We all love and, above all, are proud of our Colombian coffee , because it's clearly the benchmark for our country. Everyone in the world, whether they love coffee or not, considers our country the benchmark for coffee, and this isn't due to the quantity produced or the fact that it's available worldwide. Colombian coffee is considered the best in the world for its flavor, the quality of its beans, and the balance it provides in the cup. That's why today We want to talk about the qualities of our coffee and why the Colombian bean holds such an important position.
But first, a little bit of the history of coffee in Colombia
Coffee arrived in our country only at the end of the 18th century, but it was only in the second half of the 19th century that it was able to consolidate itself as an exporter , supported by the economic expansion that occurred around the industrial revolution and the great growth in demand from powers such as the United States. During the 20th century it was the basis of our economy and from 1920 the country consolidated itself as the main exporter of the Arabica variety, and that is when the secret of the smoothness of our coffee was born.
Quality factors
There are different characteristics that contribute to the quality and fame of the Colombian grain , one of the most important is the type of coffee, as I mentioned before, In Colombia, the Arabica variety is used, which is considered by many to be the best of the coffee varieties. and with the quality of being much more aromatic than other varieties. This is one of the advantages over many producing countries and large producers like Brazil, which focus their production on lower-quality varieties, such as Robusta.
Another factor in favor of our country is geography, We are located at a point on the planet called the Coffee Belt , an area where the height of its mountains makes it ideal for growing coffee. These mountains are not only notable for their height, but also for their soil and its quality. They are a land rich in nutrients due to the characteristics of the volcanic soil, which are ultimately reflected in the flavor and quality of the cup of coffee.
But not only coffee grows in the soil of our mountains; we also find a wide variety of other fruits , which, when planted around the coffee trees, create partial shade, which helps slower growth and ripening, thus increasing the absorption of nutrients.
The care of the processes is another of those factors that influence the quality of our coffee. A large part of our production goes through a washing process, which contributes to its softness. Another process that adds a uniqueness to our coffee is hand-picking. This contributes to a better selection of ripe fruit and identification of the highest-quality beans. Countries with higher production have automated their harvesting, which has been reflected in the quality of their coffee. Education has also been a key factor in improving quality. Coffee growers have prepared themselves and understood that bean care, soil health, and fermentation times and methods have a determining influence that is reflected in the cup. Therefore, they train to learn and improve these processes.
Another important factor for the growth of Colombian coffee , which cannot be overlooked, is having its own research center, CenicafΓ©. It has become one of the most important research organizations in the coffee world, pioneering processes, cultivation, and sustainability and traceability issues. All of this has contributed to obtaining various distinctions of origin, which certify the quality and specialty of our beans.
The quality of our coffee cannot be disputed. We are privileged to be able to drink the best coffee every morning and enjoy the flavors of our land in every cup. That's why, every time you make a cup of coffee and feel those aromatic sensations on your palate, its different notes in every sip, and that smoothness that stimulates our senses to start each day, remember that "the flavor of Colombian coffee is a reflection of its people, and that's why it's the best in the world."