Green Bean Feature
Marcelo Brussi, CEO of Minas Hill (second from top left) has worked with Brazilian farmers since 2012.
Coffee that goes beyond BeanScene speaks to Minas Hill Founder Marcelo Brussi about his passion to exclusively support Brazilian specialty coffee.
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elebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2022, Minas Hill is as passionate about supporting its Brazilian farming partners and their communities as the day it started. Minas Hill Founder Marcelo Brussi says this commitment is due to his understanding of and appreciation for the dedication of farm owners and their workers who make coffee production possible.
PARTNERS IN PASSION
“We want to celebrate the joy of partnering with producers who value innovation, sustainability and quality, while building long-lasting relationships and drinking great coffee,” Marcelo says. “If there’s anything we want to present to the market at the beginning of 2022, it’s our producers and their incredible micro lots.” One such producer who has worked with Minas Hill since the beginning is
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producer Jean Vilhena of Eldorado Farm in Ibiraci. Located on the border of Minas Gerais and São Paulo at 1200 metres above sea level, this farm has more than 100 years of family history in coffee growing. “Jean will deliver more than 10 micro lots this year from his farm of 10,000 square metres,” says Marcelo. Gabriel Oliveira, another valued Minas Hill producer, is a sixth-generation coffee producer who will deliver three award-winning micro lots this year, each named after the fruit that resembles its flavour profile. Farmer Pedro Gabarra will deliver three micro lots, including a natural processed Geisha, produced at Fazenda Pinhal. And Ismael Andrade will present three “super batches” featuring different fermentation processes. This will include cryo-fermentation, in which cherries are fermented at low temperatures. Marcelo says these producers will create award-winning coffees that will
redefine the concept of Brazilian coffee. “We don’t just want to present coffees coming from a coop. It’s important for us that our customers create a strong connection with our producers.” Marcelo says it’s for this reason that Minas Hill has encouraged producers to invest in quality since the beginning of 2021. Marcelo says delivering a quality product is key to helping Minas Hill’s customers expand their customer base, which is crucial at a time when retaining customers is challenging. “We want to bring joy to the market by bringing more quality in the cup to Australian coffee lovers,” he says.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Marcelo’s admiration for coffee stems from his relationship with his grandfather Francisco Brussi who was born on a coffee farm in São Paulo. “My grandfather was born into a coffee farm when his family immigrated
