Wanusa Rodrigues Santos: Nascentes Womens Group - Brazil - Natural

Producer Name: Wanusa Rodrigues Santos

Exporter/Importer: Sancoffee / Cafe Imports

Processing: Natural

Region: Campos das Vertentes, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Tasting notes: 

Karamell, Dunkle Schokolade, Pink Lady Apple

Jersey caramel, fruity dark chocolate, Pink Lady apple

We have been working with the Brazilian farmer-founded export group Sancoffee for five years now. We were delighted when one of their team, Ana Claudia, asked if we’d like to learn more about a new initiative founded by and for women coffee producers in Campos das Vertentes.

The group Nascentes was founded to celebrate the often-unheralded work that women do in all areas of the coffee industry. The first steps of the project involved several meetings with women in different producer association groups to better understand their challenges and what they needed to achieve more equitable outcomes in the industry. The name Nascentes comes from the Portuguese word for “spring”, “source”, or starting point. 

2022 was the first harvest that Nascentes officially produced coffee as a collective. They have marketed and exported this coffee with Sancoffee. They share knowledge through regular peer-to-peer workshops and receive trusted feedback on the coffees.

Wanusa is a founding member of Nascentes and has been working in the coffee industry her entire life. This particular coffee is a microlot from her farm and was our favourite of all the lots from Nascentes’ harvest last year. We are excited to be able to showcase it again this season. If you remember Vania Fernandes Lima's lot we just sold out of, you will notice the subtle differences in the flavour profile. 

Some words from Nascentes:

"Women united are as powerful as the confluence of waters!

Nascentes was born from the strength of women coffee growers in Campo das Vertentes. Inspired by the water springs that turn into rivers and create some of the greatest water basins in Brazil, these women have gathered in their diversity to better showcase their essential work within coffee.”