Colombia, a country that for many immediately conjures up images of lush coffee plantations, but also of a turbulent past full of conflict and controversy. Known worldwide for its rich coffee culture, but also for its dark history of drug trafficking and the infamous Pablo Escobar. Traveling through this beautiful country is an experience full of contrasts; you feel the excitement and excitement of a country slowly leaving its past behind and embracing its pride in coffee as a cultural heritage. During our trip, we discovered not only the amazing coffee flavors, but also how coffee has become a symbol of the resilience and renewed pride of Colombians.
History
Professional coffee cultivation in Colombia began in the 18th century, when Colombians first came in contact with the coffee plant. Not much later, coffee had already become one of the country's main exports. This is due to Colombia's perfect location combined with its imaginative climate. Together this guarantees the world's best coffee beans. Meanwhile, coffee has grown into a product that is impossible to imagine the country without. This is partly due to the efforts of the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC). This organization helps coffee farmers engage in fair trade and provides security for achieving high quality standards.
The differences between West and East
Eje Cafetero:
Regularly called the coffee triangle, this area is known worldwide for its balanced coffees, often with slight acidity and taste of caramel with chocolate. Really quite delicious. It is unprecedentedly beautiful as you travel through this region, everywhere you look there are hills completely covered with endless rows of coffee plants. Even the air here literally breathes coffee, you can simply smell the coffee.
Sierra Nevada:
The Sierra Nevada region lies on the north coast and is a fantastic area for coffee lovers. The coffee plantations here are in tropical forests ie we have not seen anywhere else, this is pure nature! The coffee is quite complex and tastes mainly floral with a hint of citrus, very special. It is really a unique experience to be here, between the mountains and the sea, we really recommend going here.
Nariño:
Nariño is located in southwestern Colombia and we can say that this is one of the most unique regions we have been to. The steep slopes of the Andes Mountains are very special and impart a beautiful flavor. The coffee from Nariño is wonderfully fruity with a little acidity, actually a fresh cup of coffee if you had to describe it. The landscape here is rugged and you are really deep in nature here.
Coffee Culture
Colombia is not only known for the top coffee it produces, but you guessed it, also with the drug trade. Despite the fact that our favorite beverage coffee is currently one of Colombia's main exports, for now it also remains linked to the narco trade, thanks to its most famous criminal, Pablo Esbobar. In the 1980s, Pablo Escobar used his fortune to buy hundreds of coffee plantations, not only to launder his drug money, but also to smuggle cocaine out of the country through these plantations. The legacy of this practice is still felt in regions such as Cauca, where the lines between legitimate coffee cultivation and illegal activities are sometimes grimly thin. Today, coffee plantations are still used as cover, with the coca plant literally grown alongside the coffee plant. Of course, the government is making a daily effort to combat these activities, and thankfully with success!
In short,
Colombia is and remains a leader in quality coffee thanks to perfect growing conditions, good quality control and its highly experienced coffee farmers. In our opinion, the country is a fascinating destination full of controversy, history and perfect for anyone who wants to discover top coffee. In the next chapter of our series, we take you to Vietnam, globally considered the country of robusta coffee beans. We will then tell you more about its "special" coffee culture".
Come to taste?
After reading this blog, are you curious about the unique flavors coffee brings? Stop by the CoffeeClick Experience Center and sample the different coffee blends.
Make a no-obligation appointment and experience CoffeeClick.
