Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon

The Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon from Brazuca Coffee is a remarkable single-origin coffee from Brazil that appeals to both coffee connoisseurs and curious tasters. This article explains everything about this coffee, from its origin on the farm to the cup. Each section offers insight into a different aspect so a complete picture is formed of what makes this coffee so unique. Enjoy the read!

These coffee beans come from Fazenda Santa Mônica in the Ibiraci region, Minas Gerais (Brazil). This area lies on the plateau of Alta Mogiana and, at approximately 1,260 meters elevation, offers excellent conditions for quality coffee. The farm is managed by Jean Vilhena Faleiros, a third-generation coffee farmer who applies modern techniques, including advanced fermentation. Thanks to the microclimate and careful attention on the plantation, the beans develop a pronounced sweet and fruity character. Each harvest of this microlot is hand-selected for Brazuca Coffee, which improves consistency and traceability.

Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon is roasted medium-light, a light-to-medium roast that preserves the delicate flavors. This roast is tuned for espresso and provides sufficient body without masking the fresh nuances. Brazuca Coffee roasts the beans artisanally in Amsterdam; as the only 100% Brazilian specialty roastery in Europe they know how to get the best out of Brazilian beans. The result is a balanced roast with a gentle sweetness and mild acidity. By not roasting too dark, the tropical fruit notes and floral aromas remain clearly present in the cup.

The flavor profile of Morning Sun is lively and complex, with pronounced notes of passion fruit and mango that give the coffee a tropical touch. Floral nuances, think a hint of blossom, provide a refined, aromatic scent during brewing. In addition, subtle hints of vanilla and citrus stand out, contributing to a sweet, fresh finish. Thanks to the special fermentation, the beans develop extra-ripe fruit flavors and a distinct honey-like sweetness. This combination of tropical fruit, floral notes and sweetness results in a layered tasting experience that lingers on the palate.

The processing of this coffee is anything but ordinary. It begins with a natural processing, where the beans undergo 60 hours of anaerobic fermentation. Freshly picked coffee cherries are placed in an airtight tank with special yeast so they can ferment for 60 hours without oxygen. This controlled fermentation extracts unique flavor compounds from the pulp and the bean, which later appear as the complex fruit and floral notes. After fermentation the beans are dried in stages on raised drying beds to about 16% residual moisture, after which they rest for around 25 days to stabilize the flavors. Finally the beans are further dried to around 11% moisture. This careful, phased drying ( 'intermittent drying' ) yields a stable, clean bean full of intense aroma.

Morning Sun is made from the Yellow Bourbonvariety, an Arabica type beloved for its sweetness and full body. Unlike the more common red Bourbon, this variety turns yellow when the cherries are ripe, a striking sight on the bushes. Yellow Bourbon was developed in Brazil and is known for rich, balanced flavours often with notes of chocolate and caramel. In this microlot, however, the special fermentation brings tropical fruit notes especially strongly to the fore, while the natural sweetness of Bourbon remains the foundation. As 100% Arabica, Yellow Bourbon has a refined acidity and a relatively low caffeine content, which contributes to the soft, pleasant taste experience of this coffee.

Sustainability and ethical sourcing are central to Brazuca Coffee. The company maintains direct relationships with coffee farmers and bridges the gap between Brazilian plantations and European coffee lovers. For Morning Sun this means the beans are traceable back to the farm and the farmer receives a fair price. Brazuca encourages environmentally friendly farming practices among its partners, with attention to water conservation, biodiversity and organic cultivation where possible. In its own operations Brazuca also strives to reduce its ecological footprint, for example through efficient logistics. Founder Tiago Gawlinski is also socially engaged, and from his Brazilian background supports projects (for example via UNICEF) to improve communities. This philosophy of care for people and the environment can be tasted, so to speak, in every sustainable sip of coffee.

This coffee is versatile and suitable for various brewing methods. Espresso lovers can expect an intense shot from this bean. A guideline is around 20 grams of coffee for a double espresso, good for approximately 40 ml, brewed with about 90 °C water in roughly 30 seconds, resulting in a nicely balanced and sweet espresso. To let the fruity and floral accents shine at their best, try a filter method. Manual pour-over methods (such as V60 or Chemex) with water of about 93 °C and a 1:16 ratio (coffee to water) bring out the nuances beautifully. Thanks to the light roast, the delicate flavours also remain intact in slow coffee methods. A French press, for example, can give a slightly fuller body while still retaining the characteristic notes. Feel free to experiment with grind and dose, this microlot responds sensitively to adjustments so every home barista can discover their ideal cup.

As a specialty coffee, Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon belongs to the higher quality class. Specialty coffees typically score 80+ points on the 100-point cupping scale, which guarantees complexity and clarity. Fazenda Santa Mônica has received recognition with similar Yellow Bourbon micro-lots in international competitions: in the Cup of Excellence Brazil 2019 farmer Jean Vilhena Faleiros finished in 26th place with a score of 87.34. This achievement underscores the excellent quality of the beans used in Morning Sun, since the Cup of Excellence is among the most prestigious coffee competitions in the world. Although Morning Sun itself has a limited run, connoisseurs speak very positively about the flavour. Local reviews praise the lively notes and balance, the coffee receives glowing ratings from enthusiasts. Brazuca Coffee therefore has a loyal following in the coffee community, thanks to the consistent quality and distinctive flavours it repeatedly delivers.

The Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon catches the eye with a colourful packaging design. The 250 gram bag is finished in a vibrant blue with bright yellow accents, a nod to the morning sun and the yellow-ripe Bourbon cherries. Prominently on the front is the Brazuca logo with the iconic blue macaw, immediately emphasising the Brazilian roots. The coffee name and the main tasting notes (passion fruit, vanilla, citrus, floral) are clearly printed on the label, so the expectation is clear at a glance. The packaging also lists details such as the variety (Yellow Bourbon), fermentation time (60 hours), process (natural anaerobic) and origin (Santa Mônica, Brazil). This transparency on the pack gives interested buyers immediate insight into what they are purchasing. The bag is furthermore equipped with a freshness valve and a resealable strip, so the coffee stays fresh for longer and the rich aromas are preserved.

Morning Sun Yellow Bourbon is available via Brazuca Coffee itself, both in the webshop and in their own cafés in the Netherlands. The coffee is offered in 250 gram bags (price around €16 to €17 per bag) and for bulk buyers also in 1 kg packages. Because it is a microlot, availability is limited, often the rule is while supplies last. per harvest season. Brazuca ships throughout Europe and orders within the Netherlands and Belgium usually arrive within two working days. For purchases from €50 shipping in the Netherlands, Belgium and some neighbouring countries is free, which is handy for anyone who wants to order several bags at once. For the hospitality sector and specialty stores Brazuca also supplies this coffee via selected wholesale channels, so coffee lovers in various places can enjoy this unique Brazilian bean.