Ipanema pulped natural Screen 19+
Coffee:
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Ipanema pulped natural Screen 19+
Fazendas Capoeirinha, Conquista and Rio Verde
Mundo Novo, Acaia and Icatu
850-1,350 metres above sea level
Pulped natural
Ipanema Agricola
Alfenas and Machado
Sul de Minas Gerais
Brazil
Additional information:
At Mercanta, we deal directly with farms and cooperatives large and small. What all share is the
production of the very highest quality coffee. Ipanema has been producing coffee since the 1970s
and is certainly one of the largest we deal with. Total annual production at Ipanema even exceeds
the annual production of several of the smaller producing countries!
Ipanema’s infrastructure, located at two processing centres in Fazenda Capoeirinha and Fazenda
Conquista, can prepare up to 140,000 bags a year and in the peak of the harvest the company’s
cupping team analyses more than 300 samples per day. The coffees that are blended to produce
Ipanema Gourmet are produced at 3 individual farms - Fazendas Capoeirinha, Conquista and Rio
Verde, which lie at 850-970 metres above sea level (for full farm descriptions see sub-headings
below). These are all prepared using the pulped natural process.
In addition to its coffee production areas, Ipanema also cultivates a sustainable harvest of
eucalyptus trees. Unlike most other coffee farms which grow eucalyptus, this is not a diversified
timber crop; the eucalyptus at Ipanema is grown exclusively to provide the natural fuel required
during the coffee drying process.
Not surprisingly, Ipanema is one of the largest employers in the area and offers around 2,000
jobs during the peak harvest time in addition to its 300 regular jobs. The workers enjoy many
benefits such as free distribution of soy milk, food staples, medical plan, transportation and
lodging.
Fazenda Conquista
Located on the shores of the Furnas lake, in the municipality of Alfenas, this farm has the perfect
microclimate for protection against low temperatures. Considered to be one of the largest farms in
the world in terms of area, the Fazenda Conquista uses 79% of its 1,800 hectares for the
cultivation of coffee, while the remaining 21% comprises preservation and protected forest areas.
Soil: Resting on metamorphic rocks, its soils contain silt and clay, which are rich in
decomposable minerals and have a great capacity to retain water.
Climate: The mild subtropical region provides ideal conditions for ripening coffee. The proximity
to the lake provides the entire estate with a unique microclimate, constituting a natural protection
against the low temperatures that are common in harsh winters. The farm receives regular rains
during the summer, with average annual rainfall around 1,370 mm [54 inches] (last 10 years). The
average temperature in the summer is around 25ºC [77ºF].
Altitude: The farm has a basically flat topography and coffee is planted at altitudes between 780
and 850 meters [2,550 to 2,800 feet]. These characteristics enable the farm to be 100%
mechanized.
Irrigation: The Fazenda Conquista has 450 hectares irrigated by a drip system, which
guarantees the lowest rate of water consumption per hectare.
Fazenda Capoeirinha
Located in the region of Sul de Minas, in the municipality of Alfenas, the Fazenda Capoeirinha
was the first property acquired by Ipanema in 1969. Of its 2,200 hectares of land, 70% are used
for producing coffee, while the remaining 30% comprises reserves and protected forest areas.
Soil: Resting on metamorphic rock, the soils are argillaceous (formed from sedimentary rocks
and deposits) and rich in decomposable minerals, which have a great capacity to retain water.
Climate: The region is characterized by a mild subtropical climate, with rainy summers and dry
winters, favorable for the cultivation of coffee. Temperatures range from 24ºC [75ºF] in the
summer to around 18ºC [64ºF] in the winter, but can fall below freezing during severe winters.
Average annual rainfall is about 1,440 mm [57 inches] (average of last 10 years).
Altitude: The estate has coffee plantations from 780 to 950 meters [2,550 to 3,100 feet] in
altitude. It should be noted that cultivars descended from the “Bourbon” are produced at altitudes
above 900 meters [2,950 feet].
Irrigation: Fazenda Capoeirinha has 290 hectares irrigated by a drip system, which is considered
to be the most economical in terms of water use per hectare.
Fazenda Rio Verde
Located in the middle of the Mantiqueira mountain range, the Fazenda Rio Verde, which has
been in existence for over 100 years, is surrounded by virgin forest and has many waterfalls and
beautiful hiking trails. This estate is a true natural sanctuary, where coffee occupies just over 40%
of the total area.
Soil: The soil is predominantly argillaceous, with red oxisols, rich in decomposable material. On
the mountain slopes, the diversity of vegetation has given these soils an unequalled richness in
terms of nutrients and organic material.
Climate: The mountainous region has its own microclimate. With mild temperatures, which range
from 18 to 23ºC [64 to 73ºF], the estate is privileged to have an average annual rainfall higher
than 1,600 mm [63 inches]. During winter, temperatures occasionally fall before freezing in lowlying areas.
Altitude: The Fazenda Rio Verde has the most rugged terrain among the farms that comprise
Ipanema. Ranging from 800 to 1,350 meters [2,600 to 4,400 feet] in altitude, almost all farm
operations must be conducted by hand. Another characteristic of this topography are the different
amounts of sunlight that each area receives. This creates a large number of “terroirs” which
create cup characteristics that are completely different from each other.
Irrigation: the rugged terrain of the Fazenda Rio Verde prevents the use of irrigation. However,
the rainfall regime is the highest among all the company’s farms.