The Nàdar Coffee Blend: A Celebration of Nature and Heritage 

July 19th, 2024 | Case Studies

At Matthew Algie, we take immense pride in every coffee we roast, always striving to blend exceptional taste with a deeper purpose. Our latest creation, the Nàdar coffee blend, is a perfect testament to this philosophy. Born from nearly two years of dedicated collaboration with the National Trust for Scotland, Nàdar—meaning “nature” in Scottish Gaelic—stands as a tribute to the breathtaking landscapes and rich natural heritage the Trust works tirelessly to protect.  

The Birth of Nàdar 

The Nàdar project was taken on by David Edgar, the Food & Beverage Development Manager for the National Trust for Scotland. Together with Matthew Algie, they sought to develop a blend that not only delighted the palate but also told a compelling story of sustainability and community. The result was a Fairtrade-certified coffee, sourced from farming cooperatives in Brazil, Honduras, and India, reflecting our commitment to both the environment and the farmers who cultivate these exceptional beans.  

“Creating Nàdar has been a labour of love. We wanted a coffee that not only tastes incredible but also tells a story of sustainability and community. It’s been fantastic to see this project come to fruition, and we’re excited to share it with our supporters.” David Edgar  

A Blend Designed for All 

When creating a blend of coffee for the National Trust for Scotland, our goal was to capture the essence of the Trust through flavour profiles. The Trust team provided valuable insight: the majority of their visitors preferred coffees made with milk, such as lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. This helped Matthew Algie’s roasting experts narrow down what would work best in the Nàdar blend. In general, coffees without high acidity or citrus notes tend to pair better with milk. 

The result is a beautifully crafted blend that evokes the comforting feel of Scotland’s natural beauty. With a flavour profile described as earthy, sweet, and pinewood, paired with a smooth, soft mouthfeel, this coffee connects you to the National Trust for Scotland’s protected sites. 

Craig best articulates the goal and challenges we faced when creating this coffee: “The goal was to develop a blend that complemented the Trust’s diverse offerings and resonated with the preferences of its visitors. We wanted to create a coffee that not only tastes great but also tells the story of the National Trust for Scotland.” 

Elevating the Coffee Experience 

To ensure the Trust team got the best out of their wonderful new Nàdar beans, we worked with them to install industry-leading coffee equipment and train their food and beverage team to be certified baristas to the standard of the Specialty Coffee Association, with some even attaining train-the-trainer qualifications giving them the ability to pass on their expertise.  

Visitor Feedback 

Since the launch of Nàdar, the National Trust for Scotland has received great feedback on the coffee, often described as the “perfect coffee for coffee lovers.” One happy customer commented, “It’s like a warm hug in a cup!” Hearing such positive feedback has been incredibly rewarding for us and is a reminder of why we put in all the hard work to ensure we provide the exact coffee tailored to what our partners want to provide the public. 

Enjoy Nàdar at Home 

Recently, the Trust and our team collaborated again to ensure the amazing coffee doesn’t stop when you leave the National Trust for Scotland sites. You can now purchase individual bags of beans in selected gift shops and cafes, so you can reminisce about the day out you had at one of the National Trust for Scotland sites while sipping your morning coffee. 

You can get your hands on some Nàdar coffee here: National Trust | Nàdar Coffee.

A Partnership You Can Trust 

We have immensely enjoyed working with the National Trust for Scotland. As a Scotland-based company, it is a privilege to work with an organization whose goal is to preserve what makes the country so great. We hope everyone enjoys each sip of coffee as much as we enjoyed creating it alongside the National Trust for Scotland.

Make sure to check and support all the National Trust of Scotland sites, for an amazing day out and if you’re interested in any roasting or coffee services don’t hesitate to contact the team!