Bahia
Chapada da Diamantina
The mountains of Chapada das Diamantinas, located in the heart of Bahia, have directly contributed to the pleasing experience of the mountains. The region started gaining international notoriety not only for its beautiful landscape but is also recognized for its production of gourmet and special coffees.
The categories of the drinks and the harvests are considered to be excellent and have drawn connoisseurs and baristas from all over the world.
Having a distinctive flavor, the coffee drink is smooth, with notes of molasses, citric fruits and red berries as well as an elegant acidity and an intense aroma. From this region come exclusive blends which are combinations of beans and different roasting levels. Café Terroa, from the county of Piata, created three types called Sol Amarelo, Terra Vermelha and Vento Forte.
Each one has sensory characteristic that please discerning palates. To achieve this result many growers work on artisanal basis. Coffees from Piata, one of the highest counties of the Northeast, have already achieved many prizes and many times have been champions of Bahia. In 2009, they achieved Brazilian champion status in the most prestigious championship of the sector, The Cup Of Excellence which also occurs in other coffee producing countries of the world. In 2011, the county coffee reached second place, surpassing growers of other traditional regions of Brazil.
Ideal Climate
The production of high quality coffee can be credited mainly to its mild and dry climate as well as an altitude of around 1100 to 1500m. The altitude is the main natural element to control the quality of the beans. The higher the altitude the more aromatic and richer in sugars and natural acids tend to be.
Every region has farms in the higher altitudes like the main county producers such as Mucuge, Piata Ibicoara and in the district of Vale do Capao located in Palmeiras.
Photos of Chapada Diamantina
Cerrado Bahiano
The coffee of the West region of Bahia appeared in the mid 1990’s when a Portuguese coffee farmer, with a extensive experience in the irrigated production in Angola, believed that the Arabica coffee would be successful in the local conditions.
Aside from this story of discovery, the activity today concentrates 15,000 irrigated hectares among a group of 36 growers.
The region is located in the extreme west of Bahia whose county producers make a division with the states of Tocantins, Goias and Minas Gerais having Barreiras, Luis Eduardo Magalhaes, Sao Desiderio and Cocos mainly. The profile of these production areas is easily identified because they are in the Cerrado region with a totally plain relief and a peculiar edaphoclimatic condition.
The temperature presents little annual variation, with average of about 23C, high sun levels, and average height of 800 meters. Rain accumulation of 1,500mm is concentrated between the months of October and April, allowing harvest without rains.
As a result the productivity of Arabica coffee in the West region of Bahia has an average of 45 sacks/hec. This number is the outcome of the farming being 100% irrigated and, along with high technological standards of production, large machinery is used in the plantation.
Good management also yields very good success. To be able to follow this type of production there is a grower’s entrepreneur profile. The major part of the coffee growers from other Brazilian regions inherited successful experiences that broadened horizons for this recent coffee plantation.
This way the differentials of the region interact with the use of high technology and machinery with regular producers and good volumes of coffee obtained in a very well defined geographical region. Competent producers have adapted to innovations that help configure the coffee plantation of the West of Bahia.
The value for the coffee market of the region is the profile of the coffee drink with smooth and fruity patterns, good sweetness and low acidity, as well as the security in commercializing while facing the low risks involved in the production.
Description of the Region:
Number of producers-1,000
Planted Area-139,550 hectares
Arabica-75%
Average productivity- 16.5 sacks/hectare
Average annual temperature-31
Total Productivity- 2,300,000 sacks
Home Page – http://www.abacafe.org.br
Photo of Cerrado Bahiano
Planalto da Bahia
The Southwest region of Bahia Planalto da Conquista, where in 1971 the first coffee trees were planted, today has 2,500 producers who are represented by a cooperative that has 240 associates and an association (ASCCON).
The climate of the region is tropical, with an average temperature of 20 C; and having a plain and slightly wavy
topography. In this region the washed coffee produced by small growers is either semi washed or natural in a harvest area of 19 hec with the use of appropriate technology.
There are also high end growers producing over 50 sacks/ hec. for over 8 seasons. The distinction of the Southwest of Bahia is in the selective harvesting of fine coffees from an altitude of 900 meters. The market values in this region coffees are full washed, fine cupping, good bodied, sweetened and positive acidity.
Description of the Region:
Number of producers- 10,000
Planted Area-139,550 hectares
Arabica- 75%
Average productivity 16.5 sacks/hectare
Average Annual Temperature- 31 C
Total Production- 2,300,000 sacks
