Here at Minas Espresso, we take pride in ensuring our entire process is done sustainably while maintaining the utmost quality—from the start of our coffee’s journey on a farm in Brazil, to its final destination in your morning mug. From growing to harvesting to processing, our farmers are personally involved every step until the beans are shipped to the United States. This personal attention to detail, which includes individually sorting every bean to remove any unripe or damaged fruit, is what makes Minas Espresso a specialty coffee producer and sets us apart from large coffee producers. Our dedication to sustainable agriculture on our farms is another key differentiator. So, when you’re enjoying your next cup of Minas Espresso, you’ll know you’re drinking quality coffee that was grown with you and the planet in mind every step of the way.
Sustainable agriculture is essential in order to not compromise the environment and the species of flora and fauna that rely on the environment to survive. At Minas Espresso, we take an array of precautions to ensure our farming practices are sustainable, so the ecosystems remain healthy and balanced for generations to come.
On our farm we maintain natural areas of land to promote biodiversity and give native plant, animal, and insect species a place to live and thrive. Natural water sources are preserved in these areas to provide animals a clean water source. Foraging areas encourage the respectful coexistence of native wildlife surrounding our crops. Preserving natural areas on our farm also includes protecting the natural habitats of bees and other pollinators.
Coffee trees are self-pollinating, but bees increase each tree’s potential yield, making it even more essential to preserve the natural habitat of the pollinators. We recently received our Bee Friendly Farm certification from the Pollinator Partnership, which is a non-profit organization that works with farmers to protect and promote sustainable agriculture and the health of our pollinators. To learn more about our Bee Friendly Farm certification, how our farming practices are protecting the pollinators, and what you can do to help the bees, check out our previous
blog post.
Another key focus of Minas Espresso’s sustainable agricultural practices is conserving water and minimizing air, water, and climate pollution. This is accomplished in part through applying Integrated Pest Management practices by reducing or completely eliminating the use of harmful chemicals. We also work to ensure the continued sustainability of our land. Rotating our crops helps maintain healthy soil and embrace diversity. Planting cover crops manages soil erosion, fertility, and quality. Our farmers always plant and harvest our crops by hand, instead of by machine. This helps to minimize air pollution caused by machine exhaust, possible soil erosion and compaction, and the need for a constant source of energy and fuel.