Starbucks Middle East launched its latest black apron exclusive (BAE), Colombia Narino El Tambo, the 17th in this line of rare gourmet coffees.

The new coffee, which is being introduced across the region, has been selected by Starbucks because of its rich flavour and the environmentally-friendly way in which it is cultivated.

The Nariño El Tambo variety is grown in the rich volcanic soil outside of the town of El Tambo, near the upper slopes of Colombia’s Volcán Galeras.

Eighty percent of the coffee from El Tambo is shade-grown, which protects tropical forests, the habitat of migratory birds and other wildlife. El Tambo growers do not use chemical fertilisers, contributing to a healthy environment and clean ground water, a company official explained.

“Starbucks has long promoted environmental and social welfare in coffee-producing regions, maintaining a responsible and careful selection process,” said Antoun Abou Jaoude, marketing manager, Starbucks Middle East & Egypt.

“In addition to selecting coffees cultivated using environmentally friendly practices, we have established a community-development endowment of $15,000 wherever a BAE coffee is grown to help bring stability to the region and improve the livelihoods of area coffee farmers so they can continue to run their family farms,” he added.

Abou Jaoude said the education programs were in place to teach farmers proper water handling and sustainable growing practices.

'Price premiums are used to finance new wet mills, drying patios and water treatment systems, and also to modernize the kitchens and bathrooms on a farm-by-farm basis for more than 1,200 families who have contributed beans for this special coffee,” he noted.

Starbucks has worked with farmers in the Colombia Nariño region for more than 18 years to improve coffee production and sustainability. This year the harvest was exceptionally good, and the coffee was granted the coveted Black Apron status.

Colombia Nariño El Tambo is produced by small family farms, less than five acres in area, in rich, volcanic soil at 2,100 meters above sea level, which explains its juicy acidity, floral aromas and citrus complexity, he noted.

The coffee also has a distinctive chocolaty sweetness rarely found in the Nariño region, which is known for its signature nutty flavour. Complementary pairings include citrus fruits, herbal and savoury foods and chocolate.-TradeArabia News Service