History of Santander coffee

Drinking a good cup of coffee is an experience not only for the taste, but for the cultural inspiration one can gain from the process. Our grandparents and history books tell us that the most daring battles on the road to liberator Simón Bolívar's success were fought in the departments of Santander and Norte de Santander. They also tell us that it is a land rich in pre-Hispanic history, where the Santanderean drive was born, where the character of the energetic and determined woman stands out, who has carried her name through our tradition of strength and conquests; stories that have allowed her to imprint her stamp of courage on agricultural work. having coffee as an option for growth and cultural identity

Let's get to know Santander

Santander is a department located in the Andes Mountains, rich in river valleys and rugged terrain, including the famous and renowned Chicamocha National Park, once nominated for inclusion in the Wonders of the Modern World. Without a doubt, we can't mention this department without mentioning Barichara, considered the most beautiful town in Colombia , and Bucaramanga, the so-called beautiful city. The music, the gastronomy, the character of the Santandereans, the Santurbán Páramo, Socorro (capital of Latin American independence), and for extreme sports, you can find a variety of water attractions in San Gil; as they say, after a soak, a good cup of coffee, and the presence of our emblematic bird, the Condor.

Today this legendary department is writing a new history by being recognized for its variety of specialty coffee. , thanks to the hard work of farmers and coffee growers who have positioned it as one of the most international coffees in Colombia and being, to date, the department with the largest certification programs, since its main motivation is the high quality of coffee , for the conservation of the environment and the well-being of families and coffee-growing communities. Continuing with the history, this region opened the doors to development, being a pioneer in Colombia in production and marketing, today we can say that it is the seventh department nationwide, coffee occupies more than 40% of the planted area in approximately 22 of its 87 municipalities, highlighting: El Socorro, San Gil, Palmas del Socorro, Páramo, Valle de San José, Rionegro, San Vicente, San Andrés and Puente Nacional.

The Santandereano coffee

In addition to a long history, the cup of Santandereano coffee is recognized for having a medium-high and balanced body, a medium acidity with sweet, herbal, fruity flavors and some citrus sensations, as well as its fragrances with some chocolate and nutty notes. Santandereano coffee is an extremely delicate and carefully cultivated product, grown under the shade of native forests (hence its herbal notes), which allows for consistent temperatures, favoring the slow development of the fruit, concentrating sugars, and facilitating harvesting at a high degree of ripeness. This is coupled with the region's human, cultural, and traditional components. In 2014, the Superintendency of Industry and Commerce granted the Designation of Origin (a distinctive sign of high quality that recognizes a product based on the geographical characteristics of a region). This seal opened international doors to consolidate the product, thanks to more than 32,000 coffee growers, 10,000 of whom are women, and 31% are female heads of household who work daily to harvest their own essence. Santandereano coffee understands that the quality of its coffee is worthy of admiration, and it begins at home as the best validator of excellence. This is yet another example of the importance of consuming good coffee in our own territory.

Current news about the region's coffee

The competition has been tough and there is no room for weakness, The Santander push has brought Colombian coffee to a position of admiration with the production of specialty coffees From traditional farms with over 100 years of coffee history, they continuously deliver high-quality beans to the world, with innovative variations, captivating foreigners and locals alike with their distinct nuances, aromas, and enchanting flavors, by respecting the processing and drying times to better absorb the mucilage, for example. Today, some farms in the region are adopting the Geisha coffee experience from Panama, adapting it to current conditions and implementing new practices such as Red Honey and Black Honey, safeguarding their drying times of 15 days and two months respectively. Their processes are open to the public so that tourists can appreciate a true coffee experience from the planting process, through the harvest, drying, and final tasting accompanied by hospitable farmers and exquisite natural landscapes.

We have a date with history, accompanied by a cup of Santander coffee , imbued with its cultural value, maximizing its rich, traditional flavor and enjoying its landscapes. The fundamental pulse of humanity is to narrate and be narrated; word of mouth has allowed tradition to spread regardless of territory or language barriers. If you ever want to get to know the department of Santander, you should start with a good cup of Origen coffee.