Benidio Blanck #00125

The Blancks are descendants of Pomeranian immigrants who settled in Espírito Santo over 150 years ago—and whose language, customs, and sense of community still shape daily life in Itarana. At Sítio Christer, these traditions meet a new generation’s commitment to quality coffee production.

Benídio Blanck began working with coffee in the early 2000s, when specialty coffee started gaining attention in the region. At the time, coffee was seen not only as a crop but also as currency. “Quem tem café, tem crédito”—those who had coffee, had access to credit. Even without cash in hand, producers could trade and sustain their lives through the strength of their harvest.

In 2022, after placing in the top ten of a major municipal competition, the family re-evaluated their approach. They began investing in post-harvest infrastructure and shifted their focus to specialty production. Today, their coffees are washed and carefully processed, with attention to detail at every stage.