Category: Green Beans > South America

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Colombian Nariņo del Abuelo

Sweet Maria's Coffee

The Nariņo del Abuelo originates with the same coffee as the large bean Reserva Del Patron that we have carried in the past. As the coffee is separated, the large 18+ screen coffee goes to the Reserva, and the 16-17 screen seeds, goes to the Narino Del Abuelo. I had heard rumors that the smaller seed preparation actually out-cupped the large bean Reserva due to the botanical variations of all the seeds in the coffee. There's a good case that can be made for variety of screen sizes, including peaberry. Just as a vintner blends grapes from different elevations and exposures within the vineyard, the varied seed sizes represent a wider spread of coffee in their physical and chemical qualities. Is it possible this draws out more dimension in the cup? From judging the Reserva vs. the Abuelo, I would say "yes!" As with the reserva it is "heart of the crop" coffee from selected Narino estates. This means that certain areas of certain top smallholder farms are harvested to comprise this coffee. It is a limited production, and the cup has great body and depth. Unfortunately, Starbucks buys so much coffee from the Narino region for their featured Narino offering, it has changed the way coffee is produced there, but luckily it has not changed the Narino del Abuelo! There is a modicum of acidity to balance out the deep, milk-chocolate flavors and a hint of aromatic woodiness. The aftertaste is moderately long, and the coffee can take a very wide variety of roasts that emphasize a different dimension of the cup: brighter and fruitier in the lighter City roast, mildly chocolatey at Full City, more pungent at Vienna.

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For more information on this product, visit Sweet Maria's Coffee's website.