Welcome to the Colombia coffee region! Colombia is one of the richest and most biodiverse countries in Latin America.
Not only does this place have great coffee, but it also has some of the best tasting coffee in the world!
As specialty coffee becomes more popular in North America and Europe, people are becoming more interested in learning about how it is made.
Our supermarket has sells Colombian coffee for many years. Coffee from Colombia has been renowned for its quality.
This guide will teach you about the Colombia coffee region, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. You will learn about the history of the region and why it is such a popular destination for coffee lovers.
Today, coffee lovers who are also backpackers visit coffee regions to learn about the coffee production process and everything there is to know about coffee. This gives them new travel experiences.
Exploring Colombia’s coffee triangle
This guide provides an overview of a unique cultural experience involving coffee beans that can be enjoyed while traveling in Colombia.
You get a better understanding of how important coffee is to people from all walks of life in Colombia when you see how they drink it.
History of Colombian coffee
By the mid-18th century, however, it had become the country’s leading export The arrival of coffee in what is now Colombia is unknown, but by the mid-18th century, it had become the country’s leading export. There are some theories that the coffee beans were brought by a Jesuit priest, José Gumilla, back in the seventeenth century.
Until 1835, coffee was only exported within Colombia. In 1835, 2,500 pounds of coffee were sent to the United States, marking the first time coffee was shipped overseas. Elites controlled most of the agricultural exports during the pre- and post-independence era. These exports were done on large-scale latifundos.
In 1860, coffee became Brazil’s top agricultural export and soon after that, the Brazilian government was getting most of its revenue from tariffs on coffee exports.
The land of Colombia
Colombia is an excellent place to grow coffee because it has many mountainous areas with rich soils. The whole country also has the ideal balance of sunlight and rainfall. This makes it the perfect place to grow a wide variety of crops.
The temperature and rainfall are both perfect for the soil here. This is why Colombian coffee is so well-regarded.
Colombia is divided into two sections by the Andes Mountains. The Andes Mountain range splits into three mountain ranges as it stretches from north to south. The majority of coffee grown in Colombia comes from this region.
This small nation, which is just about three times the size of Montana, contains two of the five South American “biodiversity hotspots.”
The Tumbes-Choco hotspot is located on Colombia’s coastline, while its mountain ranges are mostly covered by the Tropical Andes hotspot. Tropical Andes chain is home to approximately one-sixth of the world’s plant species, making it the “richest and most diverse region on Earth”, according to Conservation International.
Coffee shops in Colombia
There are many coffee shops in Colombia. This means that looking for the best coffee can be challenging, as most of the best coffee is exported.
Coffee is Colombia’s national drink, and has always been a part of the country’s culture and everyday life. There are now countless varieties of beans and different ways to roast them The coffee movement has become very popular in recent years with many different varieties of beans and ways to roast them. More locals are learning about specialty coffee and how to prepare it, not just grow it.
Some growers are holding back their best batches and selling them at local cafes. There are many options available in both Bogotá and Medellín. However, this doesn’t guarantee you’re getting the best.
Although some of the smaller coffee shops have been overshadowed by the larger coffee chains, Pergamino has prospered by selling high-quality coffee that coffee enthusiasts cannot resist.
We will forget about Juan Valez for a moment and see where you need to go when visiting the coffee triangle.
Places to learn about coffee in Colombia
Colombia produces coffee in several regions throughout the country. Let’s take a look at some of these regions.
Let’s look at the three departments in the Colombian coffee-growing axis that make up the famous coffee triangle in the Colombia coffee region.
- Antioquia – Boasts traditional coffee towns such as Jardin and Jercio. Formerly the “wild west” of Colombia for many years, Antioquia was almost entirely settled by gold miners. During the late 19th century, coffee was introduced to the fertile, mountainous borderlands of the department, and Antioquia became Colombia’s most important coffee-producing area. Because of the western and central mountain ranges that crossed the region, it offers ideal growing conditions for coffee.
- Caldas – Part of the Paisa region and known for coffee towns such as Manizales.
- Quindío – Famous for the most successful coffee harvest in the history of Colombia.
- Risaralda – Well known for the sheer high quality of its coffee.
- Chocó: Most coffee from this region is grown near the city of El Carmen de Atrato, with only a steep ridge separating it from southwest Antioquia. Eastern Chocó used to be one of Colombia’s key regions in producing coffee during the late 19th century and early 20th century; however, most of these areas are now covered in a very dense rainforest that stretches hundreds of kilometers, which makes most of these areas inaccessible.
- Nariño: This region can be found in the far south area of the country bordering Ecuador in the high peaks of the Andes mountain range. Because it is so close to the Equator, coffee can be grown at very high altitudes in this area. Several farms can be found on mountainsides with altitudes of 2000 meters above sea level.
- Santander: Typica and Shade coffee can be found in large quantities in this area, and a vast majority of these have Rainforest Alliance certification. This area has a lower growing altitude and a micro-climate that is drier.
- Sierra Nevada: A mountain range isolated from the Andes, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta reaches an altitude well over 5,000 meters above sea level. Along the northern coast of the country, most of the coffee farmers in this area are part of either the Kogui or Arhuaco native tribes.
It is important to note that a large area of land consisting of a group of the smallest departments in Colombia was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011.
Colombian coffee brands and blends
Colombian Supremo Peaberry
This coffee has a deep, intense flavor and is certified as fair trade and organic. These coffee beans are the best of the coffee harvest.
With a single, large rounded seed instead of a pair of flattened ones, Peaberry coffee beans make up only a tiny fraction of any coffee harvest.
Colombian Supremo
This coffee has a pleasant and smooth level of acidity and comes from the Colombian Supremo Andeano Estate, which is located at a very high altitude in the Colombian Andes. This coffee has a strong body with a smooth finish and a taste of nuts.
Colombian Medellín Excelso
This Colombian coffee bean is an affordable option. The Colombian Medellín Excelso coffee beans give a bright flavor with some hints of cocoa and nuts and a fruity finish.
Café Don Pablo
This affordable organic coffee brand is a popular choice. This coffee has a mild flavor with some hints of cocoa. It has a low acidity. This coffee has a mild flavor that goes well with sweet snacks.
Best brewing method for Colombian coffee beans
Colombian coffee beans are typically brewed as either Espresso or Aeropress. The Colombian way of making coffee is to boil water and pour it over coffee grinds in a cloth filter. It is a simple yet effective method.
The coffee is made in the morning and left on the back of the stove all day in an aluminum moka pot. The coffee is reheated throughout the day.
You don’t always need expensive equipment to make a good cup of coffee.
Preferred Colombian coffee roast types
What type of Colombian roast you like will depend on your personal preference. If you want to taste the beans’ natural sweetness, you should roast them until they are medium or light brown.
You may prefer a dark roast coffee, which is almost bitter but not quite.
Things to do in the Colombia coffee region
While many countries around the world drink coffee as part of their cultural tradition, Colombia is one of the few that is also home to some of the world’s finest coffee beans.
This text is discussing some of the things you can do while drinking coffee in Colombia.
1. Take a coffee tour in Jardin
Start your trip by visiting Medellin, Colombia’s second most populous city. You can enjoy a cup of coffee from Pergamino coffee shop before exploring Medellin.
This is a popular tourist destination because it is one of the most well-preserved towns in the Antioquia region, and is also home to some of the best coffee in Colombia.
There are many different activities that can be done outside of simply observing the plaza and talking to locals. There are various day trips that can be taken in order to experience more of the culture and the area. Finca Florida is a great place to learn about organic coffee production.
If you don’t have a guide, you may need to brush up on your Spanish skills, as Isabel, the owner, doesn’t speak much English. Learning a little bit of Spanish before you travel to Colombia is always a good idea. I was able to get more detailed information by asking basic questions.
2. Visit Salento in Quindio
Salento, situated in the Quindio department of the coffee triangle, is another coffee town popular with many travelers to Colombia. Many locals find Salento to be the perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Salento is located west of Bogota, which is the capital and most important city in Colombia.
The area around Quindio is known for its coffee plantations and the famous Cocora Valley. You can easily find a a great cup of coffee here. Jesus Martin was my favorite. There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you busy.
There will be a lot of people in this small town over the weekend since both locals and tourists from other countries come then, so finding a place to stay will probably be difficult. I recommend booking a weekend stay in Salento in advance. If you want to avoid the crowds, plan to visit the town during the week.
You can take a Jeep from the Plaza to transport you to Cocora valley.
3. Hike Cocora Valley
While you’re in Salento, it’s a good idea to visit Cocora Valley. Many locals who travel to Salento do so in order to go hiking around Cocora Valley.
This is the location of Colombia’s national tree, the wax palm. This tree, which can grow to a height of 60 metres, is not related to coffee. Although it was not intended to be popular, it has become more so because people post pictures of it on Instagram.
The Cocora Valley treck is a historical site that is very famous for is wax palms. If you were to go on a stroll through the valley it would be like being transported back in time to the Jurassic period.
Adding this to any trip to the Colombia coffee region is great. Horseback riding is one of the most popular ways to do the trail. Several tour agencies at the location offer horseback riding trips of varying lengths around the area.
4. Visit Jericó at the heart of the Colombia coffee region
You’ll love Jericó if you liked the idea of going to Jardin. Although this coffee town is not as big as Jardin, it appears to be more well-preserved.
There are plenty of things to do in Jericó that will make you feel at home quickly, like hiking up to the Christ Redentor viewpoint to admire the town from above, or exploring the botanical gardens.
Though Jerició may seem like an unlikely place for coffee production, it is full of surprises when it comes to the drink. You won’t see any chic coffee shops like the chic coffee shops in Medellin. You will find fewer seats for locals to drink Tinto wine in Jardin than in other places.
Jerició is unique. In order to taste some of the best coffee from Southern Antioquia, you may have to go a little deeper. If you’re looking for a good time, you should check out Don Rafa or El Café y El Bulevar.
The specialty coffee trend has made its way to Jericó, where you can order your coffee in many different ways. Chemex is a pour over coffee brewing method that is popular among many specialty coffee drinkers.
Colombian coffee culture
The Colombian economy would collapse if most Colombians could not get through their day without coffee. In Colombia, coffee is the biggest export and the most popular drink. There are 500,000 coffee farms in the country.
For many Colombians, coffee isn’t just a morning pick-me-up. Coffee is also a drink that can be enjoyed with other people, a way to spend time with friends and family. Coffee breaks are common in workplaces, and coffee is usually served after meals. However, in some workplaces, coffee is only served once a day.
The word “Tinto” is more commonly used for coffee in Colombia than the word “café”. The vendors are pushing small carts of coffee and yelling “Tinto” as they pass by. The coffee that these vendors are selling might not be familiar to you.
Tinto is both sweet and very strong. Tinto is typically served in plastic cups that are slightly larger than a shot glass. The small portions of munch punch tinto are a good thing, considering how much punch each cup packs.