Diversity of Colombian refined coffee varieties Colombia's natural diversity can prevent coffee pests

More than 50 per cent of Colombia is natural forest. It has 55,000 species of plants and animals. According to the Financial Times, 10 percent of the world's biodiversity can be found in the Amazon region of Colombia. The biodiversity of Colombia is astounding. You can taste it in every cup of coffee.

But these are not just impressive facts. They are also part of the reason why my country produces good coffee. It shapes flavor characteristics. It can even prevent pests.

Climate in Colombia

As the gateway to South America, Colombia's coast is kissed by the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. More importantly, there are plenty of inland waters. The Andes range runs from south to north along the western part of the country, making it mountainous. As a tropical country, Colombia has no seasons. Temperature depends only on altitude: the higher the altitude, the colder the weather. This unique geography means that the country has 314 ecosystems. This gives coffee a wider variety, which means there are plenty of birds, plants and animals that can help it grow well.

Coffee in Colombia

Coffee is an important source of income for the Colombia economy. In fact, according to The Economist, it is the fifth-largest source of foreign exchange earnings. It grows between 900 and nearly 3,000 masl-sometimes even beyond those ranges. In such a biodiversity-rich country, it coexists with wildlife, livestock and more crops such as tropical fruits, sugar cane, cocoa and bananas.

Despite the risk of pests, this diversity can help it grow organically.

Biodiversity: Natural insect repellents

Coffee borer beetle, Broca, has caused damage to coffee crops around the world. It crawls into coffee cherries to lay eggs. Then, once the eggs hatch, the larvae eat the cherries and destroy the beans.

However, if farmers produce shade-grown coffee at about 21 degrees Celsius (1,300 masl on average), then they can use the microscopic fungus Beauveria bassiana. It spreads through the natural moisture of forests and kills insects by attacking their respiratory systems. It's a way to fight coffee borers without endangering consumers 'and farmers' health or ecosystems.

Similarly, aromatic plants are natural insect repellents for crickets and beetles, both of which like to eat young coffee trees.

More benefits of growing coffee in forests

Most importantly, growing coffee in forests can provide useful nutrients to the soil, such as nitrogen, and even provide an additional source of income, such as fruit.

In Yalí, Antioquia Department, northwest of Colombia, you will come to Finca San Gabriel. This farm is located at 1,200 masl and benefits from forests. Coffee trees are protected by shade and high humidity. In addition, the temperature drops by about 16 degrees Celsius at night, causing cherries to be sweeter.

When the weather is dry, you'll see monkeys coming to the land to eat guava, a sweet tropical fruit whose trees are home to ants, termites, worms, millions of bugs, birds, and even small mammals. You can also discover some of the more than 1,900 species of birds and drink our bird-loving coffee. Colombia has more than 1,900 bird species, and if you want to spend a quiet time in the countryside of Colombia, I suggest you close your eyes first. Listen to the millions of sounds made by wind, grass, trees, insects and birds. Smell the sweet aroma of fruit and flowers, coupled with moist soil. The biodiversity of Colombia is astounding.