"They've got an awful lot of coffee in Brazil." Frank Sinatra wasn’t wrong when he sang that line back in 1946. Brazil is the world’s coffee giant, and its influence on the global coffee industry is unmatched. At Fish River Roasters, we’ve been using Brazilian coffee in our blends since 2006, and for good reason—it’s an essential origin in the world of coffee. Here are six things you should know about Brazilian coffee.
1. Brazil is the World’s Biggest Coffee Producer
Brazil produces a staggering 44 million 60kg bags of coffee every year. To put that into perspective, that’s roughly a third of the world’s total coffee production. Because Brazil grows so much coffee, global coffee prices are often influenced by the size and success of its coffee harvest. Any shifts in weather, such as frost or drought, can cause dramatic fluctuations in coffee prices worldwide.
2. Coffee in Brazil Started with a Scandal
Unlike other coffee-growing regions, Brazil got into the game a little late, but in true dramatic fashion. Coffee originated in Ethiopia, spread through Arabic countries, and later to European colonies. Brazil didn’t start growing coffee until the early 1700s, and it’s all thanks to Francisco de Melo Palheta — a Portuguese diplomat with a knack for charm. While mediating a border dispute between French and Dutch colonies in South America, he managed to seduce the French governor’s wife, who slipped him coffee seedlings hidden in a bouquet of flowers on his departure. By 1727, Brazil planted its first coffee trees, and within a century, it became the world’s largest coffee producer.
3. Brazilian Coffee is High-Tech
Brazil isn’t just a massive coffee producer—it’s also a leader in coffee farming innovation. The country pioneered mechanical harvesting and automated post-harvest processing, making coffee production more efficient and scalable. Thanks to these innovations, Brazilian farms have grown in size and are less dependent on manual labour during harvest season, unlike many other coffee-growing nations.
4. Brazil is HUGE!
Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, even larger than Australia and just a bit smaller than the USA. This vast land provides plenty of room for coffee farms, most of which are located in the southeast, around São Paulo and Minas Gerais. The sheer size of the country allows Brazil to produce a diverse range of coffees, from mass-market varieties to some of the finest specialty coffees.
5. A lot of Brazilian coffee is low quality - some of it is fantastic
While a large percentage of Brazilian coffee is lower quality and aimed at the domestic market, there’s a growing focus on producing high-quality beans. Top-tier Brazilian coffees are known for their medium body, low acidity, and nutty, sweet flavours. Some farmers specialise in quality over quantity, earning premium prices and loyal followers for their exceptional beans. When done right, Brazilian coffee can be just as complex and delicious as any other origin.
6. We’ve Been Using Brazilian Coffee Since Day One
At Fish River Roasters, we’ve been using Brazilian coffee in our blends since we first opened in 2006. It’s an essential component of our Espresso Blend and also features in our new Brightside Blend. Brazilian coffee has always been part of our story, and it continues to be a staple in what we offer.
Whether you’re sipping it in one of our blends or enjoying it as a single origin, Brazilian coffee offers something for everyone. From its high-tech farms to its rich history, Brazil is a key player in the global coffee scene, and we’re proud to feature it in our range.
