Written by Mark Wu:
Taste of Colombia started not as a quaint, South American style café perched on Bronte pier in west Oakville, but as a dream of it’s founder and head barista, Yury Wu, Colombian native from Medellin, when she created Fair Trade Colombia, it’s parent company. “It came out of a need to get vulnerable communities to export their products out of Colombia,” says Yury. So, in 2008, Yury created her business online (www.fairtradecolombia.com) with the hopes of giving the communities that need help most in Colombia, the means to bring their goods into the Canadian market.
“Taste of Colombia is a place where I can put all my passions together: Colombia, coffee, music, social justice, equality, all things organic and fair trade,” Yury explains.
Yury launched Fair Trade Colombia while working at home as a stay at home mom. Her husband was teaching full time, and she was raising her three children. It wasn’t until 2012 that Taste of Colombia, the ‘public face’ of Fair Trade Colombia, come into being.
Since February 2012, Taste of Colombia has been bringing its Fair Trade, Shade Grown, Organic, Bird Friendly Colombian and other specialty South and Central American coffees to Bronte. From Taste of Colombia’s blog (www.tasteofcolombia.ca): “I live in Bronte and I am thrilled you have opened your Colombian café. I was in Colombia last fall and I loved it!”
Yury wants her patrons to “Smell the coffee, hear the music, see the vibrant colours, see Colombian antiques and art pieces on display, and experience the friendly attitude of the Colombian people.” She says, “The snacks are baked with quinoa, using exotic Colombian fruits like guava, mango and passion fruit. My empanadas are a typical Colombian snack served with aji, a special sauce, and filled with beef and potato, made by Antojitos, the most famous Colombian bakery in Mississauga!”
But more importantly, Yury wants to create a café that can also make a difference.
“Fair Trade means we are guaranteed that the producers we use are paid fairly for their work. We celebrate World Fair Trade Day every year and are currently working with various councilors and other eco friendly groups in the town of Oakville to push the initiative to certify Oakville as a Fair Trade Town.’
Visit Yury and Taste of Colombia at 67 Bronte Rd, Unit #2 in Oakville
As Yury says, “Come in for a taste…a taste of Colombia!”
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The first Green & Fair Trade Coffee & Gift Shop in Oakville, Ontario (Canada)
Open since FEB 22, 2012
Shade Grown, Bird Friendly, Fair Trade & Organic Coffee and Organic Teas.
Wholesome Snacks (We are experimenting with our Quinoa)
Distributors of the only ready to eat instant Quinoa in Canada!
Fair Trade products made by vulnerable communities in Colombia( South America) imported by FAIR TRADE COLOMBIA our parent organization.
Free Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
Meeting space
Spanish Music
Kid’s Corner
Hub for environmentally concerned people in the city!
Our goal is to be as green as possible. Help us by sharing new green ideas and if implemented you get free coffee!
Free parking at all times in the front of the units or in the parking lot in the back!
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Felicitaciones! Patricia
Great Colombian Coffee & products
I really enjoy your coffee, it’s bold and tasty!
Thank you to our amazing client for their feedback, constructive criticism and recommendations on social media sites! It helps us improve everyday!
Do you a run a sit-down cafe? Wifi and outlets? We just moved from the Guelph area and are looking for a cozy cafe in Burlington/Oakville. So far, we haven’t found one!
Yes we do! Communal table, single tables, free wi=fi, clean and cozy with the best environment, come and check it out! Thank you for asking!
After our Taoist Tai Chi classes we often pay a visit to Taste of Colombia, and are always welcomed by the great coffee smell, the music and the smiles of the people behind the counter. We often stay much longer than it takes to have lunch, and have adopted it as our unofficial meeting place outside our practice space. What a gracious host!
I have visited many cafes and coffee shops in different towns…no coffee like Taste of Colombia! Coffee is excellent, muffins are savoury and light, and did I mention the music? Perfect chill ambiance!
Thank you Zelene for actually taking the time to write this nice review! Yury
I went to Taste of Columbia for the first time today and this was the best coffee I have ever had. The coffee was smooth, and had no after taste. I also loved the really casual atmosphere. The Barista and Owner was so friendly! I will be going back for sure!
Gracias!!!! We hope you will be back!
Thank you Muktha for such a kind review! Our hope is to make our clients feel as welcome as we can and to bring them the best organic – fair trade coffee available! Yury
Thank you!!!!Gracias for taking the time to write!!!!! Yury