Characteristics of Colombian coffee beans Colombian coffee flavor

Colombia coffee is one of the few plain coffees sold worldwide under its name. In terms of quality, it has earned accolades that no other coffee can match. The country is the world's largest exporter of arabica coffee beans, while robert coffee is rarely grown. It is also the world's largest exporter of washed beans. Colombia is more concerned with product development and production promotion than other producing countries. It is this, coupled with its superior geographical and climatic conditions, that makes Colombia coffee delicious and famous all over the world.

The coffee-producing region of the country is located in the foothills of the Andes, where the climate is mild and the air humid. Colombia has three Cordilleras (sub-mountain system) running north-south, right into the Andes. Coffee is grown along the highlands of these mountains. The terraces provide a diverse climate, which means that harvest season occurs throughout the year and different types of coffee ripen at different times. And fortunately, unlike Brazil, Colombia doesn't have to worry about frost damage. There are approximately 2.7 billion coffee trees in Colombia, of which 66 per cent are grown in modern plantations and the rest in small, traditionally managed farms.

In the early 1960s, coffee production was about 600 kg per hectare, but now it has increased to about 900 kg, and individual farms can reach 2500 kg. However, quality assurance is the primary concern of the coffee industry. In 1927, Colombia established the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC), responsible for quality control. Although the association is a private company, it acts on behalf of the Government. In addition to organizing the industry, the association is responsible for raising funds in bumper years. Coffee prices have tended to fall over the past few years, and the association has nearly exhausted its reserves. INCA is also responsible for health care, education, road construction, hiring plant technicians, conducting surveys, monitoring product quality, directly handling 50 per cent of exports, hiring marketing personnel, etc. Like Kenya's National Coffee Management Association, it is a model for coffee organizations.

Coffee farmers in Colombia can sell all their produce to the Coffee Management Association at the official low price or to exporters, who may offer higher prices or not bid at all. In effect, the Coffee Control Council (FNC) controls exports to Europe, while coffee exports to the United States are mainly made through private exporters. However, all exports are subject to minimum export prices.