Delta Coffee, the largest Portuguese coffee producer, made history with the launch of the first Portuguese coffee entirely produced in the Azores.
The archipelago is known for its “very favorable conditions” that yield “extremely high-quality” coffee, as stated by the company’s CEO, Rui Miguel Nabeiro.
He proudly referred to this achievement as “Impossible Coffee,” highlighting that Europe, despite being a significant consumer, traditionally lacked the climate and terrain for coffee cultivation until now.
Nabeiro expressed his enthusiasm during the launch event in Lisbon, emphasizing that Delta’s journey to produce coffee in Portugal began in 2018 when the company joined International Coffee Partners.
After discovering small coffee producers in the Azores, Delta conducted extensive studies to identify the most suitable coffee species for the region’s climate. This effort culminated in the production of 100% Portuguese coffee, specifically Arabica, thanks to the Azores’ humid climate, constant rainfall, mild temperatures, and volcanic soil, which provide ideal conditions for at least six coffee species.
At the launch ceremony, José Manuel Bolieiro, the head of the Government of the Azores, lauded Delta as the “ideal partner” for increasing coffee production in the region. He emphasized the importance of focusing on “excellence” and “added value” over quantity production, envisioning a future where Portugal becomes a country known for coffee production excellence.
Although the current production volume may not be significant, Delta’s CEO emphasized the specialty and exceptional quality of Azorean coffee. He stressed the uniqueness of its flavor and assured consumers that while quantities might be limited, the quality would be outstanding.
Delta Coffee is indeed one of the largest coffee producers in Portugal. It was founded in 1961 by Rui Nabeiro in Campo Maior, a town in the Alentejo region of Portugal. The company has since grown to become one of the leading coffee brands in Portugal and is known for its high-quality coffee products.
Delta Coffee is involved in various aspects of the coffee business, including coffee cultivation, processing, and distribution. The company is renowned for its dedication to producing excellent coffee and has a wide range of products, including different blends, roasts, and coffee-related accessories. This groundbreaking initiative represents not just the end of a successful project but the beginning of a new era for coffee production in the Azores.
PAJ/Staff
The Azores (population 250,000) is a region of Portugal composed of nine islands. The archipelago discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976. The government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores includes the Legislative Assembly, composed of 57 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for the Regional Government executive operations. The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented in the Council of Ministers of the Central Government by a representative appointed by the President of Portugal. According to the latest US census over 1.3 million individuals of Portuguese descent live in the United States, the majority with roots in the Azores. It is estimated that over 20,000 US citizens live in Portugal.
