Cerrado Mineiro

The Paraiso coffee varietal (also known as Paraiso MG2 or similar hybrids) is a relatively rare hybrid in Brazil, primarily cultivated on a limited number of innovative specialty farms rather than at commercial scale. Developed as a cross between a rust-resistant Timor Hybrid and Yellow Catuai, it represents a small fraction of Brazil’s overall Arabica production, which is dominated by more widespread varieties like Catuaí (over 50% of plantings), Mundo Novo, and Bourbon. Brazil produces around 66 million 60-kg bags of coffee annually, but Paraiso lots typically appear as micro-lots or experimental batches, often limited to just a few hectares per farm and celebrated in niche competitions like the Cup of Excellence.Key indicators of its rarity include:

• Limited cultivation: It’s grown by select producers focused on high-end, traceable specialty coffee, such as Eduardo and Roberta Soares (major nursery operators experimenting with cutting-edge cultivars), Gabriel Nunes at Chapadão Farm in Cerrado Mineiro, and the Um family at Fazenda Um Paraiso in Minas Gerais. These farms emphasize disease resistance and quality over volume, with Paraiso often comprising only a portion of their total output (e.g., alongside Catuaí or Mundo Novo).
• Market availability: Paraiso coffees are marketed as “uncommon,” “rare,” or “limited-stock” by roasters, frequently winning awards (e.g., 1st place at the 2024 Cup of Excellence for a Paraiso lot from Marcelo Assis, or used by 2023 World Barista Champion Boram Um from their family farm). They’re not staples in bulk exports but appear in small-batch releases from specialty importers.
• Regional focus: Concentrated in high-altitude areas like Minas Gerais (e.g., Cerrado Mineiro with Designation of Origin status) and Carmo do Paranaíba, where its adaptability to local climates is valued, but overall acreage remains minimal compared to Brazil’s 2.2 million hectares of coffee under cultivation.

In summary, while not on the brink of extinction, Paraiso is niche and experimental—likely under 1% of Brazil’s coffee plantings—prioritized by forward-thinking farmers for its potential in premium markets rather than mass production.