An introduction to the Coffee Culture in Colombia

The National Coffee Management Association of Colombia, like Kenya's National Management Association, is a model for coffee organizations. 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 status of coffee in Colombia is illustrated by the fact that all vehicles entering the country must be sprayed to avoid inadvertent disease and damage to coffee trees.

Colombia is blessed with Atlantic and Pacific ports, which help to reduce the cost of transporting coffee. It is the only country in South America that has this condition. The main productive areas of Colombia are located in the Central and Eastern Mountains. The most important plantations distributed along the Central Mountains are located in Medellin, Armenia and Manizales. Of the three regions mentioned above, Medellín produces the best quality coffee and the highest price, characterized by full grains, rich nutrition, rich aroma and moderate acidity. These three areas are collectively known as MAM.

Colombia coffee is often described as having a silky smooth taste. Of all coffees, it is the best balanced, soft, smooth and ready to drink coffee. Colombia coffee is one of the few plain coffees sold in the world under its name. In terms of quality, it has won praise that no other coffee can match.

Colombia coffee is divided into more than 200 grades, which means that coffee is very regional. The coffee-producing region of the country is located in the Andes, where the climate is mild and the air is humid. Colombia has three Cordillera mountains running north-south, right into the Andes. Coffee is grown along the highlands of these mountains. The terraces provide a diverse climate, with harvest seasons throughout the year and different types of coffee maturing at different times. And fortunately, unlike Brazil, Colombia doesn't have to worry about frost damage. Colombia has approximately 700 million recorded coffee trees, 66 per cent of which are grown in modern plantations and the rest in small traditionally managed farms. Colombia is located in northwestern South America, bordering the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Panama in the northwest, Venezuela in the east, Brazil in the southeast, Peru in the south, and Ecuador in the southwest.

Coffee culture in Colombia

Coffee culture in Colombia

Coffee was first introduced to Colombia in 1808 by a priest from the French Antilles via Venezuela. Today the country is the second largest coffee producer after Brazil, the world's largest exporter of Arabica coffee beans and the world's largest exporter of washed coffee beans.