Brazilië – Timbo

Brazilië – Timbo comes from southeastern Brazil, from a network of about twenty small-scale coffee farmers in the state of São Paulo. This collaboration is known as "Capricornio" and provides a stable supply with a consistent flavor profile each year. The coffee is 100% Arabica and is grown at an elevation of approximately 900–1,200 meters. The name Timbo refers to a fixed region blend (formerly Dulce called) that is known for its sweet, full character. By working with multiple farms, the same quality and flavor can be maintained each season, despite climate variations per farm.

The roastery has given this coffee a medium roast. This medium profile balances the natural sweetness and body of the Brazilian bean. Roasting at a moderate temperature and time brings out chocolate and caramel flavors without excessive bitterness. Thanks to local small-batch roasting (Dave roasts in small batches), the beans are fresh and retain their aroma optimally. The result is an approachable coffee with mild acidity and a round finish, suitable for various brewing methods.

Brazilië – Timbo is known for its sweet and creamy flavor profile. In the cup, there are clear notes of chocolate (think milk chocolate or cocoa) and caramel. Hints of brown sugar and nuts also appear, giving the coffee a dessert-like character. The body is full and round, with a thick mouthfeel that almost recalls honey. The aroma when grinding is pleasantly sweet, reminiscent of roasted nuts and toffee. All in all, it is a classic Brazilian taste: low in acidity, high in sweetness, and very well balanced.

This coffee is processed using the honeymethod (semi-washed process). In this method, the cherries are depulped after picking, but some of the sticky mucilage (the “honey”) remains on the bean during drying. The beans then dry slowly on patios or raised beds in the sun, allowing sugars from the fruit to absorb into the bean. This honey process gives the coffee extra sweetness and a slightly fuller body compared to fully washed coffee. The result is a bean with low acidity and lots of sweet flavors, ideal for lovers of gentle, rounded coffees. Careful processing in Brazil contributes to the consistent quality of the Timbo blend year after year.

Brazilië – Timbo consists of 100% Arabica coffee. The main variety in this blend is Catuai, a popular Arabica cultivar in Brazil. Catuai (a cross of Mundo Novo and Caturra) is known for high yield and a sweet flavor profile, which suits the desired chocolate notes of this coffee. Depending on the harvest, other local varieties may also contribute, such as Bourbon or Mundo Novo. Blending different Arabica varieties from the same region helps achieve a balanced flavor every year. Because this is Arabica, the beans are relatively low in caffeine and naturally smooth without harsh bitterness.

Dave’s Koffiebranderij places great value on fair trade and sustainability. The coffee is sourced directly via Capricornio Coffees and importer This Side Up, ensuring farmers receive a fair, above-market price for their beans. Initiator Luiz Saldanha (co-founder of Capricornio) supports affiliated farmers with agronomic advice: every 60 days an agronomist visits the farms to assist with sustainable cultivation and soil health. Some estates in this network have also achieved official certifications; for example, Fazenda California in Paraná was the first farm in that state with UTZ and Rainforest Alliance certification. Dave van Eif (the roaster) aims to “go beyond Fairtrade” , not just labels, but direct relationships and full transparency throughout the supply chain. Environmental care is part of the approach too, from reusing coffee grounds to offering reusable shipping packaging, all to reduce the ecological footprint.

This coffee is versatile and can be brewed in various ways. It truly shines as an espresso, thanks to its full body and low acidity you get a creamy ristretto or espresso with lots of sweetness. For a double espresso a dosing guideline of about 18 grams of coffee for ~36 grams of espresso is recommended, with a shot time around 25–30 seconds. Keep an eye on the water temperature, ideally around 92–94 °C and preferably not higher than 94 °C, to prevent bitterness. Timbo also performs well as a filter coffee, use for example a V60 or cafetière with a medium-coarse grind. Because of its sweet profile this coffee is forgiving, even in a French press or moka pot you get a pleasant cup without harsh bitters. Tip, let the coffee rest for about a week after roasting for the best balance of flavors, and grind preferably fresh right before brewing.

Brazilië – Timbo appeals to both connoisseurs and customers. On the website of Dave’s Koffiebranderij this coffee has received a customer rating of 5 out of 5 stars (maximum), which shows that drinkers are very satisfied. In the coffee industry the quality for a Brazilian coffee at this volume is considered strikingly high, another roaster calls the quality “superb” and regards this coffee as a fixture in the lineup. At origin the coffee also receives recognition, one of the partner farms in the Capricornio network (Fazenda California) was the first farm in Paraná to win the prestigious Cup of Excellence in 2010 and again in 2015. Although the Timbo blend itself is not a competition coffee, it benefits from the expertise of such award-winning farms. The combination of consistently high cupping scores and glowing feedback makes it clear that this is a reliable, high-quality specialty coffee.

Dave’s Koffiebranderij packs Brazilië – Timbo in high-quality, sustainable bags. The beans are available in 250 gram packages (ideal for tasting) and larger 1 kg bags for heavy users. The bags are equipped with an aroma valve to allow CO₂ to escape while preserving the freshly roasted aromas. They also have a resealable strip so the coffee stays fresh longer after opening. The label on the package clearly lists the origin (“Brazilië – Timbo”), the roast profile and often a short description of the tasting notes, so you immediately see what to expect. The design is simple and clean, in line with Dave’s focus on quality, think of a clean label with the Dave’s logo and information about bean variety, roast date and, if applicable, brewing advice. For online orders Dave’s also offers an option for a reusable shipping package (with a deposit), which fits their sustainable approach. Local customers can even bring their own coffee tin or jar to the shop to have it filled, or receive the coffee in recyclable packaging instead of disposable bags. This attention to packaging not only keeps the coffee fresh for longer, it also reduces waste and underscores the company’s ethical outlook.

Brazilië – Timbo is available year-round at Dave’s Koffiebranderij, because it is a fixed blend that is continuously replenished from the Capricornio partners. It is therefore not a seasonal micro-lot, but an evergreen coffee that customers can rely on for their daily cup. The coffee is generally sold in 250 g bags for around €9.00, and in better-value kilo bags for about €33–34. This makes the price per kilo attractively lower for those buying in bulk. Online orders from a certain amount are shipped free of charge (for example, Dave’s offers free shipping above €45). You can choose whole beans or ground coffee, depending on your brewing method, so the coffee is ready to use. Thanks to the stable relationship with the Brazilian suppliers the stock remains steady and the price fairly stable, despite fluctuations on the world market. In short, Brazilië – Timbo offers a lot of value in specialty coffee terms, with an accessible price for high, reliable quality.