The magical beauty of Coffee Mountain Town in Colombia

Located in the Andes, the central part of Colombia is a collection of excellent scenery, and it is also one of the most important coffee producing areas in Colombia, whether it is hiking in the mountains or savoring freshly baked coffee on a coffee estate. it's a Colombian experience that can't be missed.

Colombians call black coffee Tinto, and there are mobile coffee stalls on the streets, injecting caffeine into you all the time. Pre-brewed coffee is usually packed in thermos and sold in small plastic cups, which is very casual and can be described as the national drink of Colombia. People who taste Tinto with expectations are often disappointed, and the thin taste doesn't seem to match Colombia's reputation for producing the best coffee in the world. It is said that Colombia's best coffee beans are exported to Europe and the United States, and locals often use a simple drip method to make coffee. If you want to drink coffee with a better taste, you have to go to a regular cafe or restaurant.

A trip to the coffee area (Zona Cafetera) in central Colombia is also a good name for coffee. With an average elevation of about 2000 meters, it is located in a valley at the foot of the Andes and is one of the main coffee growers in Colombia, of which Salento is the most popular with tourists. The mountain town is quite beautiful, with chessboard streets full of old civil houses, churches and squares, integrated with the surrounding green mountains and forests. The town has a large population engaged in coffee farming, and because of its high altitude, high humidity and fertile land, this area is an excellent place to grow Arabica coffee (Arabica).

Coffee production is the third in the world.

Colombia's economic lifeline has always been closely linked to coffee. Coffee beans are believed to have been brought to Colombia by missionaries in the mid-16th century. In 1835, Colombia began to export coffee to the United States. Colombia currently ranks third in coffee production in the world, after Brazil and Vietnam. According to the International Coffee Organization (International Coffee Organization), Colombia produced 8523000 bags in 2010 (19467000 bags in Vietnam, 60 kg each), and Colombia's coffee exports in 2010 totaled US $2.2 billion (about HK $17.2 billion). Many people engaged in coffee farming are traditional small-scale homework. Due to the unpredictable climate and falling coffee prices, many coffee farms have also begun to transform and open to tourists, while operating residential accommodation.

Guest appearance as a coffee worker at the manor.

The mountains around Saranto are dotted with coffee farms, which visitors can visit for a small fee. Most of the staff guides only speak Spanish, but through "visual inspection" (the tour guides compare hands and feet), they can probably understand the process of growing and producing coffee. Due to climate, soil and geography, Colombia produces Arabica coffee, which tastes better and costs more, and can be harvested twice a year. Asked why Colombian coffee beans are so famous, the tour guide said that local coffee is picked manually and carefully selected to ensure that the coffee beans are of high quality. Coffee beans are also washed, soaked in water can further distinguish the advantages and disadvantages of coffee beans, bad and unripe coffee beans will float on the surface.

After the visit, the staff immediately made a pot of coffee for us. Sitting in a position with a view, surrounded by green mountains and green waters, slowly tasting Colombian coffee with low acidity and smooth entrance, a coffee-scented afternoon passed away. In general, manors also provide accommodation, and even welcome tourists to join their work. Those who have time and do not mind spending money on hardship can consider doing short-term volunteer work here.

Colombians are so easygoing and playful that even the tourism board's slogan is silent from ​​: "the only danger is that you plan to stay." "(The only risk is wanting to stay), and the scenic Saranto does have the urge to stay for a few more days.

Surreal scenery in the valley

If coffee is not your cup of tea, Saranto is also a good place to experience the natural scenery on foot. Valle de Cocora, half an hour's drive from Saranto, is a valley full of Wax Palm trees, and a five-hour hiking route gives you a sense of Colombia's natural scenery undisturbed by too many tourists. Walking in the misty forest gurgling water, occasionally meet the local mountain people riding horses, they will always take the initiative to say good day to you ​​. In the depths of the mountain forest, there is a lodging for hikers to rest, full of colorful flowers and attracting hummingbirds in splendid clothes.

Walking out of the mountains and walking along the misty valleys, rows of palm wax trees guard the valley like sentinels. The Colombian national tree can grow to 60 meters and is the tallest palm wax tree in the world. The straight tree trunk points to the sky with a long and thin length, which is quite graceful. The surging fog makes the mountains and forests looming, adding to the mystery. As soon as the sun came out, the fog cleared away, revealing the breathtaking scenery, which was soon confiscated by clouds and fog, and waited patiently for a few minutes, and the scenery would suddenly come to us, fickle and surreal. No wonder the so-called magic in Latin American literature was born in this land.

Attention: Lulo is required for colorful fruits.

When traveling to Colombia, the taste buds are the most unforgettable local fruits. In the market, you can always see all kinds of brightly colored and unheard of fruits, including tree tomatoes, red durian and so on. These fruits are generally made into fruit juices, which can quench thirst and relieve summer heat. Don't miss the ubiquitous Lulo, a persimmon-like fruit that can only be found in Colombia. The Lulo rind is tough and covered with fine thorns, and the juice is delicious when beaten with fresh milk.