Why is Colombian Coffee the World's Favourite?
Anyone visiting the country of Colombia always ends up with hammocks, Mochilas, and a Sombrero Vueltiao hat as a souvenirs.
But there’s one thing no one ever forgets to bring back home for everyone, and that is, Colombian coffee.
South America is not only famous for its longest mountain range and the largest rainforest, but also for producing the best-tasting coffee in the world.
So why is this coffee so famous? What makes it so special? Does it taste different? Read on to discover why is Colombian coffee the world’s favorite.
What is Colombian Coffee Exactly?
Colombian coffee isn't a coffee drink type, like the different types of coffee we know, such as espresso and cappuccino. It’s coffee that grows in the farmlands of Colombia, a beautiful South American country.
This coffee has a rich taste, is extremely aromatic, and has a mild flavor with a citrusy hint to it. Colombian coffee contains 100% Arabica coffee beans, which is a superior coffee bean variety.
A Little About Types of Coffee Beans
If you are wondering what Arabica coffee bean is, well, Arabica is the name of a coffee bean type. Three main types of coffee beans grow worldwide, namely Arabica, Robusta, And Liberica. And out of these, Arabica and Robusta ( each having further subtypes) are the two popular varieties. Arabica beans are slightly larger, long oval-shaped beans, containing high levels of lipids and sugars, and less caffeine. This results in a sweeter tasting coffee, which isn't bitter and has a more intense aroma. On the other hand, Robusta beans are rounder, smaller beans, with low levels of sugar and high levels of caffeine. These qualities give Robusta coffee a harsher, bitter taste with loads of caffeine. So Colombian coffee being 100% Arabica is of supreme quality, making it the top best tasting coffee, giving you a delicious cup every time.
Colombian Coffee Information: Some Must Know Details
Here are some details on this superb-tasting coffee, including its journey all the way from the farms in Colombia into your java cups.
Location and Climate
Arabica coffee beans require temperatures of 73℉ to 82℉ and about 60 to 80 inches of rainfall per year to grow. And, since Colombia lies near the equator, its climate is tropical and does not change much throughout the year.
This provides an excellent environment for growing the best arabica coffee varieties. It has a high amount of rainfall, yet an appropriate amount of sunlight and dry spells.
Moreover, its volcanic soil is rich in minerals and nutrients, and the high altitudes of 1700 to 2000 are ideal for arabica beans.
The classic climate and the perfect geographical location have gained this country the reputation of a world heritage site. And, it was named the ‘Coffee Cultural Landscape’ of Colombia by UNESCO, in 2011. Colombia alone produces an average of 11.5 million bags of coffee each year.
Farming
The story begins in the vast farmlands of La Pradera, situated near the town of San Gil, Santander. These plantations are in the department of Huila, the mountainous region located in the South, the main ‘coffee region’ of Colombia.
The best Colombian coffee beans come from this region, which covers a total area of about 154,800 hectares.
Here, several small farms are spreading over 1 to 3 hectares of land. Cattura, Tabi, Typica, Castillo, Bourbon, and Geisha are the main kinds of coffee ( all are varieties of Arabica coffee ) that grow here.
The Arabica coffee plants are shrubs that grow 9 to 12 m tall, with white flowers and cherry-like fruits. The fruits contain the seeds within, which are the coffee beans.
These shrubs grow under the shade of other plants like banana trees which prevent them from getting scorched in the sun. These coffee beans go through harvest twice a year, one in autumn and the other in spring.
The Processing & Harvesting
The real reason why Colombian Huila coffee is unique is that all the coffee beans are hand-picked ( known as cherry-picking at the time of harvest). Since the farmers know the differences between ripe, overripe, and green cherries, they select and pick only the finest ones ( this is what machine picking certainly can't do). Next, they remove the skin and the pulp of the cherries and the poor quality beans are put away. After this, they ferment the coffee beans for 12 to 24 hours.
And, then, the beans make their way to drying areas under the sun or into artificial drying machines. Finally, once ready, they distribute beans across the country, sell them to suppliers, and export them all over the world.
Why Drink Coffee: Health Benefits of Colombian Coffee
Your cup of joe doesn't only give you an energy boost, it also contains nutrients that help prevent many diseases.
Coffee consumption can save you against developing type 2 diabetes, heart failure, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and hypertension.
It also saves you from Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease and prevents raised cholesterol levels. Moreover, coffee beans also contain polyphenols, which are antioxidants ( that prevent your skin from aging! ).
A hot cup of java contains a good amount of Vitamin B2, B3, B5, magnesium, manganese, and potassium. Furthermore, coffee also helps boost your memory and aid in losing weight.
In short, drinking Colombian coffee is very beneficial. Its low caffeine content makes it a beverage with a low chance of addiction, sleeplessness, and anxiety.
Need To Buy Colombian Coffee?
With so many coffee brands labeled Colombian coffee, it can get confusing when choosing the best one out.
Here at our online coffee store, www.ningalooroast.com, you can buy our Cafe de Colombia, a 100% arabica bean coffee straight from Colombia.
It is a perfectly roasted coffee for less, and we make it from single-origin green beans, importing them all the way from Huila.
With hints of berries and tropical fruits, Cafe de Colombia will give a rich aroma, a smooth taste with low acidity.
Or, you can try our Deep Water Blend, which contains about 40% pure Colombian coffee roasted to the right point. It makes you a dreamy cup of espresso with hints of caramel and cocoa, and fresh notes of citrus fruits.
Final Words
The sweet taste, the unforgettable aroma and smooth taste makes Colombian coffee the world's favourite. So if you haven't tried it yet, go ahead and indulge yourself in the magic of Colombian coffee. It is an experience you are bound to add up to your daily routines, making it an essential part of your lives, for good.