Generation after generation, coffee is not only part of the daily life of Brazilians but also an essential part of their history and economy.
After lunch, dinner, in a business meeting, or even while waiting to be attended by the bank manager, having a “cafezinho” (small coffee) is part of a great tradition in Brazil.
Drinking coffee is a way to relax, celebrate, do business, meet friends, and is synonymous with “welcome.” Wherever you go, someone will surely ask: “Would you like a cafezinho?” They usually do not accept a no as an answer.
A cup of cafezinho is a small, intense, and above all, very sweet sip of pure black coffee. The modest bars and shops in every corner of the country serve cafezinho. Sometimes, it comes in a small plastic cup and, in more sophisticated places, in an elegant glass or porcelain cup. At breakfast, it is often consumed with milk, the famous “café com leite” (coffee with milk). But, in general, Brazilians do not make coffee variations like iced lattes or frappuccinos. Coffee in Brazil is kept simple and uncomplicated.
History
Coffee is not only an old tradition in Brazil followed by generations but also an essential part of its history.
The plant, originally from Ethiopia, was first brought to the country by French colonists who settled in the state of Pará in the early 18th century. Thriving in the ideal conditions provided by the climate, coffee fields spread from Northern Brazil throughout the country, concentrating in areas along the coast. During this period, sugar plantations represented the main economic activity of the country, and coffee was merely a luxury.
However, by around 1820, coffee represented Brazil’s most exported product. Production peaked when coffee plantations reached the fertile soils of the Paraíba Valley – a region that is part of the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
In the 19th century, Brazilian coffee was the main export product, supplying European and American markets. By 1840, Brazil became the world’s largest coffee exporter. The country was greatly enriched by this, and a new society was formed, governed by the so-called “coffee barons,” the wealthy owners of the grain plantations.
These “coffee barons” held not only economic power in Brazil but also wielded significant political power, contributing first to the Proclamation of the Republic and then strongly influencing and even determining the direction of future presidential elections in the country.
But the industry went through periods of highs and lows. It relied almost entirely on slave labor. Thus, after the abolition of slavery in 1888, the coffee production industry nearly collapsed. A solution to the labor shortage was soon found with government programs that encouraged European immigrants to work in Brazilian coffee fields.
Largest Exporter
Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world and controls over 30% of international production. The coffee harvest may reach 47.51 million 60 kg bags this year. If this figure is confirmed, the country will have accounted for 31.3% of global production. In 2016, Brazilian coffee exports totaled approximately $5.4 billion or 6.4% of Brazil’s total agribusiness exports for the year (of $84.9 billion). If this value is indeed reached, gross revenue from coffee will be around R$ 22.2 billion. The performance reflects partly the size of the coffee planted area in the country, which totaled 2.23 million hectares this year.
Investments in technology have also helped boost the harvest. “This result is mainly due to the recovery of productivity in the states of Bahia and Rondônia, as well as the more widespread use of technologies such as clonal coffee planting and large investments in crops,” said the National Supply Company (Conab) in a recently released statement.
The six Brazilian states with the largest coffee area are Minas Gerais (1.22 million hectares); Espírito Santo (433 thousand hectares); São Paulo (216 thousand hectares); Bahia (171 thousand hectares); Rondônia (95 thousand hectares); and Paraná (49 thousand hectares).
The main continents that imported Brazilian coffee last year: Europe, with 18.42 million bags; North America, with 7.60 million; Asia, with 5.95 million; and South America, with 1.17 million. Africa, Oceania, and Central America together accounted for the import of about 860 thousand bags of coffee from Brazil in 2016.
What You Need to Know
• Cafezinho vs Espresso: Do not confuse “cafezinho” with espresso, yes, both are small coffees, but they are made differently. If you want an espresso, ask for one.
• Coffee with milk: If you prefer milk in your coffee, ask for “café com leite.”
• Cappuccino: Most cafes and restaurants serve cappuccino as we expect a cappuccino. Some places, however, especially in big cities, add chocolate to the cappuccino, so you might have a little sweet surprise.
Curious Facts About Coffee:
1. Coffee is a fruit. In fact, it is a cherry.
2. Of all beverages consumed at breakfast, 65% contain coffee.
3. Coca-Cola is considered the best-selling product in the world. However, while 1.6 billion Coca-Colas are consumed every day, 1.7 billion coffees are also consumed.
4. Coffee is the second most sold primary product in the world, right after oil.
5. In the 18th century, excessive coffee drinking was considered a major social problem.
6. Men reveal they drink coffee for work benefits, while women say they drink it just to relax.
7. Coffee is more than just a drink. It can be used as fertilizer.
Source: Brazilgovnews.com.br, Brazilian Coffee Industry Association & Littlegate Publishing