Experiencing the Rich History of Colombian Coffee
If there’s one country that’s synonymous with coffee, it’s Colombia. Some of the world’s best tasting and most famous coffee beans hail from this beautiful South American country. You might remember the famous Juan Valdez coffee commercials from the 80’s and 90’s, which were aired to advertise for the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia:
So, what sets Colombian coffee apart? We know our bright and fruity Colombian Nariño is pretty special, but how is coffee from this mountainous region defined? In this coffee origins segment, we’ll take a look at the bold and rich history of Colombian coffee and what makes this region one of the highest-selling coffee producers in the world.
How Colombian Coffee Got Its Start
Colombia’s relationship with coffee extends all the way back to 1730, when a Jesuit priest by the name of José Gumilla documented its presence within his mission. Following Gumilla, an archbishop-viceroy by the name of Caballero y Gongora also documented two different coffee crops in the year 1787. By 1808, the country saw its first commercial crop and exported its first 100 green coffee bags.
It wasn’t until the early 1900’s, following the end of the Thousand Days War, that coffee saw any real growth as a sustainable crop and export in Colombia. The popularity of coffee began to rise so much, that the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia was established in 1927 to offer organization and protection to the local farmers. Soon, Colombia would be recognized as the world’s third largest exporter of coffee.
The Process of Growing Colombian Coffee
Colombia is filled with thousands of miles of beautiful mountain ranges and lush hills - combined with the humid climate and steep elevation, farmers find it provides the perfect opportunity to grow rich and robust Arabica coffee. Coffee farmers harvest their crops between March and June, and then again between September and December.
Following harvest, coffee beans go through a wash and dry process before they are sold and exported. Traditionally, the washed method is used in Colombian coffee processing stations. During this process, the skins and seeds are separated and the seeds are then washed to remove the remaining mucilage before they are set out to dry.
Colombian Coffee Today
Over 600,000 farmers grow coffee in this beautiful South American country. Annually, 11-13 million bags of beautiful Arabica beans are exported from Colombia. As it stands today, Colombia boasts the title of third largest coffee exporter and is responsible for producing 12% of the world’s entire coffee supply!
The Flavor Profiles of Colombian Coffee
You’d be hard pressed to find a more diverse and flavorful coffee than that which comes from Colombia. Depending on the region and altitude, coffee can range from nutty and chocolatey to sweet and mellow, but they all feature a full body with bold and rich flavors.
Angelino’s Colombian Nariño Series
The origin of Angelino’s bright and fruity Colombian Nariño is a special one. This coffee's journey all begins on the Chachagui district farms, high up in the mountains and resting at an impressive altitude of 1900 m.a.s.l. amongst mountainous trails littered with ripe mango. Chachagui, a word originating from two indigenous languages - Quillacinga and Quechua - translates to “land of clear waters” or “good water.” Here, you’ll find the Cafe Occidente Nariño cooperative - the place where our Castillo variety blend is grown.
To ensure we source only the best Colombian coffee from the region, Angelino’s has partnered with Azahar Coffee Company. This is a valued partnership for us because Azahar only works with the best coffee farms in the area, and ensures higher prices are always paid to farmers - even if market prices are lower at the time. Through their stringent and fair practices, Azahar Coffee Company has earned their place as a trusted name in the industry and makes Angelino’s Coffee proud to do business with them.
Transport yourself to tropical Colombian hillsides with this incredibly flavorful brew. Angelino’s offers this fan-favorite single origin in three varieties: full caffeine, naturally decaffeinated, or a delicious blend of the two with our new Half Caff Colombian. The well-rounded, bright, and balanced flavorings of our Colombian Nariño series of coffee makes it the perfect choice for every kind of coffee drinker.
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Angelino’s classic Colombian Nariño, Decaf Colombian Nariño, and Half Caff Colombian.
What is your favorite coffee origin? We’d love to hear your thoughts! @angelinoscoffee #angelinoscoffee
