Coffee from Colombia – a journey through the most refined flavours

Colombia is one of the most famous coffee-producing countries in the world, recognized for its high-quality beans grown in ideal climatic conditions. Each cup of Colombian coffee is a special experience, thanks to the complex flavor profile, traditional growing methods and quality of the soil in the regions where the coffee is grown.

Why is Colombian coffee special?

Colombia is located in the so-called “Coffee Bean Belt”, an area located near the equator where growing conditions are ideal for growing coffee. The country benefits from high altitudes, nutrient-rich volcanic soil, and a balanced climate with moderate temperatures and regular rainfall. These elements allow the development of coffee beans with distinct notes and balanced acidity.

Another aspect that distinguishes Colombian coffee is the manual harvesting process. Colombian farmers only harvest ripe coffee cherries, thus ensuring consistent quality of the beans. This method, although more expensive and laborious, guarantees clean and defect-free coffee.

Colombian coffee in the world

Colombia is the third largest coffee producer in the world, after Brazil and Vietnam, and supplies the global market with some of the finest Arabica coffee. Many Colombian coffees are Fair Trade or Rainforest Alliance certified, which ensure sustainable practices and fair conditions for farmers.

The main coffee regions of Colombia

Colombia has many regions famous for coffee production, each with its own particularities.

1.

One of the finest coffee growing regions, Huila produces coffee with a balanced body, floral notes and vibrant acidity. This region benefits from rich volcanic soils and a climate perfect for growing specialty coffees.

2. Antioch

This is one of Colombia’s oldest coffee-producing regions, known for its balanced coffees with notes of chocolate and nuts. Antioquia has long been an area dominated by large producers, but in recent years small farmers have begun producing increasingly popular specialty coffees.

3. Tolima

This region offers coffee with aromas of tropical fruit, chocolate and caramel. Due to the microclimatic diversity, Tolima coffee has a complex profile, with sweet notes and a velvety aftertaste.

4. Narino

Located in southern Colombia, near the border with Ecuador, the Nariño region is known for its coffees with high acidity and a velvety body. Berries grown at altitudes above 2,000 m develop intense aromas of red fruit and caramel.

5. Cauca

This region produces coffee with floral, sweet notes and a strong citrus acidity. Due to the altitude, Cauca coffee has a clean and complex taste, highly appreciated by lovers of specialty coffees.

The aromatic profile of Colombian coffee

Colombian coffee is characterized by a perfect balance between sweetness, acidity and body. The flavor profile varies by region, but the most common notes include:

• Citrus fruits (orange, lemon, mandarin)
• Chocolate (from milk chocolate to intense dark chocolate)
• Caramel and brown sugar
• Walnuts and almonds
• Subtle floral notes (jasmine, rose)

This variety of flavors makes Colombian coffee suitable for espresso, but also for alternative preparation methods such as V60, Aeropress or Chemex, which emphasize the fineness of the taste.

We present some of the varieties of Colombian coffee marketed by Espresso Café:

Columbia Supreme vs. Colombia Excelso – Two types of Colombian coffee

Colombia is famous for its quality coffee and two of the most famous types of Colombian coffee are Columbia Supreme AND Columbia High. These names do not indicate a specific region, but the size of the coffee beans, an essential aspect that influences its flavor profile.

What is Colombia Supremo?

Columbia Supreme represents the largest Colombian coffee beanshaving a screen size of 17 or 18. This means that the beans have been selected to pass through the 17-18/64 inch mesh screen.

Colombia Supremo is preferred by those who love balanced coffees with a fine consistency and natural sweetness.

What is Colombia Excelso?

Columbia Excelso includes grains of average sizehaving a screen size of 15-16. This is the most common category of Colombian coffee, exported in large quantities due to the balance between quality and availability.

Excelso is a great option for those who prefer coffee with livelier acidity and more intense fruity notes.

Columbia Supreme vs. Excelso – What’s the difference?

Although both types are high-quality coffees, Supremo is prized for its rich texture and sweet notes, while Excelso is more tart and fruity. The choice depends on the preferences of each consumer.

Are there other classifications of Colombian coffee?

In addition to Supremo and Excelso, there are other classifications based on grain size:

• UGQ (usual good quality) – includes a mix of grains of various sizes, usually smaller than sieve size 15.
• hallway – small or defective beans, considered of lower quality.
• But – round beans, formed by a natural mutation, which develop an intense flavour.

These classifications help standardize the quality of coffee exported from Colombia, ensuring that each batch meets certain rigorous criteria.

How are Columbia Supremo and Excelso best prepared?

To highlight the unique characteristics of each type of coffee, the preparation method plays an important role:

• Supreme Colombia – ideal for espresso, French Press and Aeropresswhere the rich body and sweetness are amplified.
• Colombia Excellent – suitable for V60, Chemex and Cold Brewhighlighting acidity and fruity notes.

Both Colombia Supremo and Colombia Excelso are authentic expressions of Colombian coffee, each with unique characteristics. Supremo is the perfect choice for those who want a velvety, sweet and balanced coffee, while Excelso is aimed at lovers of fruity coffees with vibrant acidity.

Regardless of your preference, both types offer an exceptional taste experience. Discover them and enjoy a cup of authentic Colombian coffee!

Colombian coffee is a symbol of quality and tradition. Grown in regions with ideal microclimates and hand-harvested to ensure excellence, it offers a unique taste experience. Regardless of the preparation method, a cup of Colombian coffee will take you on a memorable sensory journey.

If you want to discover the authentic taste of Colombian coffee, explore our selection of products and choose your favorite!