Venezuela’s Forgotten Specialty Coffee Farms

Venezuela may be known globally for oil, but high in its Andean mountains, a quieter legacy thrives: coffee. Once a significant coffee exporter, the country saw its coffee farms abandoned during the oil boom. Now, long-neglected estates in regions like Táchira and Mérida are being restored, and old Typica and Bourbon trees are once again producing distinctive cups. But what makes Venezuelan coffee worth rediscovering today?

In short: Venezuela’s best coffees come from the southwestern Táchira region, though many are labelled generically. Key estate-grown varieties include Montebello (San Cristóbal), Miramar (Rubio), and Granija (Timote), alongside historic ports like Maracaibos and farms such as those run by the Pulido family near Mérida. These coffees mostly go to Russia and Colombia for repackaging—but some small farms now export directly.

The Rise, Decline, and Slow Return of Venezuelan Coffee

Coffee arrived in Venezuela as early as 1730, introduced from Martinique. For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was a key agricultural export. However, when oil took over as the dominant industry in the 20th century, coffee farming was largely abandoned. Most plantations were neglected, and the country’s role in global coffee trade dwindled. In recent years, some estates have begun rehabilitating old farms and planting new trees, slowly bringing high-quality coffee production back.

Key Coffee-Producing Regions and Notable Estates

The most recognized coffee-growing area is Táchira State, in southwest Venezuela. Though “Táchira” is often used as a blanket term for Venezuelan coffee regardless of true origin, the region—especially areas like San Cristóbal, Rubio, and Santa Ana—has historically produced some of the country’s finest coffees. Other notable regions include Mérida (with estates like the Pulido family farm), Trujillo, and the port city of Maracaibo, which gave its name to the export-grade Maracaibos. Farms such as those managed by Jean and Andrés Boulton in Turgua also cultivate Typica varieties.

One prominent example is the Pulido family’s estate in Mérida, originally a large operation that was scaled down. Since taking over in the early 1980s, they have maintained old Bourbon trees while planting new ones, preserving genetic diversity and reviving estate-level production.

Venezuela’s Historic Coffee Varieties and Current Exports

Venezuela’s coffee portfolio includes classic varieties such as Typica and Bourbon. Specific estate-grown coffees like Montebello (from San Cristóbal), Miramar (from Rubio), Granija (from Timote), and Ala Granija (from Santa Ana) are recognised for their quality. Other regional names tied to historical output include Maracaibos, Mérida, Trujillo, Santa Filomena, and Cúcuta. While much of the production is now exported to Russia and Colombia for repackaging, a growing number of small farms are beginning to export directly, reclaiming their place in the specialty market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best coffee grown in Venezuela?

The most renowned coffee in Venezuela comes from Táchira State, particularly around towns like San Cristóbal, Rubio, and Santa Ana. Though the name “Táchira” is often applied to Venezuelan coffee generally, the region’s high altitudes and historical estates produce some of the country’s most distinct cups.

What coffee varieties are grown in Venezuela?

Venezuela grows traditional Arabica varieties, mainly Typica and Bourbon. Estates such as those in Mérida and Táchira maintain these heritage cultivars, including old Bourbon trees that the Pulido family has preserved and expanded since the 1980s.

Do Venezuelans still produce coffee?

Yes, though coffee production drastically declined during the oil boom, it is now slowly being revived. Many old farms are being rehabilitated and new trees planted, with some small estates resuming direct exports after years of shipping beans mainly to Colombia and Russia for repackaging.

Are there any famous coffee farms in Venezuela?

Yes, including the Pulido family estate in Mérida, which has been scaled down but maintains both old Bourbon trees and new plantings. Other notable areas include farms in Táchira (like those producing Montebello and Miramar) and the Maracaibos port region.

Where does Venezuelan coffee end up?

Most Venezuelan coffee is currently exported to Russia and Colombia, where it is often repackaged. However, an increasing number of small farms are starting to export directly as production slowly recovers.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Venezuelan Coffee Fans

While FrontStreet Coffee doesn’t roast Venezuelan beans, fans of heritage typica and bourbon profiles will enjoy our Brazil Queen Manor Yellow Bourbon. Grown at 1400m in Brazil, it offers creamy, peanutty sweetness with bright acidity and a clean finish—echoing the balanced cup profile of Venezuela’s historic bourbon trees. For a red-fruited alternative, try our Brazil Red Bourbon, known for its winey brightness and nutty depth, roasted to highlight its vibrant fruit notes. Both beans showcase the kind of balanced, sweet profiles rooted in bourbon heritage that Venezuelan farms historically produced. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.