For many, Colombian coffee is a mark of quality in itself. The third-largest coffee producer – after Brazil and Vietnam – is known for its high-quality and particularly full-bodied coffee. How did it even come to Colombia, what does one of the world's largest NGOs have to do with the coffee's popularity, and what is the so-called Coffee Triangle? Find out in this week's blog post. As always, enjoy reading, and let us know if you've already tried our Colombian coffee!
How coffee came to Colombia
As in almost all coffee-producing countries, coffee cultivation in Colombia is a consequence of the high demand for coffee among Europeans in the 17th century. It was the Jesuits who finally brought coffee to Colombia in 1723. A charming story has been passed down about how the initially skeptical population was persuaded to cultivate the unfamiliar bushes: Instead of reciting Hail Marys, the archbishop required penitents to plant three to four coffee bushes. This practice was adopted throughout the country and thus triggered Colombia's coffee boom.
And how did Colombian coffee become so famous?
Anyone who has already explored coffees from around the world has probably come across Juan Valdez . He became an advertising icon as the personification of Colombian coffee. Together with his donkey Conchita , the fictional Juan Valdez promotes proven Colombian coffee quality, because where Juan is, 100% is guaranteed. It contains coffee from Colombia. Since 1958, one of the world's largest NGOs has also been using Juan Valdez's name in its advertising. The "Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia" (FNC), also known as the "Columbia Coffee Growers Federation," founded in 1927, has over 500,000 members. It advocates for standardized marketing and distribution practices, fair prices, and sustainable cultivation. The FNC also established " Cenicafe," a knowledge center that, among other things, researches more resilient plants.
Special features of coffee from Colombia
The three coffee regions of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. These regions, located in western Colombia, are known as the Coffee Triangle and lie at an altitude of 1,500–2,000 meters. The altitude, temperatures of 17–23 degrees Celsius, and especially the mineral-rich volcanic soil provide optimal growing conditions for the exclusively Arabica coffee plants cultivated there. Quindío even boasts coffee national parks, which attract millions of visitors each year. Of course, smaller, family-run farms can also be visited. In the humid, warm climate of the Andes, approximately two-thirds of Colombia's coffee is cultivated on modern farms. The remainder comes from small plantations characterized by mixed cropping and microlots. Since Colombia is heavily dependent on the coffee trade, farmers hope for continued consistent dry and rainy seasons to maintain regular harvest cycles. The indigenous Arhuaco people are also drawing attention to the effects of climate change. They, too, cultivate coffee and are already feeling the impacts. More on that in a separate blog post!
The growing regions of coffee from Colombia
Simply put, the growing regions can be divided into north and south. Temperatures in northern Colombia are somewhat warmer. Here, mixed cropping systems are used to provide the Arabica plants with the shade they need. Well-known coffee-growing areas in northern Colombia include Antioquia near Medellín, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and Santander.
In southern Colombia, the plantations are situated at a slightly higher altitude and therefore in cooler temperatures. The beans from well-known regions like Nariño, Huila, and Colima have a particularly sweet and robust flavor.
Whether in the south or north, Colombian coffee is grown largely without chemicals and artificial fertilizers. It is harvested by hand, guaranteeing excellent quality. Processing methods vary by farm, ranging from "natural" and "honey" to "washed." Fermentation, in particular, creates especially intense and interesting aromas. Colombian coffee tastes smooth yet full-bodied. Nuances of citrus, caramel, and nut define its flavor profile. Colombian coffee is classified into three quality grades: "Supreme," "Excelso," and "Usually Good Quality."
Our coffee from Colombia
Actually, we currently only offer decaffeinated coffee from Colombia. If you'd like to read more about decaffeination, click here . Of course, our Colombian coffee is 100% Arabica beans and a single-origin coffee. You'll taste notes of milk chocolate, caramel, and almond.
We hope you learned something new about the coffee-growing regions of the world and are already looking forward to next week's content. Until then!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Coffee from Colombia - The World Heritage Site of the Coffee Triangle
For many, Colombian coffee is a mark of quality in itself. The third-largest coffee producer – after Brazil and Vietnam – is known for its high-quality and particularly full-bodied coffee. How did it even come to Colombia, what does one of the world's largest NGOs have to do with the coffee's popularity, and what is the so-called Coffee Triangle? Find out in this week's blog post. As always, enjoy reading, and let us know if you've already tried our Colombian coffee!
How coffee came to Colombia
As in almost all coffee-producing countries, coffee cultivation in Colombia is a consequence of the high demand for coffee among Europeans in the 17th century. It was the Jesuits who finally brought coffee to Colombia in 1723. A charming story has been passed down about how the initially skeptical population was persuaded to cultivate the unfamiliar bushes: Instead of reciting Hail Marys, the archbishop required penitents to plant three to four coffee bushes. This practice was adopted throughout the country and thus triggered Colombia's coffee boom.
And how did Colombian coffee become so famous?
Anyone who has already explored coffees from around the world has probably come across Juan Valdez . He became an advertising icon as the personification of Colombian coffee. Together with his donkey Conchita , the fictional Juan Valdez promotes proven Colombian coffee quality, because where Juan is, 100% is guaranteed. It contains coffee from Colombia. Since 1958, one of the world's largest NGOs has also been using Juan Valdez's name in its advertising. The "Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia" (FNC), also known as the "Columbia Coffee Growers Federation," founded in 1927, has over 500,000 members. It advocates for standardized marketing and distribution practices, fair prices, and sustainable cultivation. The FNC also established " Cenicafe," a knowledge center that, among other things, researches more resilient plants.
Special features of coffee from Colombia
The three coffee regions of Caldas, Risaralda, and Quindío were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011. These regions, located in western Colombia, are known as the Coffee Triangle and lie at an altitude of 1,500–2,000 meters. The altitude, temperatures of 17–23 degrees Celsius, and especially the mineral-rich volcanic soil provide optimal growing conditions for the exclusively Arabica coffee plants cultivated there. Quindío even boasts coffee national parks, which attract millions of visitors each year. Of course, smaller, family-run farms can also be visited. In the humid, warm climate of the Andes, approximately two-thirds of Colombia's coffee is cultivated on modern farms. The remainder comes from small plantations characterized by mixed cropping and microlots. Since Colombia is heavily dependent on the coffee trade, farmers hope for continued consistent dry and rainy seasons to maintain regular harvest cycles. The indigenous Arhuaco people are also drawing attention to the effects of climate change. They, too, cultivate coffee and are already feeling the impacts. More on that in a separate blog post!
The growing regions of coffee from Colombia
Simply put, the growing regions can be divided into north and south. Temperatures in northern Colombia are somewhat warmer. Here, mixed cropping systems are used to provide the Arabica plants with the shade they need. Well-known coffee-growing areas in northern Colombia include Antioquia near Medellín, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and Santander.
In southern Colombia, the plantations are situated at a slightly higher altitude and therefore in cooler temperatures. The beans from well-known regions like Nariño, Huila, and Colima have a particularly sweet and robust flavor.
Whether in the south or north, Colombian coffee is grown largely without chemicals and artificial fertilizers. It is harvested by hand, guaranteeing excellent quality. Processing methods vary by farm, ranging from "natural" and "honey" to "washed." Fermentation, in particular, creates especially intense and interesting aromas. Colombian coffee tastes smooth yet full-bodied. Nuances of citrus, caramel, and nut define its flavor profile. Colombian coffee is classified into three quality grades: "Supreme," "Excelso," and "Usually Good Quality."
Our coffee from Colombia
Actually, we currently only offer decaffeinated coffee from Colombia. If you'd like to read more about decaffeination, click here . Of course, our Colombian coffee is 100% Arabica beans and a single-origin coffee. You'll taste notes of milk chocolate, caramel, and almond.
We hope you learned something new about the coffee-growing regions of the world and are already looking forward to next week's content. Until then!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team