The Arara Coffee Variety
Before we jump in, let's quickly understand what we mean by coffee varieties. Consider different kinds of apples – which are all basically apples, but they vary in taste, color, and size. Similarly, coffee has different varieties too, all within the coffee family, each with its own unique taste and growing needs. Easy, right?
So What is Arara Coffee?
Arara is a coffee variety that came into existence through the cross-pollination of Yellow Catuai and Obatã. This genetic combination was developed to harness the best traits of both parents - the high yield and cup quality of Yellow Catuai and the disease resistance of Obatã. The result variety offers both resilience against common coffee diseases like leaf rust and a flavor profile that truly stands out.
Why We Chose It
Growing at altitudes of 1000 meters and above, the Arara variety has shown an exceptional adaptation to the unique environmental conditions of Minas Gerais. Its ability to thrive in the region's volcanic soil not only enhances its resistance to drought, but also contributes to a distinct flavor profile with notes of almond, caramel, cocoa, and ripe-citrus.
However, choosing Arara wasn't without its fair share of challenges. The initial establishment and ongoing cultivation of this variety demand a thorough understanding of the local environment, and a commitment to best coffee farming practices. However, when executed correctly, the advantages of working with this variety significantly outweigh the challenges. Its adaptability to a range of environmental stresses and the amazing cup quality, has made Arara a sustainable and profitable choice for our farm. So far, this variety has also shown a stable yield year after year, which is great for both producers and laborers. (Except in 2022, when a severe frost event had ruined majority of our coffee that season)
Since Ebru’s team solely works with single-origin coffees, another compelling reason for our selection of Arara was its remarkable profile. The cup is balanced yet complex, with an interplay of dark milk chocolate, satisfying body, and a hint of fruit. To us, this flavor profile of Aarara variety seemed like a perfect representation of a Brazilian coffee.
A Cultural Significance
Brazil's reputation for specialty coffee hasn't always been great, commonly stereotyped for the quantity of coffee it produces rather than the quality. Yet, instead of ignoring it as a region, we looked at it as an opportunity to do something different. Even choosing to work with the Arara variety was a small part of that choice. This choice wasn't just about what we grow, but also about how we grow it, process it, and deliver it. Arara finally allowed us for adoption of strict sustainable farming practices, a path which is not generally taken in Brazil.
This approach is our way of contributing to a change in the coffee industry, one towards appreciating quality over quantity, and sustainability over exploitation. This hard work has also allowed the farming community to uphold the idea that thoughtful, sustainable farming can help overcome cultural blocks, and lead to a future where quality and sustainability are the core of coffee production.