[PRACTICE] Fazenda Santa Rita Do Xicao

Carmen Lydia Junqueira Puliti Meirelles

13

The farm, which once belonged to Princess Isabela and was once a gold mine, was acquired by the Puliti family in 1960. Daisy and João Roberto Puliti cared for Fazenda Santa Rita do Xicão with much love and affection for more than 40 years and now the legacy flourishes in the hands of their daughter, Carmen Lydia. With great dedication, Lydinha preserves the essence and the familial values, while their granddaughter, Raquel, brings a new vision and contagious enthusiasm to management.
Together, these three generations are united on a passionate mission: to cultivate specialty coffees that reflect the dedication, tradition and soul of the family. Each bean picked is a celebration of the history and commitment to quality.
At the farm, mother and daughter, Carmen and Raquel, work side by side, uniting experience and innovation. This partnership is a demonstration of how the union of different generations can lead to excellence. Together they do not just run, but also transform the farm into a place of love, dedication and quality.
Raquel, at only 33 years of age, is the young force who leads the production of specialty coffees as the head of Café Varietal. Her passion and modern vision revitalize practices and connect with new market trends.
More than productivity, the objective is to produce quality coffees with a focus on sustainability.
Production starts well before the harvest, with preparation of the land according to the characteristics of the soil, elevation and climate of each region.
They grow resistant varieties adapted to each micro-climate. Also, they emphasize their commitment to the three essential pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental. The farm is Certifica Minas and Green Coffee certified.
This coffee is of the Geisha variety. The harvest was done selectively by hand. After picking, the coffee was washed, placed in fermentation barrels and left in a cool, dark place for 96 hours. After this fermentation period, it dried slowly on shaded African beds.