SAO PAULO – TAM Airlines has just concluded the process of selecting the new coffee that will be served to passengers on international flights beginning in December 2013. The airline will begin offering a special coffee blend developed by Brazilian Suplicy Cafés Especiais, which has been in the coffee business since the 19th century.
The blend approved by TAM will be available in Economy, Business and First Class on international flights from the United States, Mexico and Europe to South America.
“Coffee is a part of everyday life in Brazil. But more than just serving a typical beverage from our country especially selected for our passengers, we are offering a taste of Brazilian culture and reminding all TAM clients just how welcome they are onboard,” said Jerome Cadier, Vice President of Marketing at LATAM Airlines Group.
To select the new blend, TAM consulted Isabela Raposeiras, a barista and master roaster known in Brazil and abroad and owner of Coffee Lab in São Paulo. Given the task of evaluating the premium options available in the market, Raposeiras conducted research using visual, taste and aroma evaluations, as well as preparations using various proportions of beans.
“The coffee we selected is outstanding not just for its very high quality, but also for its sweetness and absolute lack of bitterness,” explained the specialist.
The new coffee will be brewed from premium 100% Coffea arabica beans (a coffee species with intense aroma and excellent quality) grown in Southeastern Brazil on farms located in Cerrado Mineiro and the Southern
Minas Gerais region, as well as on farms in Alta Mogiana, a traditional coffee growing region in Northeastern São Paulo state.
“We conducted various tests of high quality beans to achieve this blend. Our goal is to provide TAM passengers with the opportunity to drink superb quality Brazilian coffee,” said Marco Suplicy, CEO of Suplicy Cafés Especiais.
Passengers traveling within South America can enjoy the new coffee with banana muffins, tapioca and manioc cakes or croissants. On international flights from the United States, Mexico and Europe to South America, the special blend will accompany all in-flight meals and breakfast.
The new coffee will gradually be made available on TAM’s entire international network, which averages 87 flights daily, as well as in the airline’s three VIP lounges in Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo. To serve the new blend, TAM also developed special cups branded with the logo of its new partner, Suplicy Cafés.
About LATAM Airlines Group S.A.
LATAM Airlines Group S.A. is the new name given to LAN Airlines S.A. as a result of its association with TAM S.A. LATAM Airlines Group S.A. now includes LAN Airlines and its affiliates in Peru, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador, and LAN Cargo and its affiliates, as well as TAM S.A. and its subsidiaries TAM Linhas Aereas S.A., including its business units TAM Transportes Aereos del Mercosur S.A., (TAM Airlines (Paraguay)) and Multiplus S.A.
This association creates one of the largest airline groups in the world in terms of network connections, providing passenger transport services to about 135 destinations in 22 countries and cargo services to about 144 destinations in 27 countries, with a fleet of 328 aircraft.
In total, LATAM Airlines Group S.A. has more than 54.000 employees and its shares are traded in Santiago, as well as on the New York Stock Exchange, in the form of ADRs, and Sao Paulo Stock Exchange, in the form of BDRs.
Source: Brazil Specialty Coffee Association
