Colombia produces some of the best coffee in the world. The country is fourth in terms of global production and first when it comes to quality. But where do you start if you want to explore the various regions and flavors of Colombian coffee? Here’s a quick rundown of the top five coffee-producing areas.
Coffee was first introduced to Colombia in 1789, but it wasn’t until the mid-1900s that production took off. From there, things have only gotten better. Colombia now produces more than twice as much coffee as any other country. Coffee Harvest in Colombia occurs twice annually - November/December and April/May.
Colombia's main coffee-growing regions are:
Caldas, one of Colombia's major coffee regions, produces one of the world's finest Arabica beans. The province is located in the center of the country and is part of the famous “Coffee Triangle.” The climate is warm and humid throughout much of the year. The average annual temperature ranges from 13°C to 24°C (55°F to 75°F). Because of its proximity to the Equator, Caldas has no large temperature fluctuations during the year.
A good place to explore the Coffee in Colombia is the Hacienda Guayabal in Chinchina, 25km southwest of Manizales.
Risaralda Province is south of Caldas and part of the “Coffee Triangle.” The region consists of clay and volcanic soils. Clay is common in the western part of the region, while volcanic soils are found in the eastern parts. These soils make Risaralda Coffee taste more acidic than other coffees because they contain less carbon dioxide.
Another factor that affects the taste of Risaralda Coffee is its altitude. Coffee plants grow better at higher altitudes. As a result, Risaralda Coffee has more intense flavors than other coffees from Colombia.
Café Don Manolo is an excellent place to live a coffee experience outside of Pereira. This site is visited during our tour “Coffee & Rum in Colombia and Panama.”
The Quindio Valley is located south of the Risaralda Region and is the third destination of the Colombian Coffee Triangle. Armenia is one of the leading centers of the Colombian coffee industry.
The area is known for its high-quality Arabica beans and for producing some of the country’s best coffee. It became a center of coffee plantations during the 19th century. By the early 20th century, it was one of Colombia’s most important coffee regions.
An excellent place to explore the world of coffee is the Finca Cafe San Alberto in Bellavista, south of Armenia.
Antioquia is best visited from Medellin. Coffee is produced in all parts of the highlands of the province. An excellent place to start your exploration for coffee in Colombia is the city of Medellin.
Antioquia is known for its rich soil and ideal climate that produces high-quality coffee beans. Famous coffees include Antioqueño, which has a lighter body and a sweeter taste than other Colombian coffees. Other favorite coffees include Caturra Pacamara and Caturra Bourbon.
Most of Antioquia’s coffee farms are small family-owned operations that grow their crops organically and use sustainable practices.
An excellent Coffee Farm to visit is the D`Arrieros Coffee Farm northwest of Medellin.
The province of Cundinamarca encircles the city of Bogota. Cundinamarca coffee is typically grown at high altitudes (above 2,000 meters above sea level). These high altitudes result in an environment conducive to growing coffee trees.
Because the region is so mountainous and hilly, it requires skilled workers working with heavy machinery and equipment. The hilly area is easily accessible from Bogota. Many plantations can be visited on a day trip from Bogota.
A good coffee experience you find at the Tourist Coffee Experience, south of Bogota.
Coffee is integral to our tour “Coffee & Rum in Colombia and Panama.” Get inspired by an exciting Coffee & Rum Adventure traveling on adventurous trains to remote regions.
.svg)
