14/07/2024
Colombia's name is almost synonymous with world-class coffee. After Brazilian and Vietnamese coffee beans, Colombia produces the most coffee. This sector provides the livelihood of more than 500,000 farming families, due to the high demand, most of the coffee beans are transported abroad and roasted there as well.
Colombia has an ideal climate and geography for coffee cultivation. Cultivation began in the early 1800s with the Typica coffee bush belonging to the Arabica species. As the territory of the country is located along the Equator, which ensures stable, warm temperatures throughout the year. In addition, the altitude of the mountainous areas, especially the Andes, the fertile volcanic soil and the abundant rainfall all contribute to the optimal growth of coffee bushes. The arabica coffee bush thrives only at an altitude of 900-2000 meters above sea level. The plant does not like excessively high temperatures, so 15-25 C is ideal for it.
Did you know that the coffee plant can grow 2.5-4.5 meters high, its leaves are elongated, it produces its first white flowers at the age of 3 years, but the first cherry-like fruits can be harvested at the age of about 5 years. The color of the fruits first changes to red and then to purple, but the exact color also depends on the variety: there are many different varieties within Arabica.
Arabica coffee is the most popular type of coffee in the world. The fruits do not ripen at the same time: that's why really good coffee is harvested by hand, so that only the seeds of fruits that are ripe enough get into the cup. The essence of the coffee cherry is inside: the core of the fruit is made up of two pieces of green coffee beans. The annual yield of a mature arabica shrub is about 1.5-3 kg.
Arabica coffee beans have a flat, slightly oval shape. Its caffeine content is between 0.3-1.5%. Thanks to the lower caffeine content, its taste is less bitter than robusta, and its acidity is lower. Light or medium roasting is ideal for it, as this is the best way to preserve the many aromas and flavors that the coffee beans preserve.
Fragrant, rich, full of flavors, in a word, sublime: if it is processed with a suitable roasting profile and, of course, freshly ground coffee. These factors are vital if you really want to drink good coffee.
Ideally, therefore, Arabica coffee:
- rich in flavors: you can encounter fruity, chocolatey, caramel, floral aromas, but you can also feel spicy undertones
- sweeter: higher sugar and fat content
- not bitter
- its acidity may vary depending on the variety
Colombia boasts three main coffee growing regions: the central, northern and southern regions. Each region has different altitudes, climates and soil properties, which give different flavors to the coffee.
- Central region: here you can find the famous "Coffee Triangle", which includes the counties of Risaralda, Caldas and Quindío. The coffee here is often moderately acidic, with chocolate and nutty notes
- Northern region: in the counties of Antioquia and Santander, the coffee is less acidic, often sweeter, with caramel and fruity notes
- Southern region: coffee grown in Narino, Huila and Cauca counties with strongly acidic, citrus and floral notes
The processing of coffee beans is a crucial step that greatly affects the taste of the finished coffee. After harvesting, the coffee beans are processed using various methods to remove the outer skin and pulp, leaving only the pure coffee beans. After processing, the beans are dried in the sun until they reach the optimum moisture content. The coffee beans are then stored before being sent for roasting.
Roasting makes it possible to bring out the original flavor of the coffee from the raw coffee beans.
Colombia pays serious attention to sustainable coffee cultivation and fair trade practices. many Colombian coffee farms work with organizations that support environmentally friendly methods and ensure fair wages for workers. This not only increases the quality of the coffee, but also improves the quality of life of the producers and their communities
You can find out how much of a coffee fan you are in our coffee quiz :)
1) What type of coffee is grown in the largest amount worldwide?
A. arabica
B. robusta
2) Under what altitude conditions does the best quality Arabica coffee grow?
A. 800-1200 meters above sea level
B. 1200-1800 meters above sea level
3) What is the name of the Colombian coffee producing region?
A. Coffee Triangle
B. Tolima
4) In which city is the largest coffee trading center in Colombia?
A. Bogota
B. Medellin
Author: VCL Team
14/07/2024
