Colombia

Much of Colombian coffee is grown in the shade high in the mountains. The locations of the plantations in Colombia are primarily in two regions of Colombia. The first is the central region of Medellin, Armenia and Manizales. The second area is near Bogotá and Bucaramanga. The average plantation size is less than 8 acres. No matter where it is grown, Colombian coffee beans produce some of the world’s richest coffees with body and flavor. Colombian coffee is premium coffee used in gourmet roasts.

Colombian coffee history is interesting. It appears it first came to Colombia with the Jesuit priests in the early 1800’s. But it wasn’t until 1835 that the first Colombian coffee exports occurred. Colombian coffee exports grew exponentially ever since and today there are over 20 million bags exported annually around the world. The green Colombian coffee beans are almost exclusively Arabica beans.

In 1959, Colombia began a campaign to promote its coffee exports. The advertising campaign to this day is probably one of the most recognized campaigns ever invented. The character Juan Valdez and Colombian Coffee became forever linked even though Juan Valdez is fictional. He came to represent the laboring farmers who produce some of the best coffee in the world. He appears in pictures of Colombian Coffee in the stores with his mule and bags of harvested coffee beans.

Colombian coffee is produced and sold in varying grades. The grades indicate the quality and flavor of the coffee beans. Lower quality beans are used in common coffee brands such as those sold on shelves in the grocery store, like Colombian coffee in a Krogers’ store. Higher grades are sold as specialty coffees. Colombian Supremo coffee is the best of Colombian coffees. It is a larger bean than other grades and has a sweet taste. It is a true 100% Colombian coffee and its popularity continues to grow. Supremo is gourmet coffee.

Coffee plantations in Colombia produce some of the most balanced coffee available. Coffee makers in Colombia work very hard to provide consistency in quality and flavor. Vietnam has recently given Colombia stiff competition in the coffee market, but the reality is the Colombian climate is perfect for coffee growing. The Colombian coffee bean is grown in higher cooler altitudes resulting in a more intense flavor. With coffee this good it is hard to believe the average consumption of Colombian coffee is only 22.1 grams per person!