Many locals view Nazareth Dias and José Isidro Periera as the matriarch and patriarch of coffee in Carmo de Minas. Married since 1949, they were among the pioneers of specialty coffee in Carmo and the larger Mantiqueira de Minas region. In those early years, the focus of many producers was of quantity over quality, but Sitio Santa Lucia stood out from the crowd, growing exquisite coffees before specialty coffee was a thing.

Together Nazareth and José raised four children, and numerous grandchildren, most of whom continue in their footsteps, growing delicious coffees, in and around Carmo de Minas. Glycia, one of Nazareth and José’s daughters, and Helcio, her husband, now manage Santa Lucia and have continued her parents pioneering spirit. In the 90s and early 2000s they were part of a group of producers that established Mantiqueira de Minas as a world-renowned region for specialty coffee. In 2020 Mantiqueira de Minas was awarded a Designation of Origin.

The Cocarive cooperative was established in 1961, with a mission to expose the world to the exquisite coffees from the Mantiqueira de Minas region. Each year, Cocarive holds a competition amongst its 600+ members. This coffee placed 2nd in the natural category.