Venezuela’s Forgotten Coffee Regions & Classic Varieties

Venezuela is better known for oil than coffee—but that wasn’t always the case. Once a significant coffee exporter, the country let its coffee farms decline during the oil boom. Now, long-neglected estates in regions like Táchira and Mérida are making a quiet comeback, growing classic varieties that specialty roasters and coffee historians are starting to notice again.

Venezuela was introduced to coffee in 1730 from Martinique, and by the 19th century had notable plantings of Typica and Bourbon. Though production plummeted during the oil era, some estates never stopped growing coffee—and today, small farms in Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo are reviving those heritage varieties.

Where Is Coffee Grown in Venezuela?

The most recognized coffee-growing region is Táchira State, in southwestern Venezuela. Though “Táchira” is often used as a blanket term for Venezuelan coffee, the best-known farms are actually located in specific towns within the state. Key producing areas include:

• San Cristóbal de Táchira – home to Montebello estate
• Rubio de Táchira – known for Miramar
• Timote de Mérida – source of Granija
• Santa Ana de Táchira – where Ala Granija is grown

Other historical Venezuelan coffee regions and port names associated with export include Maracaibos (the port), Mérida, Trujillo, Santa Filomena, and Cúcuta.

The Legacy Estates Still in Production

Some historic family-owned farms have survived decades of low national focus on coffee. One example is the Pulido family farm in Mérida, managed by Pablo and Luisa Helena Pulido. Though the estate was allowed to decrease in size during the 1980s, the family continued harvesting coffee from old Bourbon trees while also planting new ones. This has helped preserve Bourbon variety genetics in the region and maintain limited but high-quality production.

Another example is the Jean and Andrés Boulton estate in Turgua, near Caracas. Though Caracas itself was once a noted coffee zone, production had declined—until recent efforts helped revive Typica cultivation in the area.

What Coffee Varieties Are Grown in Venezuela?

Venezuela’s traditional coffee plantings were dominated by Typica and Bourbon. These two Arabica varieties were among the first to be cultivated in the country and remain central to its coffee identity:

• Typica: Known for clean, balanced cups with bright acidity and subtle sweetness. It was one of the original varieties brought to Latin America and is valued for its clarity.
• Bourbon: Produces a sweeter, more complex cup than Typica, with notes of caramel, stone fruit, and often higher sweetness due to its larger bean size and slightly higher yield potential. Both red and yellow mutations of Bourbon have been cultivated in Venezuela.

Bourbon, in particular, comes in multiple forms. Red Bourbon (where the cherry turns red when ripe) is known for bright acidity and wine-like qualities, while Yellow Bourbon (ripening to an orange-yellow) typically offers a rounder, smoother cup with notes of caramel and nuts. These genetic lines have influenced many modern Latin American coffees, though their presence in Venezuela has diminished over time—except in a few remaining estates.

Who Exports Venezuelan Coffee Now?

Today, most Venezuelan coffee is exported to Russia and Colombia, where it is often repackaged. However, a growing number of small, rebuilt farms are beginning to export directly. These operations tend to focus on high-quality lots from old Typica and Bourbon trees, aiming for niche international markets—especially those that value heritage varieties and single-origin stories.

While large-scale production remains limited, the ongoing work by families like the Pulidos and the revival of Typica in areas like Turgua show that Venezuela’s coffee legacy isn’t entirely lost. With increasing interest in rare varieties and historical growing regions, Venezuelan coffee may soon reclaim a small but notable spot on the global specialty stage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Venezuela’s best coffee grown?

The most recognized coffee-growing region in Venezuela is Táchira State, particularly towns like San Cristóbal, Rubio, and Santa Ana. Though “Táchira” is commonly used as a general label for Venezuelan coffee, the finest cups usually come from specific estates within these towns, such as Montebello and Miramar.

What coffee varieties are native to Venezuela?

Venezuela’s coffee origins are rooted in Typica and Bourbon. These Arabica varieties were introduced in the 18th century and became the backbone of early Venezuelan coffee farming. Bourbon, in particular, has several mutations (Red and Yellow) that have historically contributed to the country’s cup profiles.

Are there still active coffee farms in Venezuela?

Yes. Although national coffee production declined during the oil boom, several family-owned estates never stopped operating. Notable examples include the Pulido family farm in Mérida, which maintains both old Bourbon trees and new plantings, and the Boulton estate in Turgua, which grows Typica near Caracas.

Where does Venezuelan coffee go now?

Most Venezuelan coffee is currently exported to Russia and Colombia, where it is often repackaged. However, a growing number of small farms are starting to export directly, targeting specialty markets that appreciate heritage varieties like Typica and Bourbon.

What happened to Venezuela’s coffee industry?

Venezuela was an early coffee producer, starting in 1730, but as oil became the dominant export in the 20th century, coffee farming was largely abandoned. Many estates were neglected, and production dropped significantly—though some farms continued operating at a small scale.

What is special about Bourbon coffee from Venezuela?

Bourbon coffee grown in Venezuela, especially the Red and Yellow variants, is known for its balanced cup with good sweetness and body. While many Venezuelan Bourbons were historically grown at lower altitudes, the surviving examples—often on family estates—can still deliver nuanced, classic profiles.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans with Bourbon Heritage

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