If you are a coffee lover curious to know about one of the best coffee in the world then you must read about Colombian coffee.Colombian Coffee is rich in flavors and has versatile products. A famous character from ‘Modern Family’, Sofia Vergara, is seen to be praising her home country’s Colombian coffee.There are around 32 different types of coffee. In the departments of Narino, Cauca, and Huila of the south the coffee produced at high elevations has floral aromas, complex profiles, and higher acidity. In the Central region of Antioquia, Quindio, Caldas which is the ‘coffee belt’ the coffee has a nutty and chocolaty flavor with mellow acidic taste and a gentle sweetness.In the north of Santa Marta and Santander which are lower in altitude and high in temperatures produce coffee with a deep flavor. As the coffee culture grows you can also expand your knowledge about Colombian coffee. Find out why Colombian coffee is the best and a preferred choice of most coffee lovers.Here are some interesting Colombian coffee facts that can kickstart your day just like that first sip of coffee. After reading about Colombian coffee, also check how is coffee made and where does coffee come from?History Of Coffee Culture In ColombiaThe history of Colombian coffee dates back to 300 ‘years. The Jesuits brought Colombian coffee in the 18th century to the country. The first coffee bags produced in the East were exported from the office of Cucuta in 1835. As coffee consumption was rapid in the US, Germany, and France, coffee production also increased from 60,000 bags to more than 600,000 bags by the 19th century.Noticeably most of the production came from the farms of large landowners. The international fall in the global market due to the crisis in the mid 19th century was a setback for the landowners. Thus by the end of the 19th-century coffee became the important foreign exchange product of exports in Colombia. In 1927 there was a need to create an acknowledged body in order to ensure the rights and to help and represent the small farmers and coffee growers.This body was called the Federación Nacional de Cafeteros. Further in 1959, there was an office opened in Tokyo called Cafe de Colombia. This makes Japan the second-largest consumer of Colombian coffee in the world. And finally ‘Cafe de Colombia’ was created in 1984 as a final hallmark that gave an identity to Colombian coffee in every nook and corner of the world. Since then Colombia coffee has been a booming coffee industry.Differences Between Light And Dark Roast CoffeeA coffee lover will know exactly whether coffee is light or dark. Light roast coffee beans are full of flavors but very mild and acidic. They have the highest levels of caffeine. They appear to have a pale shade of brown. Dark coffee is bittersweet and bold, probably too bitter for many people.But they have less caffeine and lower acidity. Coffee has vividly different characteristics that depend on the levels of roasting. When the coffee beans are roasted. The process causes the beans to undergo many chemical changes as the beans absorb heat. This builds up pressure as the beans continue absorbing more and more heat and finally, it cracks.After the crack, the bean starts to absorb further energy again till it cracks for the second time. Coffee beans that are roasted till the temperature inside them are about 355-400 °F (179.4-204.4 °C). Once it has the first crack, they are termed light. When the coffee beans are roasted until the internal temperature is more than 450 °F ( 232.2 °C) till the second crack it is termed dark. 482 °F (250 °C) is the final limit for a dark roast. The phase in between the two cracks is called a medium roast.Main Factors Which Determine The Quality Of CoffeeThe experience of drinking coffee is based on the quality of the coffee plant. The quality also determines the price to be paid for that coffee. The coffee that is for sale in the supermarket is a blend of robusta and arabica coffee beans. But the majority of houses prefer to sell the Arabica beans only.Robusta beans have traces of tropical fruits and red berries but more caffeine and are cheaper to produce. Arabica bean is usually rich in flavor. Coffee drinkers buy the best quality of coffee. Tinto coffee is a cheaper option consumed by a large number of locals.The finest coffee needs to fulfill the qualities of flavor, aroma, sweetness or bitterness, acidity, and aftertaste. The fragrance is an indicator of the freshness and high quality of coffee. This aroma is affected by the roast given to the coffee beans. The aroma is rich in freshly roasted coffee beans.The amount of bitterness involved particularly in espresso and dark roast coffee is desirable. It leaves an after-taste. But it can overpower the flavor if bitterness is caused by over-extraction while brewing coffee. Along with this the sweetness of coffee also determines the smooth flavor as it produces a fruity taste on the tip of our tongue. Coffee lovers evaluate the quality by swooshing the coffee in their mouths. The storage and freshness of coffee beans also tell a lot about quality. The amount of time given to roast coffee beans and the duration of storage and the brewing process determines the overall quality of coffee. The best way to have Colombia’s coffee beans is to grind your own coffee beans.The Most Popular Beans In ColombiaThe popular Volcanica Coffee Colombian Peaberry is a brand that roasts beans after you buy them. This makes their coffee fresh among other brands. They come in a medium roast and give chocolate-cherry, walnut tones, and malt as the finished product.Peaberry means a deformity of the coffee beans where only one seed grows inside the coffee cherry. It comprises 5% of the total harvest. They are grown at an elevation of about 5500-6000 ft (1676.4-1828.8 m). These beans are sweet and have more flavor. They have a higher price tag as the peaberries are handpicked by the farmers.Volcanica Coffee’s Colombian Supremo belongs to Andeano Estate which is medium roasted. You can also buy them as unroasted beans. They are also available as decaf. This type of bean is grown in the high shades of the Andes mountains. This brewed coffee is smooth with low acidity and it is Fairtrade certified and organic.Another popular brand is Don Pablo Colombian Supremo that carries a caramelized flavor of the darker roast. This brew has a sweet taste and is available in regular or decaf. They also have regional facilities in the US. This is the best option for coffee lovers with a budget but still, demand a quality product.The Java Planet is a small family-run business and their Colombian organic is a low acid coffee. They choose arabica coffee beans that are 100% organic. They also carry Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certification. It has a medium-dark roast without bitterness. The flavor is chocolate and nutty.Another small batch coffee roaster is Blackwelder coffee and their Colombian coffee is a medium-dark roast. It has a sweet aroma and produces a smooth cup of coffee with hints of vanilla. It makes a great breakfast brew.Climate Change And Colombian CoffeeThe policymakers of Colombia should focus on supporting those farmers who won’t make a living by growing coffee. A research study on the effect of climate change on coffee production and the impact on the coffee economy was done by Sandy Dall’erba who is a Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Economics.Also accompanied by the Director of Regional Economics Laboratory. They analyzed climate data from 2007 -2013. It was studied across the 521 coffee-producing municipalities in Columbia. They studied the effect of temperature and precipitation on coffee yield. They came up with a model to anticipate weather conditions in 2024 -2061 and how it will change coffee production for every municipal area. The striking observation is that the municipalities at low altitudes will be negatively affected by climate change.These coffee growers and their families have their livelihood at stake because productivity will fall below the breakeven point by mid-century. There are certain differences that get lost in the national average. The important implication for coffee growers is to adapt to sustainable farming. Colombia’s economy is not heavily dependent on coffee production but the organic practice to grow coffee should be encouraged.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Colombian coffee facts then why not take a look at Colombian economy facts, or Colombia South America facts.
If you are a coffee lover curious to know about one of the best coffee in the world then you must read about Colombian coffee.
