1. The culture of Colombian coffee
What is culture? A way of life, traditions, customs, economy, values, production and consumption, gastronomy... and in Colombia, coffee brings it all together. Colombian coffee is much more than a stimulating beverage with unique organoleptic properties; coffee in Colombia is culture .
This is something Colombians know, but it's also recognized outside of Colombia. "Colombian coffee" is an officially protected geographical indication by the European Union, a certification mark in both the United States and Canada, and a protected designation of origin in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru.
Coffee has been a fundamental element in Colombia's history, identity, and development. According to a BBC News Mundo article , coffee has boosted the Colombian economy since the beginning of the 20th century and has become a national symbol.
2. History of coffee in Colombia
Colombian coffee has a long and deep-rooted history
The origin of coffee in Colombia dates back to the 18th century , when the Jesuits introduced the first coffee plants from Venezuela. The first reference we find is in the book El Orinoco Ilustrado (The Illustrated Orinoco) (1730) by the Jesuit priest José Gumilla. According to this book , coffee was grown at the mission of Santa Teresa de Tabajé, near the mouth of the Meta River in the Orinoquía.
Another version suggests that the Jesuit priest Francisco Romero was responsible for promoting coffee cultivation in the department of Santander, by imposing that his followers plant coffee on their land as penance.
Since then, coffee has spread throughout the country, driven by international demand and government support. Coffee has become one of Colombia's main exports and a factor in social, economic, and cultural integration.
Colombia was the world's second-largest coffee exporter, after Brazil, in the early decades of the 20th century. Now, according to the International Coffee Organization, it ranks between third and fourth.
Over the years, Colombian coffee has evolved to adapt to market changes and consumer preferences, giving rise to the emergence of the specialty coffee industry in Colombia.
3. Importance of coffee in the Colombian economy and culture
Coffee in Colombia is part of the national culture
Coffee is a product of great importance to the Colombian economy and culture. It is one of Colombia's main exports and a significant source of income for the country. Coffee has also generated a culture of work, national identity, and social, economic, and cultural integration.
Colombia produces approximately 14 million 70-kg bags per year . Of these, 13 million (93%) are for export, according to figures from the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation.
Coffee is also a part of Colombian cuisine and everyday life. Coffee is consumed in different forms and at different times of the day, such as tinto, perico, café con leche, or cappuccino. Coffee is an expression of Colombia's culture and diversity.
The counterpoint to the boom in the coffee and specialty coffee industry is that 93% of it ends up being exported. This means, paradoxically, that Colombia imports lower-quality coffee from neighboring countries.
There are initiatives, such as Catación Quindio , that are promoting the sale and consumption of specialty coffee in this country. Still, much work remains to be done so that Colombians can consume their own coffee and so that the country's coffee culture can continue to develop.
By purchasing specialty Colombian coffee, you are helping to make this happen.
4. Evolution of coffee cultivation and production in Colombia
Colombian coffee cultivation has evolved a lot
The cultivation and culture of Colombian coffee has evolved significantly over time and has been influenced by a variety of historical, economic, and social factors. In particular, the introduction of specialty coffee has led to significant changes in the way coffee is grown and consumed in Colombia.
For much of the 19th century, coffee was grown primarily on small plots and sold in the local market. However, as coffee cultivation spread throughout the country, large coffee plantations were established, and Colombian coffee began to be exported to other countries.
The coffee boom in Colombia and the creation of coffee plantations led to the consolidation of a social class that controlled coffee production and exports. This Colombian coffee-producing elite became a significant political and economic force in the country and played a significant role in shaping Colombian coffee culture.
However, as international competition increased, Colombian coffee producers began looking for ways to differentiate their product and stand out in the global market.
Specialty coffee was introduced in Colombia in the 1980s , when some producers began to focus on coffee quality rather than just quantity.
These producers, generally small coffee growers with areas between 1 and 5 hectares, began implementing more rigorous cultivation and processing practices. This has allowed them to produce high-quality coffee that can compete in the specialty market.
5. Colombian coffee cultivation methods
During the boom period of coffee production in Colombia, focused on export and sales to large companies, Colombian coffee cultivation methods became mechanized and standardized.
The introduction of specialty coffee into the Colombian coffee industry has led to a return to more careful and specialized cultivation methods.
Many Colombian coffee producers have adopted sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in their operations. These practices include soil and water conservation, reducing the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, and implementing composting techniques.
In specialty coffee , both the quality of the soil and the use of pesticide-free, environmentally friendly cultivation methods are very important. So are selective harvesting and proper processing. All of this requires greater work and attention from coffee growers, which results in higher prices but also in a better quality of life for coffee growers.
6. Coffee regions in Colombia
Map of the Colombian coffee growing region
Colombian coffee has a wide variety of regions that specialize in the cultivation of different coffee varieties. Each of these regions has unique characteristics in terms of climate, soil, altitude , and other factors that influence the flavor and quality of the coffee produced there.
The 10 departments (provinces) with the highest coffee production in Colombia are: Huila with 18.07%, Antioquia with 15.77%, Tolima with 12.69%, Cauca with 9.04%, Caldas with 8.76%, Valle del Cauca with 5.83%, Risaralda with 5.99%, Nariño with 4.37%, Santander with 4.78% and Cudinamarca with 3.34%.
- Huila (18.07% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 1,900 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Tabi.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee farming and some farms with more modern production systems.
- Antioquia (15.77% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Bourbon.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing with some more modern production systems.
- Tolima (12.69% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Climate: warm with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo and Tabi.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Cauca (9.04% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 2,200 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo and Typica.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Caldas (8.76% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,400 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Tabi.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Valle del Cauca (5.83% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,000 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Climate: warm with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Bourbon.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Risaralda (5.99% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Bourbon.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Nariño (4.37% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,800 and 2,100 meters above sea level.
- Climate: cool with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Bourbon.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Santander (4.78% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level.
- Climate: temperate with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo, Typica and Bourbon.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
- Cundinamarca (3.34% of the country's coffee production):
- Altitude: between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level.
- Climate: warm with rain all year round.
- Coffee varieties: Caturra, Colombia, Castillo and Typica.
- Cultivation: predominantly traditional coffee growing and some more modern production systems.
Each of these departments has its own microclimate and coffee varieties, resulting in unique flavor and quality profiles in the coffee produced. Furthermore, Colombian specialty coffee producers use different processes and experiment with new ones, such as anaerobic fermentation . Therefore, it's not really relevant to talk about a typical Colombian coffee profile.
Through the rise and development of specialty coffee in Colombia and globally, the range of varieties and flavor profiles found in each coffee-growing region is expanding much further.
7. Colombian coffee-growing areas
Map of Colombia's coffee-growing regions. These departments can be grouped into several coffee-growing regions . This will help us understand some of the differences we can find in Colombian coffee from different departments, and even within the same department.
Northern Zone: Santander, Norte de Santander, La Guajira, Magdalena, and Cesar. This area has an average temperature of 24°C and an average rainfall of 1,800 mm per year. Coffee blooms in March, just as the rainy season approaches, and is harvested in October/November, when it ends.
North-Central and South-Central Regions : Boyacá, Cundinamarca, Antioquia, Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda. These regions have an average temperature of 18°C and an average annual rainfall of 2,000 mm. In the north-central region, the main harvest season is from October to December, at the end of the second wet season. However, there is a second harvest in May and June, at the end of the first wet season.
Southern Zone : Huila, Tolima, Cauca, Valle del Cauca, and Nariño. This area has an average temperature of 20°C and an average annual rainfall of 1,800 mm. The main harvest is from September to December.
Eastern Zone : Arauca, Casanare, and Meta. This area has an average temperature of 24°C and an average annual rainfall of 2,000 mm. The main harvest is from October to February.
8. Colombian coffee harvest season
Due to its geographical location and the different altitudes and climates in each producing region, there are two main coffee harvest seasons in Colombia.
The first harvest season for Colombian coffee occurs between April and June , and the second season occurs between September and December . However, the harvest season can vary by region, and even within a single region, harvest dates can vary depending on altitude and other climatic factors.
For example, in the Huila region, located in southern Colombia, the main harvest occurs between September and December, while in the Nariño region, located in the southwest of the country, the main harvest occurs between April and June. In the Antioquia region, located in the center of the country, the main harvest is in June and July.
The quality of Colombian coffee can vary depending on the harvest season, with the mid-year harvest (April–June) generally considered to produce higher-quality, larger coffee beans, while the end-of-year harvest (September–December) produces smaller, lower-quality beans.
9. Colombian coffee growers and their work
Colombian coffee growers on a plantation. The work of coffee growers in producing specialty coffee is of utmost importance, and Colombian coffee is no different. Their daily work has a direct impact on the quality of the coffee produced.
Coffee growers focusing on specialty coffee in Colombia are typically small producers with farms ranging from 1 to 5 hectares, committed to sustainable farming methods and the production of high-quality beans.
According to the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia , these coffee growers have worked tirelessly to improve their cultivation and processing techniques over the years. This organization also provides advice to Colombian coffee growers to help them improve their production and ensure they are using sustainable practices.
Many Colombian coffee growers work in cooperatives and organizations that allow them greater participation in the coffee supply chain and greater influence over the price they receive for their beans . These organizations also offer coffee growers greater access to training and resources to improve their production and quality.
The work of small coffee growers in Colombia is crucial to the success of the country's specialty coffee industry.
10. Tasting Café Exports & Ineffable Coffee
Cata Exports focuses on the human and environmental sustainability of the industry.
At Ineffable Coffee, we work with Cata Café Export , a Colombian-based company dedicated to exporting specialty green coffee. This company's mission is to help develop the Colombian specialty coffee industry by supporting small coffee growers . It seeks to create a bridge between producers, roasters, and consumers.
With this mission, we work with 200 Afro-Colombian producers in Cauca and a team of young producers in Huila . Every bag of coffee we purchase represents hope for the economy and for young people who aspire to a better future in the Colombian coffee industry.
11. Buy Colombian coffee
Everything is more enjoyable when we have the knowledge to contextualize it; that's what ultimately forms a culture. We want to help the specialty coffee culture in Colombia continue to develop, because it means our coffee culture is developing as well. And for that, we're counting on you.
In our online store, you'll find specialty Colombian coffee —fresh, seasonal, and roasted to perfection—so you too can become part of this beautiful culture.
