Tasting notes: Blackberry jam, rich
Process: Washed
Green supplier: Caravela
Varietales: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo
*Roasters favourite espresso
STORY
Matambo is a Colombian specialty coffee produced by a group of dedicated small scale coffee producers from Gigante, Huila. This municipality is in the western skirt of the eastern Cordillera of Colombia, providing unique microclimates to produce these fantastic coffees. The name Matambo originates from a famous myth: the love story between Mirthayú, the beautiful queen of the Michués, a native pre-Hispanic tribe, and her lover, the giant Matambo, the most valiant warrior in the region. Matambo was so strong and ferocious that he alone could fight an entire army, which he did many times to defend his own tribe from attacks. During his last battle, he lost trying to defend his right to be with the queen. The environmental o er of Gigante is paramount to produce coffee with its steep mountains, light conditions and water which allow for a slow ripening of the cherry, mainly in the highest farms. Another factor are the winds coming down from the mountains, vital for the drying. Agriculture represents 70% of the economy of Gigante, with cacao and coffee being the main crops. Matambo started in 2008 with five producers of Gigante who were selling and delivering coffee to the purchasing station in La Plata. Caravela, saw the potential of setting up a purchasing station in Gigante, and as such in 2009 it was established. With these five producers being the first ones of whom the coffee was bought directly in Gigante.
CONTRIBUTING PRODUCERS
The contributing producers of Matambo are seasoned coffee farmers who are second and even third generation. The knowledge they have about coffee has been passed from generation to generation. They are passionate and hardworking farmers always looking to improve quality and who are eager for knowledge. Some of them know how to cup coffee or have someone in the family who works in cupping, which makes it easier to understand their coffees and how to improve them. From 2009 until now, coffee producers have focused on planting new varieties such as Cenicafe 1, Gesha, Castillo, Pink Bourbon and Colombia. When the brand started, the most common variety was Caturra, but know a day we’re seeing more Colombia and Castillo, with some producers planting exotic varieties. They have also worked on improving there drying areas and some have invested on the improvement of their wet mill. With some producers have bought more land, but this hasn’t been as common. We’ve also seen an interest from the kids of the coffee producers who are at school in learning more about coffee. Regarding processes, the producers have been experimenting more with factors such as fermentation times and naturals.