Colombia
Colombia is one of the largest coffee producers as well as the largest producer of Arabica in the world. Legend has it that the plants arrived in the country with the Jesuits in 1723. Coffee was then cultivated on a larger scale towards the end of the 19th century. A total of about two million people in Colombia live from coffee cultivation. Again and again we are full of joy in Colombia in search for the best coffe:) Our Columbian partners are handpicked, well chosen, local experts and learn more about them...
Colombia
Delightful taste
Coffee from Colombia has a pleasant richness and a good balance of sweetness and acidity. The notes range from nut and chocolate to flower and fruit. In parts, the coffee almost seems to have a tropical note. The different growing regions are easily distinguishable from each other in taste. The best beans in Colombia come from the Huila & Medellín region. They convince with a lot of body and aroma as well as a harmonious acid structure.
In Colombia, coffee is classified into three different quality grades. The common qualities are Supremo (very large beans) and Excelso (velvety, accentuated acidity). UGQ ('Usual Good Quality') is more average quality.
Quality at a fair price
Founded in 1927, the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia (also known as the National Federation of Coffee Growers, hence the abbreviation "FNC") is a large non-governmental organization. It supports the country's coffee producers and offers a wide range of services, regardless of the size of their land holdings or the volume of their production.
The marketing department of the FNC develops campaigns to promote not only the international consumption of Colombian coffee, but recently also the domestic consumption of Colombian specialty coffees.
Facts about the history
There are countless legends about the first coffee seeds in Colombia. What can be said with certainty is that coffee has become more than a simple plant for Colombians. It defines the lives of the more than 500,000 families that grow coffee. Coffee gives these 44 million people a reason to be proud of themselves and their country's product.
Already at the beginning of the 19th century, coffee was exported from Colombia for the first time. The destination country was the United States. After this export start and the later opening of the Panama Canal, Colombia had many new opportunities to sell coffee and the local coffee culture started to grow. Many small farmers were drawn to and around the Colombian Andes to grow coffee in hopes of a better life.
Today, Colombia is one of the largest coffee exporters in the world, ranking third after Brazil and Vietnam. More than 11 million bags are produced here each year, most of it by small farmers. Colombia is one of the most unique coffee regions in the world. Coffees from Colombia are known for full-bodied, full-bodied textures and perfectly balanced flavors.
Only Arabica is grown in Colombia. The fertile, volcanic soil provides the best conditions for growing coffees of the highest quality. A large part of the Colombian coffee regions have two harvest periods per year. This gives farmers here the opportunity to produce coffee all year round. These benefit mainly from the very favorable geographic and climatic conditions in Colombia.
More facts about Colombia
The Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia also guarantees a regulated purchase price for each coffee grown in Colombia. This regulation provides each of our farmers with some financial security. However, they also have the opportunity to find private buyers in order not to depend on the standardized commodity price. This should remove some of the market pressure and provide the coffee sector with a reliable income. For us, as specialists on the ground, the task now is to find the right mix for the market. We are not tired of traveling to Colombia again and again to meet our farmers in person and also to push and monitor our social projects. We love Colombia - we are sure that we have made a great selection and can spoil you with fascinating flavors of raspberries, Huba Bubba, berry mix, mango, stone fruit, etc..
Our Coffees from Colombia
Hulia
In Huila, Colombia, a coffee is grown that develops a distinctive character through roasting, with a good fullness, slightly chocolaty and a gentle acidity. For us, one of the biggest flavor surprises of recent years.
Cauca
Cauca is located in southwestern Colombia and is known for its very rich volcanic soils. The climate could not be better and therefore it is not surprising that many coffee lovers call this region the best in the world.
Risaralda
The Risaralda coffee region lies deep in the heart of the central Andes where volcanic soils, elevation, and climate create the perfect trifecta for producing amazing coffees.
Our expert Farmers in Huila, Cauca & Risaralda
In the middle of the coffee paradise of Huila, produces Alirio Galindez his "EL MOLINO" with his charming wife. On his farm "Vista Hermosa" near Salado Blanco at almost 1850 meters, he succeeds again and again quite outstanding results. At Alirio's Molino, the cherries are fermented in the pulp for 48 hours after harvesting and for another 60 hours in tanks after depupling. Then the cherries are dried in the sun for 15-20 days.
This special fermentation developed in this coffee a special and unique flavor profile.
Our second expert for "EL MOLINO"in HUILA is our dear Humberto Gomez. On his farm "CABUYAL" near Salado Blanco, so he is neighbor and good friend of Airlio, at almost 1750 meters is worked just as consistently and carefully as with his friend. At Humberto's Molino, the cherries are also fermented in the pulp for 48 hours after harvesting and for another 60 hours in tanks after depupling. Then the cherries are dried in the sun for 15-20 days.
This special fermentation developed in this coffee a special and unique flavor profile.
Jose Omar Guzman has been running the farm "Las Delicias" with his family for many years. Jose's family has been growing coffee for generations. His farm near Oporapa, is located at almost 1800 meters above sea level. One feels on his Finca like on a balcony, from which one enjoys a marvelous view over the valleys of Oporapa. It is therefore not surprising that he has christened his coffee "El Balcon de Huila". His "Balcon" is fermented in a very special way. After depulping, the cherries go into tanks for 50 hours to ferment. Drying on patios then continues for about another 20 days. This results in a pleasant acidity, a smooth body and the Balcon has a very juicy mouthfeel. Furthermore, we find notes of lime, stone fruit, black tea, lavender and brown sugar, Yes!
Juliana Guevara has actually been running her farm "Las Terrazas" near La Argentina since she was born. She was born into a typical Colombian coffee family. Together with her family, she is deeply rooted in the coffee business with both hands. Mystical is the area and therefore it is not surprising that a very special name was found for a very special coffee. El Mistico!!! This coffee is grown by different small farmers in the southern part of Huila. What makes it special is the blend of 3 different Bourbon varieties and Tabi, which is related to Bourbon.
On the fincas Las Terrazas & El Oasis Juliana Guevara & Yan Franco Huelgos carefully take care of this bourbon blend. After depulping, the cherries go into tanks for 48 hours to ferment. After washing off the mucilage, the beans go to patios to dry for about 15 days. Result: A very complex acidity & very good balance -notes of oranges, raspberries, peaches & cherries!!!
Juan Carlos Cuellar, runs his farm " Morelia" near Oporapa for many years. he has no black soul, but his specialty is the "ALMA NEGRA" - so translated the sharp soul :) At 1800 meters above sea level, under the beautiful Colombian sun, a very special variety thrives under his magic hands. Just an Alma negra! Its body and intensity create the feeling as if this coffee had a "soul" and a secret yet to be discovered by the senses. The farmers around Juan in Oporapa, in the south of Huila, create this unique profile.
Juan Carlos Cuellar, at the careful work. Here we see him at the inspection with a smile on his face. He is satisfied all around. Near Oporapa, Huila, this Caturra-Colombia is grown by quite few coffee farmers. The cultivation altitude varies between 1400 and 2000m. Due to the exceptional geographical location, this coffee has developed a truly special flavor profile. Our Almanegra from Juan Carlos & Albaney Fajarado from Pitalito, has an extraordinary body and intensity that have inspired us at the cupping table from the beginning.
Here we see the wife of Marceil Calderon, who has been assisting her husband for years. She also loves las Frutas and the family lives and works on their own farm "Cedral" in the middle of the best growing area of Salado Blanco.
Due to the double fermentation at "las Frutas" this Caturra becomes an absolute fruit bomb. The taste is a really typical fruity-sweet Colombian. One of our favorite coffees of the 2020/21 harvest. We find a very smooth body, fine acidity, very sweet - floral, strawberries, tropical fruits, peach!
Here we see the wife of Marceil Calderon, who has been assisting her husband for years. She also loves las Frutas and the family lives and works on their own farm "Cedral" in the middle of the best growing area of Salado Blanco.
Due to the double fermentation at "las Frutas" this Caturra becomes an absolute fruit bomb. The taste is a really typical fruity-sweet Colombian. One of our favorite coffees of the 2020/21 harvest. We find a very smooth body, fine acidity, very sweet - floral, strawberries, tropical fruits, peach!
Our social projekts in Colombia
We want everyone to be well. So we set out and started our social engagement on site. We are very confident that we can continue to support our local farmers and their families in the future. With every sale of our coffee from Colombia, a small building block is added to our project.
Projects we support :)
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Next Generation
Giving back to the community is a must. Local schools in three towns in the Risaralda region were supported through extracurricular activities for their students.
It is always a great concern for us to also push the school component and education for the next generation at our local partners. Our philosophy of fruitful cooperation has already borne much fruit.
Woman Power
To ensure gender equality in the coffee business, 40 women workers from Tolima are taking part in a training program and we are providing financial support. Above all, the lives of women in the coffee-growing regions have not always been easy. A country that has been severely affected by many crises can very well use help from the outside. We help exactly where it burns.
Clean water
Two studies were conducted to find out the needs of the Florencia community in the Caldas region of Colombia.
The results showed that a major problem was the housing conditions of the coffee workers. Also, an environmental impact study showed that there was a sewage problem. For all these reasons, a water source protection project is being developed. Septic tanks, wash basins and baths are being built for the producers and their families to prevent sewage from being discharged into the rivers.
Sustainibility
This is a community of 200 producers in Colombia. Looking for a way to help them, the opportunity was found to help them implement better practices in their farms to increase productivity. All of this is accomplished by offering technical assistance, training and in-kind donations. All of our initiatives are guided by sustainable principles.