Colombia as a coffee country

In the pre-Columbian era, the country was inhabited by indigenous peoples with varying levels of civilization and organization. The oldest discovered remains of human habitation date back 16,400 years. Around 3500 BC, indigenous peoples were hunters and nomadic farmers, inhabiting the sea and river coasts. With the arrival of corn as a food source in the 2nd century BC, groups began to settle in the Andes region. These early peoples were primarily known for their extensive irrigation and drainage systems for agricultural land, which would later have an enormous impact on the spread of coffee as an agricultural product.

The Spaniard Rodrigo de Bastidas was the first to land on the Colombian coast in 1500, but it was not until 1536, under the leadership of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada and Sebastián de Belalcázar, that modern-day Colombia was discovered. The harsh Spanish regime and the highly contagious diseases unwittingly introduced by the Spanish led to a sharp decline in the indigenous population. For this reason, African slaves were brought to Colombia to perform work in the mines and on the plantations.

The coffee plant spread in Colombia around 1790 and was probably first introduced to Colombia by the Jesuits in 1723. The oldest text about the presence of coffee in Colombia dates from 1730. The priest José Gumilla writes in his book about the Orinoco about coffee plants "near where the Meta river flows into the Orinoco."

Where are coffee beans grown in Colombia?

Colombia is located in the northwest of South America and borders Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador, and to the west, Panama. Its territory extends from the Amazon rainforest in the southeast to the river deltas and coastal areas in the north and west. Large cities such as Bogota, Medellín, and Cali are located high in the Andes Mountains. Due to the great diversity in altitude, there are several different climate zones, and seasons in Colombia are characterized more by rainfall than by temperature changes.

Broadly speaking, there are five areas distinguishable by climate and landscape: the Andes in the west, where most of the population lives; the Caribbean coast; the Pacific coast; the plains of the Orinoco; and the Amazon rainforest, which covers 54% of Colombia's surface area.

Export of coffee beans

The first coffee was planted in the east of the country. The priest Francisco Romero had a great influence on the spread of the plant in the northeastern region of Colombia. After the confessions of parishioners from Salazar, he asked them to plant coffee as penance. Although Colombia started cultivating coffee early, exports only began in the mid-19th century. Due to the new opportunities offered by exports, many coffee farmers switched to cultivating tobacco, quinine, and leather between 1850 and 1857.

The economic crisis at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century and the 1000-day war in the early 20th century posed major challenges for coffee farmers. Due to the turbulent economy and the colonization of new areas in the central and western regions around Antioquia, Caldas, Cauca, and in the northern region of Tolima, western Colombia became the country's main coffee region. This change benefited the smaller coffee plantations that were just entering the market. Cultivating coffee had become an attractive option for local farmers, who normally could not use their land for extended periods due to the slash-and-burn method.

Characteristics of Colombian coffee beans

The coffee produced in Colombia is known worldwide for its mild, balanced taste. With an average production of 11.5 million bags, this South American country is the third largest coffee-producing country, after Brazil and Vietnam. When considering only Arabica, Colombia ranks first. Colombia's "Coffee Cultural Landscape" has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Unlike many African and Asian countries, where coffee is often dried in the cherry, in Colombia, coffee is primarily washed. Colombia produces only Arabica, mainly the Typica and Bourbon varieties, but also Caturra and Maragogype. Coffee cherries are harvested twice a year. The main harvest takes place between September and December, depending on the region, and the smaller "mitaca" harvest between March and June. Many Colombian coffees are Fair Trade or certified by the Rainforest Alliance. Due to the diversity of climates, coffee from Colombia can contain deep chocolate notes and an aroma of nuts, or light notes of fruit and flowers. Because Colombian coffee is relatively mild, contains several different aromas, and has a good balance of sweetness, acidity, and body, it is appreciated by many people. The mild taste of Colombian coffee is ideal for espresso because the coffee does not easily become bitter with a dark roast.

Coffee as culture

In 1927, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia was founded to promote the production and export of primarily small coffee farms. The federation is best known for the "Juan Valdez" trademark, which depicts a coffee farmer transporting a bag of coffee on his donkey.

Colombia's pride in its coffee is evident in the National Coffee Park, located near Montenegro, established by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia.

The park consists of two parts and includes a museum and an exhibition on the history, culture, and growth process, as well as an amusement park with various shows and roller coasters.

More than twenty percent of the produced coffee is consumed by Colombians themselves. When you order a coffee in Colombia, you usually have two choices: "tinto," or black coffee, or with milk, which is called "café" here. "¿Quieres un tintico?" (Would you like a small coffee?) is one of the most common questions you'll hear when walking the streets of Colombia.

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