Introduction to the Characteristics of Colombian Narino Highlands and Coffee Grading System

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FrontStreet Coffee - Colombia Highlands Nariño, Coffee Grading System Sharing

Beyond its natural conditions for producing high-quality coffee, Nariño offers several distinct advantages.

First, low latitude: the region sits close to the equator at approximately 1 degree north latitude, guaranteeing abundant sunlight throughout the year.

Second, high altitude: the Andes begin in Chile and Argentina, enter Colombia through the Nariño province, and divide into three mountain ranges. Most coffee here grows at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,100 meters.

Third, fertile soil: the Galeras volcano has created fertile ground for the Nariño region, providing rich nutrients for coffee growth.

Fourth, abundant rainfall: Nariño's annual rainfall peaks from October each year through May of the following year, while the dry season covers June, July, and August. Even in the dry season, though, Nariño's coffee farms have little to worry about, because trade winds from the southern continent bring warm currents that meet the cool nights at high altitude, producing water vapor that tops up moisture for the coffee trees.

Because the Andes form canyons of varying sizes, those canyons provide very favorable microclimates for growing high-quality coffee. Steep mountains and narrow, steep slopes create temperature diversity. Warm, moist air rising from the canyons gathers in the lowlands during the day and climbs the slopes at night, protecting high-altitude coffee from frost. As a result, even highlands at 2,300 meters in Nariño can grow coffee successfully, and the quality of the coffee produced there is extremely high.

Grading System

Colombia's grading is relatively simple and is divided by bean size into Supremo (Special Selection) and Excelso (Premium Selection). For the Supremo grade, 80% of green beans must pass through a #17 sieve or larger. For Excelso, 80% of green beans must pass through a #14/16 sieve or larger, with a maximum allowance of about 11% of #14 sieve beans mixed in with the #16 sieve beans. The sieves mentioned above apply to flat beans; round beans (Pea Berry) have their own set of sieve standards, generally #8-12 sieves.

Colombia Highlands Nariño

Altitude: 1,600-1,800m

Varieties: Caturra, Catuai

Processing: Washed

Flavor: Citrus, nuts, blackcurrant, ripe cherry, cocoa.

Knowledge Bonus: Countries close to the equator generally grow coffee at relatively high altitudes, so they do not grade by altitude level.

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FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Colombia is remarkably versatile as an origin: it works in an espresso blend and as a single-origin pour-over, and it can be fruity, full-bodied, or aroma-driven, so it suits a wide range of drinkers. If the high-grown, washed profile of Nariño appeals to you, FrontStreet Coffee's washed Huila brings you the same country through its most famous specialty province, roasted medium-dark to emphasize black chocolate, sweet nut aromas, a moderate oiliness, and a rich body. It is comfortable in a pour-over or a French press, and it also extracts well in a moka pot or on an espresso machine for an Americano or a latte.

For a more experimental take, FrontStreet Coffee's Frontera Estate Sidra is processed as an anaerobic natural: fermenting without oxygen converts far more of the fruit into tropical aromatics, so a medium-light roast shows a complex, intense cup of passion fruit, grape, apricot, and candied fruit across a pour-over, a cold brew, a drip bag, or a moka pot. And if you have a home espresso machine or a moka pot, baristas strongly recommend the FrontStreet signature blend, a blend built for cafe use that combines Brazil's creamy nut sweetness with Colombia's dark chocolate bittersweetness and pulls a fine golden crema, making a rich, smooth latte that is very friendly to beginners and works as the base for an Americano, cappuccino, or mocha.