Paraiso

The Paraiso offering is a singular expression of resilience and innovation from José Maria de Oliveira, whose coffee journey began as a boy running barefoot through his grandfather's plantation in Campos Altos. When family hardship forced the farm's sale, José spent decades in pharmaceutical work, never abandoning his dream of returning to the red earth of Minas Gerais. In 2004, he bought Fazenda Serrinha with his own hands - building every structure, planting every tree. His farms now sit at the convergence point where Atlantic Forest rains meet Cerrado Mineiro's mineral-rich soil, creating growing conditions found nowhere else in Brazil. At 1,200 meters elevation, cool nights drop to 10°C while volcanic soils deliver the acidity that defines Designation of Origin Cerrado Mineiro coffee. José's cultivation of the Paraiso MG2 variety represents modern Brazilian coffee innovation. Developed by the Federal University of Viçosa, this rust-resistant hybrid of Catuaí Amarelo and Timor crosses traditional Brazilian sweetness with new-world complexity. His dedication earned him first place in the 2023 Minas Gerais specialty coffee competition - recognition of four decades perfecting his craft. The natural process unfolds across fifteen sun-drenched days on raised drying beds, where hand-picked cherries are meticulously turned every few hours. This extended contact between fruit and seed develops the molasses depth and honeyed sweetness that define this lot. José's vertically integrated operation - from selective harvesting through final sorting with infrared laser technology - ensures traceability and impeccable quality control at every stage. Following natural drying, the coffee undergoes color sorting and density separation before resting in controlled storage. The lot achieves precise 11-12% moisture content, optimal for preserving the delicate floral aromatics while building body. His Rainforest Alliance and UTZ certifications reflect sustainable practices protecting the Atlantic Forest convergence zone his farms call home. This harvest presents rich and velvety layers of dark chocolate and molasses, elevated by natural honey sweetness and a creamy, full body. As the cup develops, delicate floral notes emerge - hints of jasmine and orange blossom that speak to the Paraiso variety's unique genetic profile. The finish carries smooth tobacco and brown sugar depth, with lingering caramel complexity that extends well beyond the final sip. The natural process and Cerrado's volcanic minerality create a cup of remarkable balance - low-to-medium acidity wrapped in silky texture, perfect as both morning filter coffee and afternoon espresso. Meticulous roasting to Full City (medium) preserves the floral elegance while fully developing the chocolate and molasses foundations.