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The latest news and views from the Bennetts team

Featuring the latest news on the coffee industry and business insight from senior members of the Bennetts team.

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THE BENNETTS MONTHLY April '21

All things Bennetts and Coffee...

Hello Autumn, 

The chaos of international shipping seen over the past 6 months has started to subside. For now, we are seeing pockets of localized disruption at certain origins with most of the issues being a lack of food grade containers.
We are continually working with our suppliers to try and mitigate the delays as best as possible, to ensure our shipments sail within their contracted period and keep our delicious coffees in stock for you.
 
 
MEET THE PRODUCERS

Special online event Wednesday 21st April 9am AEST – see below for link.

Bennetts have been exclusively supplying the Australian market with Ipanema Estate coffees since 2004. Our staple line of Ipanema coffees includes their Yellow Bourbon Natural, Gourmet, Dulce, Bossa Nova and Espresso blend. This exclusive partnership has flourished over the years and we are proud to showcase some of their highest scoring coffees: Premier Cru – Anime Verde.
Out of the 83 coffees from the Premier Cru selection this season, we have picked nine distinct lots of various process. The varietals, process and drying techniques for these nano lots were varied including tree dried for over 300 hours.
To find out more about these amazing coffees join us next week as we host an online Zoom event with the producers at Ipanema Coffee from Brazil, where you can discover more about Bennetts Premier Cru selection. Following the presentation there will be a short Q&A which will be the perfect chance to get really specific information from the producers about the coffees coming to Australia.
 
Ipanema Coffees
Some of Brazil’s highest peaks are in the the Mantiqueira Mountains (Crying Mountains in native extinct Tupi language). These mountains run through the state of Minas Gerais, which houses the largest single estate grower in Brazil and quite possibly worldwide.
As one of the most important employers in the South of Minas Gerais, Ipanema Coffees has more than 700 employees. During harvest season (May – September) the number of employees goes up to 2,000.
Ipanema Coffees has been a permanent participant at International Specialty coffee fairs and in 1991 was one of the 12 founders of the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA). Sustainability has always been part of Ipanema Coffees philosophy. The company is constantly aiming to improve both environmental and social programs and activities. In 2002, Ipanema Coffees was the first Brazilian company to be certified by EUREPGAP and UTZ. Further certifications include Rainforest Alliance, CSC, Fairtrade USA, C.A.F.E. and AAA Ecolaboration.
Established in 1969, the Ipanema Estate consists of three coffee producing farms (Fazenda Capoerinha, Fazenda Conquista and Fazenda Rio Verde) and one conservation biodiversity reserve.
 
Capoeirinha Farm
Capoerinha, the first of Ipanema Coffees three farms was purchased in 1969. Capoeirinha is a 2200 hectare farm where approximately 1300 hectare are designated for coffee-growing, 500 of which are used exclusively to produce Bourbon and the other 900 hectare are allocated for environmental preservation.
In addition to Yellow Bourbon, several other varieties are grown at the Capoeirinha farm including Acaia, Yellow Catuai, Yellow Topazio, Mundo Novo, Yellow Icatu and Catucai.

Conquista Farm
Conquista farm is located on a flat topography and features one of the world's most modern processing infrastructures, including warehouses and a complete container loading structure. Its high productivity is achieved by applying a mechanical system and using 1500 of its 2000 hectare to produce coffee, adopting a highly efficient and sustainable drip irrigation system.
Surrounded by the Furnas Lake, the farm is a place of exuberant flora and fauna set around the Guest House, the Head Office and the milling facilities.
The farm is located in a metamorphic rock region, covered mostly by clay soil that features a high water retention capacity, as well as being rich in decomposed minerals. Its mild subtropical climate is ideal for uniform bean maturation, with regular rainfall at around 1370mm per year and average temperatures of 25C.
Several coffee varieties are grown at the Conquista farm including Acaia, Yellow Catuai, Yellow Topazio, Red Rubi and Mundo Novo.

Rio Verde Farm
Rio Verde was founded in 1887 and is the oldest of the company's farms. It is a 1500 hectare farm that is located in the heart of the Mantiqueira de Minas Mountains which is a true natural sanctuary, where coffees are grown at elevations of up to 1300 meters above sea level and surrounded by virgin forests, waterfalls, springs and hiking trails.
Its clay soil is rich in decomposed minerals and full of nutrients due to its rich flora and fauna as well as water springs.
High elevations combined with mountainous topography creates a unique micro-climate with mild temperatures and rainfall average of 1600 mm a year which is ideal for growing Yellow Bourbon, Acaia, Yellow Catuai, Yellow Topazio, Mundo Novo, Yellow Icatu and Catucai.

Rio Verde – Premier Cru
After extensive research in conjunction with other coffee producing countries such as Colombia, Ipanema started experimenting with alternate harvesting, drying and washing techniques. Additionally, the wine, whisky and beer industries lent other processes that could be applied to their coffee production. This culminated in the 2016/2017 harvest where different patios (such as African drying beds and greenhouses), Colombian dryers, washers and coffee varieties were all tested to ensure the best possible quality product.
In 2018 this special collection was released under the Premier Cru brand. In 2018 this was the Grano Segreto collection, the debut of the Premier Cru. This time, the 2020/2021 crop has been named Anime Verde.

Join us next week via the Zoom link below to learn more about Ipanema Estate and their great range of coffees.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81101113905?pwd=WVVFU1Eybm1kNXpJdVJUM1JzYTlHQT09

Meeting ID: 811 0111 3905
Passcode: Premier_87

 Ipanema - Rio Verde Mill

 

A WORD FROM THE CUPPING ROOM

This week we have been cupping some new arrivals from Africa. Making a comeback on the Bennetts stock list this year we have three great coffees form Malawi and Zambia. Southern neighbors of Tanzania, these origins cup with similar characteristics and could be substituted in times of short supply.  On this note, our next Kenyan shipment is due next month, so if you need some heavy bodied Africans to get you through to until the new lots, consider using some Malawi!
 
RFA - Malawi Pamwamba Estate - AA Plus – a heavy bodied lot, cupping with notes of dried peach, chocolate, almonds and a rounded stone fruit acid.
Zambia PB Plus – this small 8 bag lot displays a tangy apricot acidity. Full coating mouthfeel carries notes of malt, tobacco, almond, walnut and dark chocolate.
Zambia SL28 PB -  Just 5 bags of this microlot available. Cupping with subtle apricot and grapefruit notes. A full smooth texture and bright stone fruit acid.
 
If you would like more information about these three coffees or the upcoming Ipanema presentation please get in touch with your Account Manager.

 Pamwamba drying tables 

 
 

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