Starbucks Colombia Nariño coffee beans stand out due to their exceptional growing conditions in the Andes Mountains. Here, they thrive at elevations of over 6,500 feet, benefitting more than 70 inches of annual rainfall, abundant sunshine, and fertile volcanic soil enriched with organic matter.
Wacaco Nanopresso is one of the century’s inventions that allows making espresso without an espresso machine.
In this article by Best Coffee at Home, we are bringing together Starbucks Colombia Nariño with the Wacaco Nespresso Barista Kit.
What is Starbucks Colombia Nariño?
Starbucks Colombia Nariño is a single-origin coffee sourced from the Nariño region in southeast Colombia, near the border with Ecuador.
This coffee is distinguished by its unique growing conditions in the Andes Mountain Range, where it benefits from high elevations exceeding 6,500 feet, more than 70 inches of rain per year, plenty of sunshine, and volcanic soil rich in organic material. These factors contribute to the slow development of coffee beans, allowing them to develop a distinct flavor profile.
Starbucks Colombia Nariño is celebrated for embodying the heart of Colombian coffee, as noted by Starbucks senior green coffee specialist Leslie Wolford.
What makes Nariño, Colombia, a unique region for coffee growing?
Nariño, Colombia, is unique for coffee growing due to its exceptional climate, with more than 70 inches of rain per year and plenty of sunshine. The region’s volcanic soil is rich in organic material, and its location in the Andes Mountain Range allows coffee to grow at elevations higher than 6,500 feet. This combination of factors contributes to the slow development of coffee beans, fostering a distinctive flavor profile.
What Does Starbucks Colombia Nariño Coffee Taste Like?
Starbucks Colombia Nariño coffee has a medium body and a bright, tangy taste. It also has hints of herbs and tastes a bit like walnuts. This makes the coffee easy to like for new drinkers and interesting for those who love coffee. The special growing area in Nariño helps give this coffee its unique flavor, showing the good quality and variety of tastes you can find in coffee from Colombia.
What is Wacaco Nanopresso?
Wacaco Nanopresso is a portable espresso maker that allows you to make espresso without needing an espresso machine. If you have a Nanopresso, you can make real espresso without electricity or batteries.
On the other hand, a pressure of 9 bars is typically required for an espresso shot. That means, for something to be considered espresso, it must be brewed with approximately 9 bars of pressure. Wacaco Nanopresso, however, has a pressure capacity that can reach up to 18 bars. So, with Wacaco, you can make a real espresso.
- Portable espresso maker for on-the-go coffee brewing
- Manual operation, no electricity or batteries needed
- Compact and lightweight, perfect for travel, camping, and hiking
- Utilizes a pressure system reaching up to 18 bars for espresso extraction
- Compatible with both ground coffee and Nespresso capsules
- Includes a built-in cup for immediate consumption
How does Wacaco Nanopresso work?
Wacaco Nanopresso operates through a manual, hand-pumped mechanism, eliminating the need for electricity or batteries. To use it, you fill its water tank with hot water and add finely ground coffee to the basket or insert a Nespresso capsule using the compatible adapter.
After assembling the Nanopresso, you manually pump the piston, which increases the internal pressure—capable of reaching up to 18 bars, well above the typical 9 bars required for authentic espresso extraction.
This pressure forces the hot water through the coffee grounds, resulting in a rich, flavorful espresso shot flowing into the built-in cup.
What is the difference between Nanopresso and Barista Kit?
| Nanopresso | Barista Kit | |
| Primary function | Single espresso | Double espresso / Lungo (with Nanopresso) |
| Components | Water tank, coffee basket, cup, and espresso extractor | Larger water tank, larger coffee basket, second filter head, and additional accessories for double shots |
| Coffee capacity | 8g | 8g or 16g (2 baskets) |
| Water tank capacity | 80ml | 120ml |
| Cup size | Small | Large |
| Tamper | No | Included |
| Portability | Excellent | Still portable but requires carrying additional components |
| Purpose | Making espresso on the go for solo enjoyment | Expanding brewing options for serving more espresso or stronger preferences |
How to make Espresso with Wacaco Nanopresso Barista Kit?
In this recipe, I used Starbucks Colombia Nariño coffee beans.
Quick Recipe: To make espresso with the Wacaco Nanopresso, grind 10 grams of coffee beans for espresso. Assemble the Nanopresso with the Barista Kit’s expanded water tank and the filled coffee basket. Add hot water to the tank, then manually pump the device. Keep pumping until you’ve achieved your desired espresso volume.
Ingredients
- 10g coffee beans
- Coffee grinder
- 5 oz hot water (150mL)
- Wacaco Nanopresso with Barista Kit
- Scale (optional)
- Thermometer (optional)
- Milk or coffee creamer (optional)
Step 1) Grind Your Beans
Grind 10 grams of coffee beans for espresso. Fill the Barista Kit’s larger coffee basket with the ground coffee.
Step 2) Tamping
Use the provided scoop for precise measurement and tamper for even tamping.
Step 3) Assemble Your Nanopresso with the Barista Kit
Assemble the Nanopresso with Barista Kit’s larger water tank and the coffee basket filled with grounds. Add hot water (5 oz) to Barista Kit’s water tank and assemble the device.
Step 4) Pump the Nanopresso manually
Unlock the piston from its travel position and begin manually pumping the device. The initial pumps will pre-infuse the grounds, allowing them to bloom for a richer flavor. Continue pumping to build up the pressure necessary for extraction, feeling the resistance as the espresso begins to extract.
Enjoy Your Espresso
Enjoy your espresso directly from the built-in cup or pour it into your favorite espresso cup.
Note: Nanopresso with the Barista Kit allows for a richer and fuller double espresso shot, or you can split it into two single shots if preferred.
Summary for Wacaco Espresso Recipe (Infographic)
Nanopresso Espresso Recipe
Equipment
- Wacaco Nanopresso
- Wacaco Barista Kit
- Coffee Grinder
- Scale optional
- Thermometer optional
Ingredients
- 10 g Coffee Beans fine, like finer salt
- 5 oz Hot Water
Instructions
- Grind 10 grams of coffee beans into a fine espresso grind.10 g Coffee Beans
- Fill the Barista Kit's larger coffee basket with your freshly ground coffee. Use the scoop for an accurate measure and the tamper to evenly press the grounds.
- Attach the larger water tank from the Barista Kit to your Nanopresso. Fill this tank with 5 ounces (about 150ml) of hot water. Then, put the device together, ensuring the coffee basket and water tank are securely in place.5 oz Hot Water
- With the Nanopresso assembled, unlock the piston and start pumping manually. The first few pumps will wet the grounds (pre-infusion), enhancing the coffee's flavor. Continue pumping until you've reached the desired amount of espresso.
- Once you've extracted your espresso, you can enjoy it straight from the built-in cup or pour it into another cup.
Notes
