The Legend of Coffee

Every cup of coffee tells a story, but do you know where that story truly begins? In the first episode of our "Coffee 101" series, Thurman from Measured sat down with our very own Head of Coffee, Clara Santaera, to trace the journey of the bean from its legendary origins to the specific farms we partner with today.

How It All Began

The history of coffee is steeped in legend, specifically the story of a goat herder named Kaldi in Ethiopia. As the story goes, Kaldi noticed his goats became unusually energetic and "jovial" after snacking on bright red cherries from a certain shrub. Intrigued by this "magical fruit," he brought it to a local monastery.

The monks, initially sceptical, cast the beans into a fire, unknowingly performing the world’s first coffee roast. The enticing aroma that wafted from the flames changed history forever, leading to the spread of coffee through Yemen, the Middle East, and eventually across the globe via the Roman Empire.

The Coffee Belt

Coffee does not just grow anywhere; it thrives in a specific subtropical region known as the Coffee Belt. This area spans roughly 23 degrees north and south of the equator, nestled between the Tropics of Capricorn and Cancer.

While coffee is grown in diverse locations like Central and Latin America, Africa, and Indonesia, each region imparts a unique "terroir" to the bean:

• Ethiopia: Celebrated for its delicate, floral notes.

• Colombia: Known for fruity and "funky" profiles.

• Brazil: The land of chocolatey, nutty, and caramel flavours.

Even here in Australia, coffee is grown in places like Byron Bay and the Daintree rainforest, though limited altitude and yields mean we still look to the world's most established regions for our primary sourcing.

Why Brazil? The GRADA Sourcing Philosophy

At GRADA, we have chosen to source our coffee from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil, specifically from Fazenda Piñal. This farm is run by Pedro Gabbaha, a sixth-generation coffee farmer whose family has perfected the craft over nearly two centuries.

We chose Brazil not just for its status as the world’s largest producer, but for the reliability of its flavour profile. When you think of a classic, comforting cup of coffee, full of chocolate and caramel, you are thinking of the traditional Brazilian profile. It is a flavour for everyone, whether you are a specialty coffee enthusiast or just looking for your morning ritual.

More Than a Transaction

For us, sourcing coffee is more than just an exchange of goods. It is built on mutual values and a shared ritual. Coffee is what gets us up in the morning and what connects us after a long Sunday lunch. Our partnership with farmers like Pedro is about connecting these stories and bringing that sense of global connection directly to your cup.

Ready to dive deeper into the world of coffee? Stay tuned for Episode 2!