Made in the village of La Chamba on the banks of the Magdalena River of Central Colombia this pottery has been made for as long as anyone can remember. The pieces are crafted inside the homes of the families, dried outside on their porches, patios and yards and then fired in their small ovens. Within this village, individual families specialise in certain pieces and most family members help in some way. Handmade using traditional processes that date back centuries, the clay is mined from the banks of the Magdalena River, it is then stone-smoothed by hand and fired on-site to achieve the black finish that Chamba is known for.
La Chamba is made from clay that contains mica which allows La Chamba to be able to withstand high temperatures as well as retain the heat of a meal longer than your standard cookware. It is all-natural and unglazed; it contains no toxins and will enhance the flavour of any dish by extracting the most from your ingredients. La Chamba is a great addition to any kitchen as it can be used in the oven, microwave, stovetop, and grill.
Before you use your La Chamba for the first time, it should be filled three-quarters full of water and placed uncovered in an oven for 30 minutes at 200 Celsius. This seals the cookware, although a complete seal of the piece will be achieved over time after using it several times for cooking. You will notice that the more you use your La Chamba, the colour of the piece will change slightly from the exposure to heat, thus adding even more character to a unique, handmade piece.