Colombian coffee is mostly known for its rich flavor, smooth acidity, and well-balanced profile which make it a favorite coffee choice for people.
It is grown in the unique regional climate areas of Colombia’s mountainous regions and this coffee has advantages from optimal growing conditions including high altitudes, fertile volcanic soil, and a balance of sunshine and rainfall.
The careful processing methods and the hard work of Colombian coffee farmers also have an important role in maintaining the high quality of the beans.
What Makes Colombian Coffee Unique Compared to Other Coffee Varieties?
Here are the reasons that make Colombian coffee unique compared to other coffee.
Geography and Climate
Colombia’s large geography with its high altitudes and hot climate provides the best conditions for coffee growing. The country’s location near the equator also has steady temperatures and large amounts of rainfall providing the coffee beans with great quality
Arabica Beans
Colombia mainly grows Arabica coffee which is famous for its smooth, mild flavor and lower caffeine content compared to Robusta beans. This type of coffee bean is generally considered better in taste and quality.
Growing Regions
Colombia has many different coffee-growing regions each having unique regional climate and soil conditions that affect the flavor of the coffee. Let’s take an example coffee from the region of Huila tends to have fruity and floral notes while beans from the region of Nariño may have more chocolatey and nutty flavors.
Hand-Picking
Colombian coffee is usually picked by hand which makes certain that only the ripest cherries are harvested. This hardworking process helps to maintain the quality of the beans.
Processing Methods
The majority of Colombian coffee is washed which helps to grow the bright and clean flavors of Colombian coffee. This method involves removing the cherry’s outer pulp before drying the beans which results in a more high-quality product.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Coffee has been a significant part of Colombian culture and economy for over a century. The traditions developed over this time have contributed to the quality and reputation of Colombian coffee.
What Are the Health Benefits of Drinking Colombian Coffee?
Here are the health benefits of Colombian coffee but make sure you drink it in a limited because excise of everything is bad.
01. Antioxidant Properties
Here, the extraction of antioxidants from coffee assists your body in fighting oxidative stress and inflammation within your body. Considering that antioxidants can decrease the probability of having a heart attack or a heart ailment and cancer, the result in the coefficient would reflect this aspect positively.
02. Improved Mental Alertness
Thus, caffeine is like a booster of the functions of your brain, which may enhance your alertness, concentration, and memory.
03. Improved Physical Performance
Caffeine has robust effects of stimulating the central nervous system which fails to relax the muscles thereby increasing the adrenaline in the body hence having an impact of increasing strength and endurance.
04. Mood Enhancement
Coffee seems to reduce the occurrence of depression and in general uplift your spirits because of the stimulating effect on the central nervous system.
05. Reduced Risk of Certain Diseases:
Coffee contains nutrients that reduce the probability of developing a series of diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and several forms of cancer.
06. Liver Health
Different types of liver diseases that may be escalated by alcohol and fat include fatty liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and others; coffee intake has many protective impacts on this organ and therefore its use may help reduce the risks of the above-mentioned diseases.
07. Weight Management
It is a well-known fact that caffeine facilitates the rate of metabolism, thus increasing the rate of fat breakdown for effective weight control and weight loss.
08. Necessary Nutrients
This indicates that coffee has minimal quantities of several essential nutrients such as vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), manganese, and potassium so it is beneficial to a certain extent.
09. Longevity:
Some studies present data stating consumers of coffee may have a lesser risk of death from several diseases compared with non-coffees, this might be due to the combined result on your body of all the health benefits of coffee.
7 Facts About Colombian Coffee
Here are the 7 fun facts about Colombian coffee you probably didn’t know about.
Fact No.01: Colombia has a World Heritage site called the Coffee Cultural Landscape that lists the country’s distinctive and historic methods of cultivating coffee.
Fact No.02: The coffee industry in Colombia is backed by the National Federation of Coffee Growers FNC which was formed in 1927 to market coffee produced in Colombia and enhance the lives of coffee farmers
Fact No.03: The nutritional panel information icon developed by the FNC in 1971 is the widely recognized technological improvement based on the Juan Valdez character introduced in 1959. He is usually portrayed with a mule, Conchita, which symbolizes the typical coffee farmer.
Fact No.04: Colombia’s climate is perfect for harvesting coffee beans in several seasons around the year. Cacao farmers produce two types of crops, the main crop known as “La Principal” is produced from September to December, while the second crop known as ”La Mitaca” is produced from April to June.
Fact No.05: A variety of topographic features in Colombia is because the country is situated on the cross-section of several ecosystem groups, and coffee produced in one region may have a different taste from that produced in another region and taste of berries such as fruit, flower, nuts, and chocolates.
Fact No.06: Thus, there is a well-developed coffee tourism in Colombia. People can sightsee the coffee farms, try the coffee, and gain insights as to how it is processed in areas such as the Coffee Axis (Eje de Café).
Fact No.07: Coffee grown in the Colombian climate provides the second-largest production of Arabica which has a smooth and mild taste. Brazil is apart from being the largest consumer, also the largest producer of Arabica beans.
3 Delicious Colombian Coffee Recipes To Try At Home
Here are the 3 Colombian coffee recipes.
01. Café de Olla (Colombian Spiced Coffee)
Ingredients needed for Café de Olla.
- 4 cups water
- 4 tablespoons Colombian coffee, ground
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 small piece of star anise
- 1 orange peel (optional)
- 4 tablespoons panela (or brown sugar)
How to make Café de Olla.
- In a medium pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add the cinnamon stick, cloves, star anise, and orange peel (if using).
- Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the panela or brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Add the ground coffee, stir, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes.
- Strain the coffee mixture into cups and serve hot.
02. Colombian Iced Coffee
Ingredients needed for Colombian Iced Coffee.
- 1 cup Colombian coffee, brewed and cooled
- 1/2 cup milk (or any milk alternative)
- 2 tablespoons sweetened condensed milk
- Ice cubes
- Whipped cream (optional)
How to make Colombian Iced Coffee.
- Brew the Colombian coffee and let it cool to room temperature.
- In a glass, mix the cooled coffee, milk, and sweetened condensed milk.
- Fill a tall glass with ice cubes and pour the coffee mixture over the ice.
- Stir well and top with whipped cream if desired.
03. Café Con Leche (Coffee with Milk)
Ingredients needed for Café Con Leche.
- 1 cup Colombian coffee, brewed
- 1 cup milk (or any milk alternative)
- Sugar or sweetener to taste
How to make Café Con Leche.
- Brew a cup of Colombian coffee.
- In a separate pot, heat the milk until it’s hot but not boiling.
- Combine the brewed coffee and hot milk in a cup.
- Add sugar or sweetener to taste, and stir well.
- Optionally, you can froth the milk before adding it to the coffee for a creamier texture.
Conclusion
The following are some of the features that make Colombian coffee unique among others in the global market. Sought for its outstanding taste, Colombian coffee may have a moderate acidity, moderate body, and flavors that can be berry-like, nutty, or chocolatey. These qualities are believed to be precise due to the variances in microclimate, high altitude cultivation at the range of 1200- 1800 meters, and proper processing. Currently, the Colombian coffee producers and the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) pay much attention to quality starting with environment-friendly methods of production and proper sorting and grading of the beans. Thus, it may be said that Colombian coffee not only has an exquisite taste but also contributes to the care for the environment and population well-being in Colombian departments for coffee cultivation.
