An introduction to the background of small coffee producing areas in Brazil's Bahia Hilado and Bahia Plateau.

Bahia Hirado

Cerrado da Bahia is known for its large-scale, industrial and artificially irrigated coffee. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, it was part of a government-encouraged agricultural program that provided preferential credit and incentives that attracted about 600 farmers to move here. By 2006, 1.5 million hectares of land had been developed into agricultural land, but only a few were used for coffee cultivation. The stable, warm and sunny climate in this area helps to increase production, but it is also difficult to find high-quality coffee from this area.

■: 700-1000m above sea level

■ harvest period: may-September

Bahia Plateau

The Bahia Plateau (Planalto De Bahia) is mostly a small-scale coffee garden, and the cool climate and altitude contribute to the production of high-quality coffee.

■: 700-1300m above sea level

■ harvest period: may-September