Did You Know?
Colombia (10.5 million bags)
Colombia is the only South American country with both Atlantic and Pacific ports—an invaluable aid to shipping. The crop’s economic importance is such that all cars entering Colombia are sprayed for harmful bacteria. Colombia’s coffee grows in the moist, temperate foothills of the Andes, where the combination of high altitude and moist climate makes for an especially mild cup. Notable Beans: Medellin, Supremo, Bogotá.
Coffee Production in Colombia
Colombian coffee has been recognized worldwide as having high quality and distinctive taste. The main importers of Colombian coffee are United States, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands and Switzerland.
Coffee was first introduced to the country of Colombia in the early 1800s. The cultivation of coffee for trade purposes began around 1835 in Salazar de las Palmas, Norte de Santander. Throughout the 20th century, coffee was the main export from Colombia. In 1999, coffee represented 3.7% of the national income. The Protected Designation of Origin regions of coffee production in Colombia are: Antioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Quindío, Risaralda, Tolima and Valle del Cauca.
The harvesters pick the coffee berries individually from the plant and pack them in fique sacks, carrying the fruits on their backs, or with help of pack animals, to the depulping machine. The pulp is used as compost, while the coffee beans are fermented in containers for 24 hours to enhance their quality.
You’ve discovered the coffee treasures of Colombia. Listed below for your pleasure are some of the finest Colombian coffee roasts.