During WOC Geneva 2025 Café de Colombia was featured as a distinguished participant. Notable attention was given to Colombian coffee showcasing its quality and traditions. Of course, it stands to reason that when thinking of specialty coffee regions, Colombia will be in that list. Introduced by missionaries, coffee has become one of Colombia’s biggest exports after oil and contributes from 7- 8% of the country’s GDP. The entirety of coffee from growth to processing to consumption has become so deeply intertwined with the culture that one cannot imagine Colombia without the coffee. So, let’s talk about the history, significance and consumption of coffee in Colombia.
History of Colombian coffee
The coffee plant was introduced by the Jesuit missionaries in the 1700’s who came via the Spanish conquistadors. The oldest texts we have about the presence of coffee in the region comes from José Gumila, a Jesuit priest and then from Antonio Caballero y Góngora, the archbishop and viceroy of New Granada (Present day Colombia and Ecuador). They registered the presence of the plant during their missions in the northern side of the country. By the 1790’s coffee had gained popularity and spread throughout the country. Small scale commercial export began in the 1800’s increasing in the mid-19th century with the rise of international recognition and demand.
Coffee Production
Colombia is the third largest producer of coffee in the world and one of the top producers of Arabica coffee. Due to its geographic and climatic conditions, the entire country can produce coffee, specialty and otherwise. Part of the Coffee Belt which are the regions that are suitable for growing coffee, Colombia also has its own distinguishing regions called the Coffee Axis (Eje Cafetero) which is also known as the Coffee Triangle (Triangulo del Café). This area consists mainly of three districts/departments - Caldas, Risaralda and Quindío. Declared as a World Heritage Site for its importance in preserving multiple forms of traditional coffee growing and processing, it is also well known for the unique cultural festivals.
The coffee itself is reputed for being mild and having a well- balanced flavour profile. Taste notes can vary from region to region, ranging from citrusy and fruity notes like passionfruit, berries or lychee to spice based, nutty and more chocolatey notes. these notes depend on the region you acquire the coffee from, hence buying local to the region will let you experience a variety of different tastes. There are multiple coffee plant varieties as well such as Castillo, Bourbon, Caturra and many more. The most common processing methods used here are the washed or honey processing methods; there are also innovative processes such as fermenting the green beans with fruits to infuse their flavours to the beans.
When coffee is life… literally
Coffee is deeply intertwined with Colombia. From growth to processing and consumption, coffee is involved in every aspect of life. The coffee industry alone is such a big part of Colombian culture that they even have their own mascot for coffee.
Juan Valdez is a fictional character made by the Colombian Federation of Coffee Growers is used as an ingredient brand to denote that the coffee beans are only grown and harvested in Colombia. The character has become so popular that he is even referenced in advertisements, comics and movies. Different farmers are selected to represent him to increase the spirit of coffee distribution throughout the country.
So how do Colombians drink their coffee?
The most popular way to drink coffee in Colombia is the traditional Tinto. Meaning ‘Inky’, Tinto is a simple black coffee usually made using the pour over method and although not a necessity it is brewed in an iron pitcher called Olleta. When sweetened with panela sugar it is then called Tinto Campesino, other additions include spices like cinnamon or clove. The drink is usually made with lower grade coffees that flood the commercial Colombian coffee market but recent trends, globalisation and the rise of specialty coffee has shown increased demand for Tinto’s made with higher grade and specialty coffee. There is also an increase in specialty coffee shops and cafes which introduce more brewing methods and new flavours to the Colombian palate.
What’s in store?
Anticipated to have moderate growth for the next few years, Colombian coffee growers have been focusing on sustainability and innovation which makes the future look promising. Adaptability is the name of the game as challenges like climate change and recent regulations changes will rock the boat of coffee industries worldwide. Coffee requires a substantial amount of water to grow and fluctuating rainfall patterns will impact the coffee trees growth, especially in countries where the rainfall is their primary source of water. Recent regulations like EU Deforestation Regulations, is cracking down on commodities obtained by deforestation of land in its aim to minimise the EU’s contribution to deforestation. This might impact smaller farms who need to clear out their land in an attempt to increase coffee production. Increased focus on specialty coffee and proper management will determine how Colombia coffee will flourish.
