Limeira – Brazil

About the Coffee

Fazenda Limeira is a farm in the Alta Mogiana region of northeastern São Paulo, run by David Ottoni Filho. Alta Mogiana sits near the border with Minas Gerais and sits at higher elevations than most of the surrounding São Paulo coffee country. That elevation difference shapes the climate, slows the cherry maturation, and gives the soil a distinct character that sets the region apart from Brazil's lower-altitude growing areas.

The farm grows three varieties: Red Catuaí, Mundo Novo, and Arara. Each brings something slightly different to the blend of altitude and terroir that Alta Mogiana is known for. Arara is a relatively newer Brazilian variety, a cross between Mundo Novo and Obatã, selected for its productivity and cup quality at altitude. Red Catuaí and Mundo Novo have been the backbone of Brazilian specialty coffee for decades and remain reliable at higher elevations where slower ripening builds more complexity in the cherry.

The coffee is processed naturally, meaning the whole cherry is dried with the fruit intact rather than being washed off before drying. This is the traditional method in Brazil and one reason Brazilian naturals tend toward heavier body and sweetness. Pilot recommends a 10-day rest after roasting before brewing, which allows the coffee to settle and the flavors to even out.

About Pilot

Andy Wilkin and Jessie Holmes opened Te Aro Roasted in May 2009 in Toronto's Leslieville neighbourhood, operating out of a former car garage. Andy, a Q Grader (a certification for professional coffee quality evaluation), built the concept around the cafes he knew from Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand. The name changed to Pilot Coffee Roasters in 2013 and roasting operations moved to a dedicated roastery at 50 Wagstaff Drive.

Pilot's sourcing is built around long-term relationships with producers rather than one-off purchases. They source, roast, and pack from their Toronto roastery, and those producer relationships are treated as ongoing partnerships rather than annual transactions.