Colombian coffee is recognized worldwide for its quality and delicious flavor; in fact, along with a couple of other countries, Colombian coffee is generally considered one of the best in the world. But what makes one country's coffee better than another's? Isn't it all just coffee? The simple answer is no, so read on to find out what makes Colombian coffee so good.
Colombian coffee reviews tend to describe it as medium-bodied with a rich flavor and citrus-like acidity. The best high-grown Colombian coffee typifies the classic smooth, fruity Latin American flavor, though not the kind of fruity flavor that seems almost fermented.
Cultivation and harvesting process
- Growth altitude: 1,200 - 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Arabica Variety: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Tabi, Colombia, Maragogipe, Castillo.
- Harvest period: September - December.
- Grinding process: washing, sun drying.
- Aroma: Sweet (caramel), Cocoa.
- Flavor: Sweet (fruity), Citrus, Nut (mild).
- Body: Medium.
- Acidity: Bright, Citrus.
It's not enough to have the perfect climate and terrain if your coffee growing and harvesting methods are careless or poorly executed. The best coffee is grown on steep slopes, ideally surrounded by trees and banana plants, which provide much-needed shade and prevent the beans from burning in the blazing sun, and each bean is hand-picked. Yes, you read that right: each of the nearly 600,000 coffee farmers in Colombia harvests every part of their crop by hand.
This manual selection process should not be underestimated. A machine cannot distinguish between green beans, overripe beans, and the ideal coffee cherry. But a human being can, and the hard work and fingertips of tens of thousands of coffee pickers is a testament to the tough nature of their work; however, it is worth it for coffee lovers, as the selection process means only the best coffee beans make it to the cup.
What makes Colombian coffee a better choice?
The vast majority of coffee grown in Colombia is of the Arabica variety. Compared to major coffee-producing nations like Vietnam, which produce large quantities of the inferior Robusta variety, Colombian Arabica is definitely superior.
The Colombian climate is also one of the most suitable for coffee in the world. As the global climate changes and becomes increasingly erratic, coffee-producing countries like Vietnam are suffering. Fortunately, the climate in Colombia is much more stable.
Additionally, unlike many African and Asian coffees that are dry-processed (natural), most Colombian coffees are wet-processed (washed). Washed-processed coffee is more highly valued than natural-processed coffee, as it allows you to experience the coffee's terroir (where the coffee is grown), and washed processing also results in a more pleasing acidity.
Is Colombian coffee dark roasted?
Colombian coffee can be any roast you like: light, medium, dark, French, or Italian. Coffee is often dark roasted to mask poor-quality beans, resulting in bitterness.
For a true Colombian coffee experience, opt for a light or medium roast. You want to be able to detect the beautiful flavors inherent in the beans. Never buy dark roast coffee, as the coffee will be bitter.
Facts about Colombian coffee
Geography
Coffee is produced in the northern half of Colombia along a line that stretches from its southeastern border with Ecuador to its northwestern border with Venezuela. Coffee is produced in 20 of the 33 departments that make up Colombia.
Of the 20 coffee-producing departments in Colombia , the most prominent are Cauca, Valle del Cauca, Tolima, Huila, Quindío, Risaralda, Nariño, Caldas, Antioquia, Cundinamarca, Santander, Norte de Santander and Sierra Nevada.
Production
In 2020, Colombia produced 858,000 metric tons of coffee. That's 14.3 million 60-kilogram bags.
Varieties
The most commonly produced varieties in Colombia are Typica, Caturra, and Castillo. You'll also find Bourbon, Colombia, Maragogype, Tabi, and even Geisha. These varietals are produced in varying degrees depending on the department.
Harvest
Colombian coffees produce two harvests per year: the main harvest and the smaller mitaca harvest. Most of the main harvest takes place between September and December, and some between March and June. Harvest time depends on the geographic region.
Colombian coffee has a reputation, and it definitely lives up to expectations. Regardless of your current coffee drinking habits, you'll likely enjoy a cup made with the unique beans grown in the country.