What is Santos Coffee?
Santos coffee is a premium Arabica coffee from Brazil. It refers to coffee shipped through the port of Santos in São Paulo, Brazil, rather than a specific coffee bean or growing region. Santos coffee beans grow in the high-altitude regions of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, where ideal climate and soil conditions support high-quality Arabica cultivation. These regions, ranging from 800 to 1,200 meters above sea level, provide the optimal environment for premium coffee production.
What are the Brazil Santos Coffee Beans?
The Brazil Santos coffee beans are the seeds of the Coffea Arabica plant. 'Brazil Santos' beans are a market term signifying a certain type and grade of Brazilian coffee, rather than a geographically defined origin or specific cultivar. Common Brazilian cultivars include Mundo Novo, Bourbon, Icatu, Acai, and Catuai. Brazil Santos coffee beans are graded by screen size, and Screen 17/18 is considered a large, premium, specialty grade.
How is Santos Coffee Produced?
Brazil Santos coffee production involves several key steps, varying by region and practice. The region's flat terrain allows mechanical harvesting of ripe cherries during the April-September dry season. Santos coffee is typically processed using the natural or dry method, where the entire coffee cherry is dried in the sun. After drying, the husk is removed, leaving the green bean. Some producers use the semi-washed or pulped natural method, while the fully washed or wet process is less common. Before shipping, the beans are sorted, graded, and packed into 60 kg bags, then transported to the Port of Santos for worldwide distribution.
What Does Brazil Santos Coffee Taste Like?
Brazil Santos coffee has a versatile flavor profile with aromas of mandarin orange and roasted nuts. It features initial tastes of dark chocolate, brown sugar, and citrus. This coffee has mild to low acidity, a smooth, creamy texture, and a medium body. Regional variations include balanced sweetness and chocolate-nut flavors in Minas Gerais, fruity notes in Bahia, and citrus-berry hints in São Paulo.
How to Make Brazil Santos Coffee?
To make Brazil Santos coffee, start by following these five steps below.
- Grind Fresh Beans: Use medium-fine for drip or pour-over, fine for espresso, and coarse for French press or cold brew.
- Heat Water: Use filtered water at 195-205°F (90-96°C).
- Brew Method: Choose drip, pour-over, French press, or cold brew.
- Steep or Pour: Drip and pour-over require slow pouring; French press steeps for 4-5 minutes; cold brew steeps for 12-24 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy: Strain and serve hot or cold.