Sitio Sao Beneditio

The farm spans 15 hectares, and they produce around 300 bags of coffee annually. Situated at an altitude of 1,200 meters, the higher elevation must also contribute to the coffee's exceptional flavour profile. They use natural processing, a common method in the region due to its simplicity and ability to highlight the coffee’s natural sweetness. Harvesting takes place from June to August.

Despite the farm’s success, Lessandro and Tatiane face several challenges. The changing climate is one of the most pressing issues, as unpredictable weather patterns—such as droughts, irregular rainfall, and fluctuating temperatures—pose risks to their crops. The mountainous and rocky terrain on the farm also adds complexity, making farming more labour-intensive. The steep, uneven land limits the use of machinery, so much of the work is done manually, requiring hard physical labour. Furthermore, like many smallholder farmers, gaining direct access to specialty coffee markets can be difficult. Larger farms have more resources to establish relationships with buyers, but smaller operations like theirs must work harder to find their place in a competitive market. This is where the Co-operative model in Brazil has been very successful, offering smaller producers opportunities to make direct contact with international buyers.

Lessandro and Tatiane are members of the Cooxupé cooperative and have found valuable support through their Especialissimo program. Launched in 2016 Especialissimo an initiative which focuses on high potential producers and aims to improve the production of specialty coffees by offering a range of resources and support to small producers refine their coffee production, and increase the quality of their harvest.