest harvest. This is Orfeu's 5th win in 6 years of the competition.
Firm in its purpose to produce and provide Brazilians with one of the best coffees in the world, Orfeu is offering for sale a special edition limited to 500 cork-sealed bottles.
Hand-numbered, each bottle contains 330 grams of light-roasted organic beans, with undeniable sweetness, balanced acidity, and a velvety body. Each one, like a grand cru, refers to the small Bananal plot, high up in Minas Gerais. Each one honors the ararinhas (golden conures) of Northern Brazil. Each one will be transformed into joyful cups, as if they were glasses of the noblest cocktails.
The bottles come with a tag featuring an ararinha embroidered 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.
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