Black Apron Exclusives #17 - Colombia Narino El Tambo
Grown on small family farms (fewer than five acres) in rich volcanic soil, this coffee comes from the municipality of El Tambo which is located near the upper slopes of Colombia's Volcan Galares. Cultivated at 6,890 feet (2100 metres), Colombia Narino El Tambo is some of the highest grown coffee we offer.
Eighty percent of the coffee from El Tambo is shade grown which protect tropical forests and preserves a healthy habitat for migratory birds. Though their farming process is not certified as organic, local growers cultivate their coffees using methods that are environmentally friendly and contribute to clean ground water.
Long troubled by a lagging economy, many people in the Narino region were forced to leave their family coffee farms in search of more lucrative work. But with an improvment in conditions and support from Starbucks and a local exporter, they're starting to return. For more than 18 years, Starbucks has been working with farmers in Colombia's Narino region to improve coffee production and sustainability. Much of the premium Starbucks pays is used to finance a farm-improvement program to help families upgrade their coffee quality and production, thus increasing incomes, as well as living standards.
What makes this coffee unique?
Before coffees grown in the Narino region of Colombia (where there are more than 35,000 coffee growers) are tasted, they are sorted by municipality to distinguish the inherent differences in flavour and quality. Colombia Narino El Tambo is juicy with intriguing floral notes and a citrus complexity. It also has remarkable chocolatey sweetness rarely found in Narino region coffees which are typically known for their signature nutty flavour.
Some suggestions for pairing with Colombia Narino El Tambo...
Taste Colombia Narino El Tambo with a range of complementary flavours to experience its full complexity:
- Walnuts accentuate El Tambo's buttery, smooth mouthfeel
- Chocolate (dark and semi-sweet) showcases El Tambo's cocoa-sweet finish
- Granola highlights El Tambo's spice characteristics
- Savour and salt flavours accentuate El Tambo's medium body