Description
Brazil Tres Meninas
Established in 2016 by fourth-generation coffee growers Marcelo and Paula Urtado, Tres Meninas Farm occupies 54 hectares in Brazil’s Cerrado Mineiro, a recognised Denomination of Origin. The couple chose their own land for its favourable topography, altitude and microclimate, creating a farm built around quality, traceability and a new generation of family coffee growing.
The farm grows Topazio, a 100% Arabica variety known for its full body, sweet notes, citric acidity and lingering aftertaste. Its name, meaning Three Girls, honours Paula, Malu and Fefe, the next generation of the Urtado family.
Innovation & Quality
Marcelo and Paula combine generations of experience with scientific research, investing in drying infrastructure, fermentation studies and improved irrigation. Working with the Federal University of Uberlândia, they have developed water-saving techniques to synchronise flowering and improve crop consistency.
Sustainability
Regenerative agriculture is central to the farm’s operations. Tres Meninas holds UTZ and Rainforest certifications and uses biological and organic fertilisers, manure, beneficial microorganisms and insects to support crop health. Herbicide use has been reduced by 50%, with the long-term goal of eliminating it entirely.
More than 3,000 trees have been planted, with further planting and cover crops planned to improve biodiversity, soil health and natural wind protection while reducing irrigation needs.
According to the farm’s records, Tres Meninas achieved a negative carbon balance in 2019, sequestering more than five tonnes of carbon per hectare. Imaflora data from 2020 also placed the farm among the top 5% of the world’s most sustainable coffee farms.
A Family Philosophy
For Marcelo and Paula, quality extends beyond the coffee itself. Their approach balances productivity, employee wellbeing, responsible farming and continued innovation, drawing on both scientific research and the coffee-growing traditions of Minas Gerais.
As Marcelo explains, the farm’s philosophy is built on caring for both the beans and the people involved in producing them, while continually improving quality and sustainability.
