Researchers from the Mato-Grossense Research, Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Empaer-MT) and Embrapa Rondônia are developing the project “Validation of Coffea canephora clones for the State of Mato Grosso”, with the aim of identifying the best clones for coffee cultivation in the State. The work is developed through the MT Produtivo Café Program, from the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture (Seaf). The agronomic and sensorial performances of 50 genotypes of Amazonian Robusta coffee trees have been evaluated since January 2021, in two Empaer-MT research units: at the Experimental and Production Field in Tangará da Serra and at the Regional Center for Research and Technology Transfer from Sinop. In the first commercial harvest, which took place in the last harvest 22/23, several variables were evaluated, such as productivity, uniformity of maturation, cycle and drink quality. The beverage quality analysis was carried out in a laboratory specialized in specialty coffees, made up of a structured network of evaluators accredited in the evaluation of Coffea canephora coffees. For this purpose, a partnership was signed with the Capixaba Institute of Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (INCAPER) of Espírito Santo, which carried out sensory analyzes of coffees harvested in Mato Grosso. In February this year, at the Specialty Coffee Center (CECAFES) located at the INCAPER Experimental Farm in Venda Nova do Imigrante, in Espirito Santo, the samples were subjected to beverage quality assessment by four Q-Grader professionals (evaluators accredited by Coffee Quality Institute), which provided a sensorial description of the drink from the 50 genotypes under evaluation. Embrapa Café researcher, member of the project executing team, Marcelo Curitiba Espíndola, highlighted that he was surprised. “During the evaluation, it was very interesting to see that the team was amazed by the diversity of flavors that the samples had. This shows that these clones have potential for beverage quality and that the climate in Mato Grosso can be favorable for the production of specialty coffees,” he said. The coordinator of CECAFES/INCAPER, Douglas Gonzaga de Sousa, stressed that tasting coffees from different terroirs is a rewarding and enriching experience for the professional. “During the sensory analysis we can perceive all the exuberance of Brazilian canephoras, the diversity of aromas and flavors in the cup and the familiarity and uniqueness of the profiles found in each coffee. As these coffees come from clones grown in different soil and climate conditions than coffees from Espírito Santo, it gave CECAFES tasters the opportunity to explore new experiences and origins in all their complexity, becoming an enriching experience for our professionals”, he said. The Embrapa researcher recalled that coffee is a crop related to family farming. “So, when we talk about planting coffees of the Coffea canephora species in the State of Mato Grosso, we are working with small farmers located in the north and northwest regions where the Amazon Forest is located”, he explained. According to Marcelo, “with the work it will be possible to identify those coffee clones with better potential for beverage quality and we will be able to recommend to coffee growers which coffees present this characteristic, especially considering Mato Grosso becoming not necessarily a large coffee producer, but perhaps a large producer of specialty coffees. In other words, producing coffee with differentiated quality to reach different markets and add value to this commodity”. “The experience at CECAFES was very interesting as it is an organized and well-coordinated center, with a technical and competent work team. In Mato Grosso we are still developing expertise in the production of specialty coffees. So it is a privilege to have the support of qualified technicians and tasters from Espírito Santo, which stands out as a coffee producing state”, she revealed. According to Danielle, the Empaer-MT research team developing the project is looking forward to the possibility of expanding the production of specialty coffees and hopes that the good results obtained will be motivating for producers already active in the coffee chain in Mato Grosso. “That they can benefit from the selection of technically recommended clones for the state’s conditions, opening ways for them to engage even more in improving the quality of the coffee produced.” Field Day For those interested in the results of the drink quality of the Amazon Robusta trees in Mato Grosso, the field day “Performance of Amazon Robusta coffee trees in the north of Mato Grosso: from planting to cup” will be held in May. The event will be at the Empaer-MT Regional Center for Research and Technology Transfer in Sinop, on the 3rd. On that occasion, preliminary results of the agronomic performance of the 50 clones under evaluation will be released and participants will be able to acquire knowledge and ask questions in lectures about various aspects of coffee farming, such as seedling production, crop implementation, production cost, drink quality, among others. Text: Maricelle Lima Vieira
Researchers from the Mato-Grossense Research, Assistance and Rural Extension Company (Empaer-MT) and Embrapa Rondônia are developing the project “Validation of Coffea canephora clones for the State of Mato Grosso”, with the aim of identifying the best clones for coffee cultivation in the State.
The work is developed through the MT Produtivo Café Program, from the State Secretariat for Family Agriculture (Seaf).
The agronomic and sensorial performances of 50 genotypes of Amazonian Robusta coffee trees have been evaluated since January 2021, in two Empaer-MT research units: at the Experimental and Production Field in Tangará da Serra and at the Regional Center for Research and Technology Transfer from Sinop.
In the first commercial harvest, which took place in the last harvest 22/23, several variables were evaluated, such as productivity, uniformity of maturation, cycle and drink quality. The beverage quality analysis was carried out in a laboratory specialized in specialty coffees, made up of a structured network of evaluators accredited in the evaluation of Coffea canephora coffees. For this purpose, a partnership was signed with the Capixaba Institute of Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (INCAPER) of Espírito Santo, which carried out sensory analyzes of coffees harvested in Mato Grosso.
In February this year, at the Specialty Coffee Center (CECAFES) located at the INCAPER Experimental Farm in Venda Nova do Imigrante, in Espirito Santo, the samples were subjected to beverage quality assessment by four Q-Grader professionals (evaluators accredited by Coffee Quality Institute), which provided a sensorial description of the drink from the 50 genotypes under evaluation.
Embrapa Café researcher, member of the project executing team, Marcelo Curitiba Espíndola, highlighted that he was surprised. “During the evaluation, it was very interesting to see that the team was amazed by the diversity of flavors that the samples had. This shows that these clones have potential for beverage quality and that the climate in Mato Grosso can be favorable for the production of specialty coffees,” he said.
The coordinator of CECAFES/INCAPER, Douglas Gonzaga de Sousa, stressed that tasting coffees from different terroirs is a rewarding and enriching experience for the professional. “During the sensory analysis we can perceive all the exuberance of Brazilian canephoras, the diversity of aromas and flavors in the cup and the familiarity and uniqueness of the profiles found in each coffee. As these coffees come from clones grown in different soil and climate conditions than coffees from Espírito Santo, it gave CECAFES tasters the opportunity to explore new experiences and origins in all their complexity, becoming an enriching experience for our professionals”, he said.
The Embrapa researcher recalled that coffee is a crop related to family farming. “So, when we talk about planting coffees of the Coffea canephora species in the State of Mato Grosso, we are working with small farmers located in the north and northwest regions where the Amazon Forest is located”, he explained.
According to Marcelo, “with the work it will be possible to identify those coffee clones with better potential for beverage quality and we will be able to recommend to coffee growers which coffees present this characteristic, especially considering that Mato Grosso will not necessarily become a large producer of coffee, but perhaps a large producer of specialty coffees. In other words, producing coffee with differentiated quality to reach different markets and add value to this commodity”.
The Empaer-MT researcher and member of the project executing team, Danielle Helena Müller, had the opportunity to participate in person in the sensory analyzes of Mato Grosso canephoras. “The experience at CECAFES was very interesting as it is an organized and well-coordinated center, with a technical and competent work team. In Mato Grosso we are still developing expertise in the production of specialty coffees. So it is a privilege to have the support of qualified technicians and tasters from Espírito Santo, which stands out as a coffee producing state”, she revealed.
According to Danielle, the Empaer-MT research team developing the project is looking forward to the possibility of expanding the production of specialty coffees and hopes that the good results obtained will be motivating for producers already active in the coffee chain in Mato Grosso. “That they can benefit from the selection of technically recommended clones for the state’s conditions, opening ways for them to engage even more in improving the quality of the coffee produced.”
Field Day
For those interested in the results of the drink quality of the Amazon Robusta trees in Mato Grosso, the field day “Performance of Amazon Robusta coffee trees in the north of Mato Grosso: from planting to cup” will be held in May.
The event will be at the Empaer-MT Regional Center for Research and Technology Transfer in Sinop, on the 3rd. On that occasion, preliminary results of the agronomic performance of the 50 clones under evaluation will be released and participants will be able to acquire knowledge and ask questions in lectures about various aspects of coffee farming, such as seedling production, crop implementation, production cost, drink quality, among others.
Text: Maricelle Lima Vieira
Tags: Research identifies coffee clones production Mato Grosso
