Coffee is much more than just a drink; it is an integral part of Brazil’s history, culture and identity. Here are four interesting facts that reveal the deep relationship between coffee and various aspects of Brazilian society.
1- Construction of the Official Coffee Exchange: the Center of the Coffee Trade
The Santos Official Coffee and Commodities Exchange, which today houses the renowned National Coffee Museum, played a crucial role in the Brazilian coffee trade. Authorized to operate in 1917 by the state government, it centralized commercial operations, business registration and even offered coffee grading services. The Stock Exchange Palace, inaugurated in 1922 as part of the celebrations for the centenary of Brazil’s independence, symbolized modernity and the importance of coffee in the national identity, highlighting the role of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro in this scenario.
2 – Port of Santos: Brazilian Coffee’s Gateway to the World
The strategic choice of Santos as the headquarters of the Coffee Exchange was no accident. The city contains the Port of Santos, which has become Brazil’s main coffee export point. Its privileged location, between the coffee plantations of the countryside and the urban centers, has made it the epicenter of the country’s coffee exports. Since the 19th century, the Port of Santos has been vital to the success of the Brazilian coffee industry, consolidating the country as a world leader in coffee exports.
3 – The role of coffee in the migratory movement
Coffee growing played a significant role in the migratory movement to Brazil, especially in the 19th century. The rise of the coffee plantations not only attracted a large number of immigrants in search of better living and working opportunities, but also triggered a profound transformation in several aspects of Brazilian society. This gathering of foreign workers contributed to significant changes in Brazil’s economic, social, political and cultural history, leaving a legacy that lasts beyond the coffee sector.
4 – Coffee and Brazilian Art
Coffee also left its mark on Brazilian art, inspiring renowned artists such as Tarsila do Amaral and Candido Portinari. Tarsila was descended from a family of coffee farmers and grew up in the midst of coffee production, while Portinari, the son of Italian immigrants, painted social and labor themes related to the coffee industry in some of his works, which reflect the complexities of Brazilian society in the context of the coffee economy of the time.
These facts illustrate how coffee is deeply intertwined with Brazil’s history, economy and culture, leaving an everlasting mark that endures to this day.
Ref: Perfect Daily Grind, Museu do Café and internal fonts.
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