What Makes Colombian Coffee Stand Out?

If you want to bring an element of Colombia's tropical and scenic beauty to your early morning caffeine routine, you're in luck! Colombian coffee is a delicious way to start your day off right. With millions of bags of beans produced yearly, there's something for everyone. 

But what exactly makes those roasted beans create such a palatable and crowd-pleasing cup of coffee? Are there different variations of beans for you to try? Join us as we explore just what makes Colombian coffee so unique. 

History of Colombian Coffee

Coffee plants were first introduced to Colombia by Jesuit priests who arrived in a wave of Spanish settlers in the early 17th century. The first crops were planted in the Northeast region, but as popularity grew, small family farms across the nation adopted the plant as well. Colombia's success in exporting didn't come around until the early 18th century when they first began shipping their product out of the country. No one could have guessed that that first shipment would've changed the international industry for good—but it did! 

But, when the Thousand Day War came around, the demand was up, and the supply was strained. When the market hit a lull in the 19th century, plantation owners split up the land among workers, leading to localized independence over farms and placing the power in the hands of small, local estate farmers. 

The introduction of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia in 1972 changed the livelihood of native coffee growers for good. It focused on protecting the interests and rights of the farmers as well as marketing their product worldwide with famous ad campaigns such as the "100% Colombian Coffee Seal" and the fictional character of Juan Valdez. Nowadays, it's one of the biggest coffee exporters in the world.  

Who Drinks Colombian Coffee?

Colombian coffee, with its bright acidity and balanced flavors, is one of the most popular choices for expert and novice coffee drinkers alike. Anyone can enjoy a Colombian roast, whether they're enjoying it black or with CBD in their coffee. 

Why is Colombia the Perfect Location for Growing Coffee?

When it comes to choosing a successful location for growing coffee plants, it can be a bit of a guessing game. Luckily, farmers quickly realized that Colombia actually has the perfect conditions for producing a variety of beans! Coffee beans thrive in locations with consistent sunshine, mild climates, and significant rainfall—all of which can be found in Colombia's humid tropical to subtropical climate. 

Colombia is also conveniently home to many micro-climates and elevations across the country, from the nutrient-rich soils in rolling hills to elevated tropical terrains. This means that each region produces its own variation with its own standout flavors, acidity levels, and body. 

7 Essential Elements of Colombian Coffee

If you're used to drinking whatever blend comes your way without regard for the unique properties that make up your cup of Joe, it's time to elevate your coffee game. With Colombian coffee, there are a few key elements that help to set it apart from its competitors like single-origin Ethiopian coffee or Kenya beans.

#1: Distinct Flavor Profile

Any coffee drinker will tell you that the flavor profile is one of the most important aspects of what makes a bean memorable. Colombian coffee roasts are often celebrated for their rich and distinct flavor profiles—especially when compared to a bean that's a little more one-note. It's not necessarily filled with strong, bold flavors, but it is recommended for anyone looking for a smooth, mild, and chocolatey profile. 

Common Colombian Coffee Flavors

Colombian beans can be found with a variety of niche and subtle top notes depending on where they're grown, but in general, the coffee is known for these repeated flavors: 

• Chocolate
• Caramel
• Nutty
• Spice
• Apple
• Berries
• Honey
• Citrus
• Herbs

#2: High-Quality Arabica Varietals

Colombia is one of the top growers of notably high-quality arabica beans, giving each bag that signature subtle sweetness. The farms in the country are revered for having ideal growing conditions both in geography and climate. High-altitude farms in the Andean mountain range are especially praised for receiving the perfect amount of rainfall, rich volcanic soil, and warm and sunny weather. Caturra, Typica, and Bourbon are just some of the arabica varietals that prosper in this country. 

Note: While arabica makes up the majority of Colombia's coffee production, there is a smaller quota for robusta beans. These beans are smaller, rounder, denser, and more bitter, so they are more likely to be mixed in with other coffee blends than enjoyed on their own. 

#3: Medium to Heavy Body

When someone says a blend has a good "body," they're referring to the texture or weight that someone may perceive as they sip it, similar to the tannins in wine. Colombian coffee is known as a medium- to heavy-bodied coffee, making it a big hit for those looking for something middle-of-the-road, buttery, and easy to drink. 

#4: Medium to High Acidity

Acidity is a touchy element when it comes to choosing a coffee bean: some enjoy the tangy front-of-the-mouth feel from high acidity, and others prefer little to none. Colombian coffee often has a medium to high acidity level thanks to its processing conditions and slow ripening. This brightens up the overall mouthfeel of the brew and helps highlight any nuanced top notes from region to region. 

#5: Never-Bitter Beans

One of the biggest issues for some coffee drinkers is how bitter a bean can taste. When it comes to Colombian coffee, you rarely have to worry about a bitter flavor, as each farm uses premium quality beans and focuses on producing pleasant and smooth tastes. This means that however you brew it, whether it be pour over or made in a Moka pot, you're left with a well-balanced and never-bitter cup of coffee. 

#6: Fragrant and Memorable Aromas

For some people, the only thing that matters as much as the overall taste of a cup of coffee is how it smells. Colombian coffee is praised for being one of the most aromatic options on the market, with scents ranging from citrusy to earthy and everything in between. This is due to the high level of oils that are naturally released during the roasting process.

#7: Combined Processing Methods

Once a coffee cherry is picked, it has to go through a lot of processing steps before it’s ready for roasting. Colombia is unique in that it's the biggest producer of semi-washed beans, a method that combines traditional dry and wet processing. 

Farmers remove the outer layer of the coffee cherries with water, leaving some pulp attached. They are then laid out in the sun's rays to dry, using that remaining pulp layer to act as a sort of protection. This results in a lightly sweet and subtle floral starting base with the green coffee beans.

Does the Region Affect the Flavor of Colombian Coffee?

When you shop for a bag of Colombian coffee, you may be shocked to see just how many options there are. That's because each farm in each region along the Coffee Triangle is known for its own special flavor profiles. This is due to a combination of weather conditions, altitudes, earth nutrients, and processing steps. If you don't like one farm's bean, you could very well love another!

Popular Colombian Coffee Growing Regions 

In Colombia, there are five main growing regions: North, Central North, Central South, South, and East. Within those main sectors are 19 sub-regions—that's a lot of areas to go over in one blog! For our purposes, let's get an inside look at the most popular regions to find a roasted or green Colombian coffee that suits your preferences: 

The Cauca Region

A popular sub-area of the South, the Cauca region is world-renowned for exporting some of the best coffee in the world. Each crop is grown and harvested in volcanic-rich soil by indigenous groups from nearby rural communities, placing the power of coffee production back in the locals’ hands. The beans from this region are known for their nutty almond and sweet honeycomb notes. 

The Antioquia Region

As the second-largest coffee-producing region, you'll often find the Antioquia label on a bag when shopping for beans. Set in the Central North area, the beans from these farms are known for producing very smooth, medium-body cups of coffee that taste more like raw sugar, caramel, and dark chocolate than fruit. 

The Nariño Region

Anyone looking for an intensely aromatic cup of coffee will love the beans grown in the Nariño region of the South. These farms are almost perfectly in line with the equator, so the powerful level of sunshine in the high mountains leads to a very high acidity crop. Each bag of this type of Colombian coffee falls under a single category and is known for tangy herbal flavors and a juicy mouthfeel. 

The Huila Region

When people look for a trustworthy specialty coffee, they look towards the South for Huila region beans. In fact, many of the growers have won local and national competitions, solidifying its spot as a region that produces sought-after Colombian coffee. The beans can pack a powerful flavor punch ranging from smokey and woody to lime and sweet papaya.

The Sierra Nevada

Try beans from the North's premium region, the Sierra Nevada, for coffee with less acidity but a stronger body. The Indigenous farmers in this snow-topped mountain range use natural organic methods to grow and process each crop, resulting in a hazelnutty, dark chocolate profile. 

Colombian Supremo Beans Vs. Colombian Excelso Beans

With so many descriptor labels on a bag of beans, shopping for Colombian coffee can feel overwhelming. Supremo and Excelso describe the size of the coffee beans at hand. These terms can be tacked onto any bag, whether a Bourbon variety from the Huila region or a blend. 

Colombian Supremo beans must be sized through a Grade 17 or 18 sieve perforation. Excelso beans are much smaller and have different sieve requirements based on the export port. This doesn't affect the taste—though it may affect the price. 

A Few Frequently Asked Questions About Colombian Coffee

If the coffee from this amazingly beautiful part of the world has piqued your interest, you'll want to learn everything you can before buying a bag yourself. Find the answers to the most commonly asked questions to become a pro:

What's the Best Roast for Colombian Coffee?

When it comes to Colombian coffee, the roast level is an incredibly personal preference. Many people claim that a medium roast is the best option to experience authentic flavor. This level allows the bean's most prominent top notes, whether they be nutty or fruity, to shine through. Others claim that a light roast brings out the inherent sweetness of the arabica beans best. In the end, it's up to your palate to decide. 

What's the Best Brew Method for Colombian Coffee?

Colombian coffee is one of the most frequently purchased types of beans in the world for one simple reason: it can be brewed using a variety of methods and never fails to taste amazing. Experts recommend that you use a paper filter option to extract the subtle flavors and aromas in each cup.

The best method is one that allows you to control the water temperature, grounds ratio, and brewing time, such as the:

• Pour over
• French press
• AeroPress

Is All Colombian Coffee Single Origin?

While all Colombian coffee is known for its unique bean varietals, local and indigenous farming communities, and specific microclimate growing conditions, the term "Colombian" does not always equate to a single origin. If you're searching for a specific Colombian single-origin roast, make sure to take a closer look for that specific indicator on a bag of beans before buying.  

With countless distinct flavors and unique crops from each region, anyone can find Colombian coffee that tickles their fancy. Take your at-home coffee game from boring to exciting by trying a new bag of Colombian beans for yourself!