When it comes to producing coffee, certain parts of the world are responsible for most beans that we drink here in the UK and other countries.
One of these is Colombia, which is recognised as being the third biggest coffee producer in the world. In fact, if we look back at 2016, then Colombia was responsible for 810,000 metric tonnes of coffee being produced. Of which, around 75% made their way out of the country and to the rest of the world.
Colombia is also one of those countries that you instantly relate to coffee production and is world-famous. Much like its neighbour, Brazil. But, what makes the coffee special, how and where is it grown, and what else makes Colombia such a wonderful country?
What makes Colombian Coffee so good?
When it comes to growing and producing amazing tasting coffee, you are going to need to have three things: great climate, the perfect soil and just the right amount of rainfall. When you think about all the things that Colombia does have, it is easy to see why it produces coffee loved the world over.
Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
Geography and climate
As we have already covered, there are three things that you need to have in order to produce excellent tasting coffee; and Colombia has all of them. It is thought that coffee will do best in locations with around 200cm of rainfall in a year and be grown in parts of the world that never see below freezing temperatures.
Something that Colombia is able to offer. The terrain here is mountainous, which not only allows for a milder climate but plenty of rainfall and lots of sunlight too. They also grow their beans mainly on steep slopes, which, whilst making the most of the above things, also provides the plants with shade when they need it.
When you consider this, it is easy to see why it is able to grow such great tasting coffee.
Climate change
It’s irrefutable that our global climate is changing. Signs of this change can be seen throughout the world but nowhere more so than how it’s effecting coffee growing in Colombia.
Coffee growers in Colombia are finding that it’s getting harder to produce the same quantities of coffee as in previous years and they’re having to move their plants further and further up the mountains to get the ideal climates.
It’s the start of a global coffee crisis that needs a global response.
Harvesting
Of course, you will need to have the ideal conditions actually to grow your coffee, but you also need to make sure that you harvest the beans in the right way. There are somewhere in the region of 600,000 coffee producers in Colombia, and if you ask them their harvesting methods, they will tell you that they harvest by hand. Yes, by hand!
This may sound like a lot of hard work, but they can make sure that they are perfect by handpicking their beans. They want beans that are not green, that are not unripe, and that, of course, are not overripe too.
Sure, the coffee pickers end up with sore and blistered fingers, but they do it to ensure that Colombian coffee keeps its good name around the world.
The world-famous arabica beans
In the world of coffee beans, two main varieties are grown and enjoyed. These are arabica and robusta (although it is worth noting that new species are also produced under these two umbrella beans.
Something that sets Colombia apart is the type of bean that they produce. They are one of the only coffee-producing countries in the world that creates only 100% arabica beans.
What is worth knowing is that arabica beans are usually seen as the superior quality bean. It contains much less caffeine than the other types (sometimes as much as half) and has a lighter taste which is much sweeter than the different varieties, especially if you know how to treat your coffee beans and make the right cup properly.
Apart from the coffee; tell me more about Colombia
Of course, you want to know more about how coffee is produced in Colombia; else, you wouldn’t be here. But, it is also essential to learn more about the country away from the world of coffee.
Colombia is not a country that you will instantly think of when it comes to taking a holiday, but this is largely down to some of the countries troubles that have been a big part of its colourful history. However, that doesn’t mean that Colombia isn’t a charming country packed full of character.
This is particularly true when you consider the capital city Bogota. Sure, it could be seen as somewhat rough around the edges, but this is true for any major city worldwide. The city itself is vibrant and is definitely on the rise, with new restaurants, amazing hotels and a raft of shopping opportunities too.
Another city that has been reborn after a bad past is Medellin. Voted the most innovative city in 2013, it is a place that is designed to welcome tourists and show them everything that is amazing about Colombia.
Away from the cities, Colombia also has so many other types of the landscape for you to explore. Salt mines, heritage railways, hills, mountains and even a national park. All of these unique places can be explored in Colombia and give you the opportunity to see just what it has to offer aside from a fantastic cup of coffee.
So, next time you are settling down to enjoy your favourite roast, why not think about where it might have come from?
It might not have been Colombia; it may have been one of the other world-famous coffee producers in the world. But, what is definitely going to be true is that wherever it is from in the world, your Colombia coffee has been produced with love, with care and with expert knowledge that has been developed and improved over generations and generations; and that is something that you can taste with every single sip!