He was landing in Los Angeles in an hour or two. It had been a long time since we'd seen our Brother-in-law. The painful wait for visas, green cards, and citizenship had isolated us for years. All the more reason to accomplish my goal of bringing Mel's hometown to our new one.
Amidst the Disneyland tickets and other necessities was a package I'd been waiting a long time for. Coffee from an award-winning coffee farm, not far from Bauru, was in his luggage. This was the first major step forward in my plan.
Thanks to a Barista Hustle article, I was able to find the coffee growing region of Garça and Marilia. The loud and fabled coffee region of Minas Gerais normally drowns out any mention of this area, but it is recognized by Brazilian coffee authorities as special. The weather, ground, and farming practices make coffee grown here different than others.
One sip and I knew I was on the right track. The award-winning farm's light roast lived up to its name. Chocolatey, nutty, sweet, balanced, and pleasant. No harsh bitterness, not need to dress it up. Why didn't we have this sort of coffee in the United States?
I saw a path forward. While other coffee companies were specializing in sugary coffee-like beverages, heavily roasted coffee at scale, or blends of specialty coffee from multiple origins, I could claim a niche. I could bring this type of coffee to others in my beloved United States.
Over time I continued outreach. The gears of government turned, and eventually we were able to book a flight to Brazil. Among the crowded itinerary of family reunion was a special visit to our partner farm in Garça, Brazil. After a quick drink with Menino, the local bar's mascot (seen below), we headed out.
0 comments