Farm Histroy

Sítio Pasto Novo is one of the properties of the De Deus family who has been traditionally growing coffee for generations. The region is known as a fine coffee production region that maintains the methods used since coffee growing was introduced. The farm's topography is mountainous, with an altitude of 1000, appropriate for coffee growing; because of the altitude, plantation up keeping is performed manually.

Nelson Neves, together with his brothers Airton, Kilder, Nilton, Arivaldo, and Marcelo, are dedicated to serious and responsible coffee growing. They are very concerned with preserving the environment and natural resources, with special attention to water sources. The water used to process coffee and for consumption is the same, which evidences that pesticides are applied with great responsibility and chemicals are rarely used in the property.

The producers are members of major coffee associations, and are members of the Minas Gerais Coffee Producers' Cooperative [Cooperativa dos Cafeicultores de Minas Gerais] - COPACAFÉ, an entity that operates to serve small producers almost exclusively.

Coffee processing system

The beans are picked selectively, and the employees are also chosen with care. Only the ripe beans (when they reach the point called "cerejão" (large cherry beans)) are picked manually on appropriate cloth, and at the end of the day, are transferred to the washer, where they are separated again, to eliminate any possible beans that are not adequate to prepare fine coffees, such as the green and dry beans.

Coffee is automatically washed and processed, and they spread out in fine layers on a concrete terrace, where the beans remain until they reach their ideal humidity level.

After drying, the coffee is placed in a bin, where it rests for 75 days in average, aiming at the uniformity of the beans and to emphasize their taste characteristics. Trained employees are assigned to monitor the whole process, guaranteeing the adequate care to the product, even on Sundays and holidays.

Concern with quality

The production of specialty and distinct coffees appeared as an option in hard times for coffee growers who love what they do, in spite of their remuneration.

Since the producers believe there is no more space in society for people that are not committed to what they do, they invest all their efforts to obtain high quality products. All coffee growing phases in their farm are monitored by specialized technical assistance.