STiR coffee and tea magazine

52 STiR coffee and tea / Issue 3, 2018 (June / July) V By Kelly Stein Modern Milling An efficient farmscape with modern processing mill and reservoir Ipanema Coffees invested $10 million in technology at its new coffee processing mill on the Rio Verde Farm, Brazil The modern mill is contoured to conform to the surrounding land iewed from above, a giant shiny sci-fi metallic caterpillar contrasts with the peaceful deep green landscape of rural Mantiqueira de Minas. The silent hills and slow rhythm of the seasons were disturbed the past four years as restless engi- neers, scientists, contractors, and architects built a model of modern coffee science. Ipanema Agricola has been growing coffee since 1887 and at 4,230 hectares, with 70% of its land under 14 million coffee trees, its four farms make Ipanema the largest of Brazil's specialty coffee suppliers, producing 135,000 60-kilo bags per year. Washington Rodrigues, Ipanema Coffee's c.e.o, says that the experimental con- cepts in the new mill date to 2014 when the firm began seeking partnerships with sup- pliers offering high-tech, semi-automated machinery. The objective was clear from the beginning: ally expertise, know-how, technology, and a very innovative approach to improve coffee quality at lower operating costs. "The modern, efficient, and automated milling plant is capable of integrating dry and wet processes," says Rodrigues. For example, "the milling facility allows Ipanema to wash coffee in several different ways. Drying is accomplished in several modalities: patios, raised beds, polished concrete green house, or covered raised beds," he said. Each processing step was reviewed with an eye for introducing greater efficiency. The drying patio, for example, is on high ground and away from shade trees to improve aeration. To level the floor, 50,722 cubic meters of soil was removed and used to build a water reservoir with a capacity of 2 million liters. The 66,000 m 2 flooded area is visible in the photo above. Landscaping is respectful of the curves of nature, with soft and slightly rounded lines that mirror the surrounding mountains. The tall rounded shape of the mill reduces the visual impact on the surroundings and the edges of the surrounding patio are neatly contoured with perimeter roads for access.

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