The FirstPortuguese Coffee

Film (11:50)

More than coffee, a story of passion and perseverance.

Although coffee has been part of European culture for centuries, growing it here was long considered impossible. Climate and geography made sustainable coffee cultivation seem out of reach.

In the Azores, coffee cultivation began in the 19th century, when a Brazilian military officer introduced the first coffee plants to São Miguel. Production eventually disappeared, leaving only a handful of isolated trees. Today, however, coffee is making a remarkable return, driven by families who believe in its future.

Meet the Producers

Behind every cup are the families who believed in the impossible. Their dedication keeps the bond between coffee and the Azorean soil alive, bridging tradition and the future.

  • Pedro & Dina Pimentel

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    São Miguel Island

    Inspired by the memory of Dina’s father, the family planted their coffee estate on the slopes of the Volcano.

  • José and Filomena Ferreira

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    Terceira Island

    What began 26 years ago is now home to 1,500 coffee plants, producing Portugal’s first coffee for the world to enjoy.

  • Jorge Martins

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    São Miguel Island

    With a background in agronomy, Jorge helped transform an old Azorean curiosity into a crop with a future.

A goal for the Azores

Building a Legacy,One harvest at a time

  • 2019
  • 2020
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024
  • Inspection of the berry and flora
    Inspection of the berry and flora
    2019The starting point

    This year marked the birth of a vision: to turn Azorean coffee into a structured agricultural reality. Delta Cafés, in partnership with the Associação de Produtores Açorianos de Café (APAC) and the Regional Government of the Azores, began an exhaustive technical survey of coffee cultivation in the archipelago. The goal was clear: to understand the potential of the territory and to lay the foundations for a pioneering project in Europe.

  • Manuel dos Santos Nabeiro
    2020Training and knowledge

    With the support of International Coffee Partners (ICP), training and capacity-building programmes were developed with Azorean coffee growers. The focus was on sharing good agricultural practices, from planting to harvesting and milling, and on identifying which coffee varieties are best suited to the archipelago’s unique volcanic soil, humidity, and altitude conditions.

  • Manuel dos Santos Nabeiro
    2022Scientific confirmation

    After years of study and experimentation, a detailed report was delivered to the Regional Government of the Azores, confirming what was already believed: the Azores have ideal conditions for coffee production. This official document became a milestone, validating the project and positioning the region as a candidate to become the first certified coffee origin in Europe.

  • Manuel dos Santos Nabeiro
    2023The future begins to grow

    The year was marked by the consolidation of the project, with new plantations on different islands and public sessions on coffee culture on Terceira and São Miguel, which brought together producers, technicians, and international specialists.

  • Manuel dos Santos Nabeiro
    2024The impossible reaches the cup

    A historic moment arrives: Delta Cafés launches Lote Açores, the first 100% Portuguese coffee, in a limited edition at Delta The Coffee House Experience stores in Lisbon and Porto. More than a product, this launch fulfils a collective dream built by producers, families, researchers and partners who believed in the impossible.

We’ve always dreamed bigger. By the time we reached 100 trees, we were already thinking about 400.Image

Transcript of the Documentary “The Impossible Coffee - Açores”

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José Ferreira

Coffee Producer

Today, José and Filomena care for more than 1,500 coffee trees, and their ambition continues to grow.

Today, José and Filomena care for more than 1,500 coffee trees, and their ambition continues to grow.

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The only coffee produced in Europe

Proudly 100% Portuguese

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The only coffee produced in Europe

Proudly 100% Portuguese

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Behind the project there is a network of producers, researchers, and partners who make each step possible. These figures show the scale of the work already carried out.

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160

Employees

Total number of people who supported the production and the knowledge.

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11

Institutions

From inspection to planting and management.

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6

New varieties

Local café that is under development and study.

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1.2k

Working hours

Working hours in the field and in knowledge production.

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80

Supported producers

Through training activities and workshops.

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5

Technical missions

Trips to the Azores.

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Coffee Cycle

OriginsRoastBlendConsumption

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