Brazilië Samba Reserve

Badeta Koffiebranders presents the Brazilië Samba Reserve a specialty coffee bean that immediately appeals to enthusiasts. This single-origin from Brazil is packed with creamy chocolate and caramel flavors, complemented by a subtle spiciness. Below, you'll find everything about the origin, flavor, roasting, and more of this remarkable coffee.

The coffee beans for Samba Reserve come from small family farms in the Carmo de Minas region in southern Minas Gerais, Brazil. The area sits at an altitude of roughly 1,000–1,300 meters, an ideal climate for high-quality coffee cultivation. Rather than a single estate, the lot is a selection from several smallholder farms, this collective approach contributes to a versatile and consistent flavor profile. The fertile, reddish loam soils and generous rainfall (about 1,600–2,000 mm per year) in Carmo de Minas foster healthy coffee trees and abundant harvests. As a result, the region is renowned for coffees of consistent quality and balanced taste.

Badeta roasts Samba Reserve to a medium to medium-dark level, resulting in a silky body with layers of caramel and creamy milk chocolate, plus a hint of warming spice in the finish. This balanced roast highlights the bean’s natural sweetness without developing bitter notes. The profile is tailored for espresso, so the beans shine in cappuccinos and other milk drinks, yet remain approachable enough to enjoy as a straight 'black cup' with full, smooth tones. Whether you use a super-automatic or a manual espresso machine, this roast makes the beans forgiving and pleasant for everyday brewing.

Once in the cup, you immediately taste rich chocolate and caramel notes in the foreground. Alongside this sweet foundation are subtle accents of brown spices (think a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg) that add extra depth. Some tasters also detect a touch of fruitiness, for example stewed pear, hidden beneath the dominant chocolate tones. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is sweet and inviting, reminiscent of caramel with a gentle spiciness. Altogether, Samba Reserve is an approachable yet characterful coffee in which every sip reveals new nuances.

Brazilië Samba Reserve is processed naturally (unwashed). Only perfectly ripe cherries are hand-picked and dried for about three days in the Brazilian sun on farm patios. The beans are then finished in mechanical driers so the last bit of moisture evaporates evenly, preserving the coffee’s innate sweetness and depth. This natural method uses no water, making it more eco-friendly than washed processing. It also produces a bean with a full body and intense, sweet undertones, traits that clearly shine through in Samba Reserve.

Samba Reserve is made entirely from high-quality Arabica coffee. It is a mix of several Arabica varieties, all grown in the Carmo de Minas area. Typical cultivars in this part of Brazil include Bourbon, Catuai and Mundo Novo, each influencing flavor in its own way, and here they are blended as a single-origin lot. Combining multiple varieties creates a balanced profile where sweetness, body and aroma are finely aligned. As is standard for specialty coffee, no Robusta beans are used; this contributes to a refined taste with no harsh or bitter undertones.

Badeta attaches great importance to sustainability and fair trade in coffee. The company’s mission is to let everyone enjoy “responsible, distinctive and high-quality delicious coffee”, which means caring for both people and planet during production. For Samba Reserve Badeta partners with companies like Cofinet, which maintains direct contact with the Brazilian farmers, this guarantees traceability and ensures producers receive a fair price. Because this coffee comes from a collective of smallholders, every purchase directly supports the community of families in Carmo de Minas. The coffee’s natural processing method is also water-saving and environmentally friendly. Finally, Badeta packs its beans in resealable bags with a freshness valve, keeping the coffee fresh for longer and reducing waste.

Samba Reserve shines most in espresso preparations. For optimal results, pull a classic espresso shot with this bean or use it as the base for milk drinks such as cappuccino and latte, the rich flavor pairs beautifully with creamy milk. Thanks to its low acidity and full body, this Brazilian coffee also performs excellently in a super-automatic machine or moka pot, delivering a robust, consistent cup. If you want a filter coffee with extra punch, try Samba Reserve in a French press or drip brewer, you’ll get a slightly heavier, more chocolate-forward mug. Tip: grind the beans just before brewing and experiment with the ratio to tailor the brew method to your taste.

Brazilië Samba Reserve may not have a shelf full of major international awards, but it scores highly among connoisseurs. With a cupping score of about 83 points (on the Specialty Coffee Association scale) this coffee comfortably meets the specialty-coffee threshold. In everyday use it is a favorite among Badeta’s customers thanks to the consistent quality and flavor it delivers time after time. Coffee blogs and tasters praise Samba Reserve for its reliable, classic flavor profile, sometimes people simply say something is just good. Although no specific awards are known, the coffee’s popularity speaks for itself.

Badeta packages Samba Reserve in a functional yet stylish bag. The coffee is available in both 250-gram and 1-kilogram formats, giving home users and heavy drinkers an appropriate option. The bags are airtight, resealable and fitted with a one-way valve that releases CO₂ ₂ while preventing air from entering, keeping the beans fresher and more aromatic for longer. The label clearly lists all key details, from origin and variety to tasting notes and roast date, so you know exactly what you are buying. The sturdy, opaque material also shields the beans from light and moisture, which further extends shelf life and preserves quality.

Brazilië Samba Reserve is easy to obtain through Badeta’s own channels. The coffee is part of Badeta’s permanent “Classics” range and is usually well in stock. You can order the beans directly in the Badeta webshop; 250 grams costs about €8.55 and a one-kilogram bag roughly €32.55. Subscribers receive a nice discount, the price drops to around €7.70 per 250 g with monthly delivery. The bean is also regularly available to sample and buy in Badeta coffee bars, such as the Amsterdam branch. Online orders over €30 are shipped free within the Netherlands, meaning a kilo pack of Samba Reserve is delivered to your door at no shipping cost.