New Crop of the Joao Marcos Espresso

Ah, the return of João Marcos espresso is upon us - a true delight for the espresso enthusiast. This beautiful Brazilian espresso is bursting with rich, chocolatey, malted goodness, hints of doce de leite (dulce de leche in Portuguese), and spice.

As many coffee aficionados know, Brazil is the largest coffee producing country in the world, supplying 40% of the global supply. It's no surprise, then, that Brazil's beans are the backbone of traditional Italian espresso. If you were to visit Italy and order an espresso, you can count on it consisting of Brazilian beans and for good reason. Brazilian coffee beans have a high sugar content providing massive sweetness, a thick body, and crema singular to their origin.

What sets João Marcos apart from other Brazilian coffee is the care and attention placed on their microlot, their love and passion for growing the best crops they can, and attending to the details of their process: These factors translate to each sip. João Marcos Botelho also contributes his time with quality control for Sancoffee Estate, a collective of Brazilian coffee growers located in Campo das Vertentes.

"It is gratifying for me to look back and see all that we have accomplished to date. I feel very fulfilled. I managed to raise my two children and offer them studying opportunities in a good university thanks to coffee. My dream is for my son Renato to follow this generational passion. I thank God every day for being who I am today and for partnerships that value people's quality of life. I am a very happy person”

~João Marcos Botelho

This is why it is so important for Andrea to honor the care this bean has received; he and Chelsea (Spella Roastery Manger) strive to roast it to perfection. They roast and cup each new batch and determine the new crop’s cupping notes. They have coaxed out its complexity and nuance, highlighting the care that went into growing it at Fazenda Santo Antônio, the Botelho farm named after Saint Anthony.

Previously, while describing this coffee, Tasha our former GM wrote:

“The rich and classic flavors of João’s coffee is reminiscent of our favorite moments while in Italy. It will instantly transport you to the streets of Rome, sipping espresso in a piazza as you enjoy the blend’s dark chocolate brownie, salted caramel, and cherry notes.” 

Andrea had the chance to visit Fazenda Santo Antônio and meet the Botelhos. He was struck by their reverence for family, community, and kindness that the region shared and that was so important to João himself.

“One of the greatest memories was when we were all having festivities together, dinner, drinks, partying all before and after the competition winner announcements; it was truly apparent that João is much loved by all that he works with, and that he feels the same about everyone.”

~Andrea Spella

This year’s João Marco’s espresso stands out among the very best since the first year in 2013. Super high quality, beautiful production, and the utmost care given to this particular lot. When you look closely at the beans you can see a lot of residual sugar left on them from the fruit–more than usual. João Marcos delivers a complex and satisfying flavor that will transport you to the vibrant, lush landscapes of Brazil. 

We recommend it as an espresso, first and foremost, then Moka pot, Melitta pour-over, and Aeropress. Brazilian coffees tend to get lost in long extraction methods like the French Press method which is great for chewiness and body but burnishes away the top notes.

You can pick up the João Marcos espresso online at our shop beginning January 16 for a limited time.