Brazil - Cerrado - Yellow Beetle - Pulped Natural - by Sail

We source this coffee in Cerrado Mineiro from the Grossi family. The story begins in 1879, when José Carlos’s grandfather, Antônio Grossi, left the Veneto region in Italy to work on coffee plantations in the state of São Paulo. In 1950, his son Matheus Grossi invested in a small coffee farm in the northwest of Paraná. Born in Garça, in the countryside of São Paulo state, José Carlos spent part of his childhood helping his father on the farm, before joining the ESALQ / USP agriculture school in 1966 to deepen his knowledge of coffee growing.

In 1972, José Carlos left his family’s fields in Paraná to establish his first coffee plantation in the then little-known Cerrado Mineiro region. At that time, he sold his yellow Beetle, which helped him finance the purchase of his farm — a gesture that gave this coffee its name: Yellow Beetle.

Over the years, José Carlos implemented vertical integration to gain greater control over the quality and traceability of the coffees produced. The group also developed experimental plots from 1994 onwards and obtained UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certifications starting in 2005.

Yellow Beetle is a pulped natural (honey) lot made from Red Catuai and Mundo Novo, grown in Cerrado Mineiro. This process highlights the natural sweetness of the cherries while keeping the cup lively and bright.

In the cup, expect notes of rapadura, caramel, brown sugar, and honey, with bright acidity, a light and creamy body, and a smooth, harmonious finish.

This coffee crosses the Atlantic by sail, continuing José Carlos’s commitment to more responsible agriculture and logistics, from Cerrado all the way to roasters.

The history of the Grossi family is deeply tied to that of coffee in Brazil. It all began in 1879, when Antônio Grossi, José Carlos's grandfather, left the Veneto region of Italy to work on the coffee plantations in the state of São Paulo. A few decades later, in 1950, his son Matheus Grossi continued this trajectory by investing in a small coffee plantation in northwestern Paraná.

Born in Garça, São Paulo state, José Carlos Grossi grew up to the rhythm of the family farm. Whenever he could, he accompanied his father into the fields, developing a close relationship with the land and coffee farming. In 1966, he enrolled at the ESALQ / USP agricultural school to deepen his agronomic knowledge and make coffee his profession.

In 1972, José Carlos left the family farm in Paraná to embark on his own adventure in the Cerrado Mineiro, a region still largely unknown for coffee cultivation at that time. With $10,000 in savings and remarkable determination, he founded his first plantation and laid the groundwork for what would become JC Grossi & Filhos.

During this period, he also sold his yellow Beetle to help finance his project. This episode left a lasting mark on the family history and would later inspire the name of one of their iconic coffees: Yellow Beetle.

In 1991, after nearly twenty years of hard work, José Carlos's efforts began to bear fruit. Driven by a desire to ensure consistent quality, he gradually implemented a vertical integration strategy across all operations, from coffee production to processing. This organization allowed him to strengthen quality control, improve product traceability, and gain greater control over every stage of production.

A visionary, José Carlos took this approach further by setting up experimental plots as early as 1994 to study and adapt coffee farming to the conditions of the Cerrado Mineiro. Over the years, the family also carried out extensive agronomic work to improve the naturally highly acidic soils and create favorable conditions for coffee cultivation. Crop rotation, on-site cattle compost production, and the utilization of local resources are now integral to this approach.

The farm subsequently achieved UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certifications starting in 2005, reflecting a long-term commitment to more responsible agricultural practices.

Today, the Grossi family produces natural, honey, and washed coffees, renowned for their sweetness, consistency, and clean cup. They continue to evolve their agronomic and environmental practices, particularly through soil management and on-site compost production, as well as exporting select coffees by sailboat, in line with their vision of a sustainable, forward-looking coffee industry.