Explore the Terroirs of Colombia Cafetera

This region is characterized by having a temperate, predominantly humid and very rainy climate. Summers are short and very hot, and winters are temperate. During the course of the year, the temperature generally varies from 23°C to 32°C and rarely drops below 21°C or rises above 34°C, which represents an excellent temperature range for the ripening of the cherries throughout the year.

The soils of the farms of Antioquia have normally stable and moderately deep soils that confer medium natural fertility. These farms are also characterized by slopes greater than 75% and for this reason almost 100% of the coffee is harvested by hand. Farms are typically located at 1490-1940 masl and the annual rainfall in this region is normally 2110- 2470 mm.

This region is characterized by having a temperate, predominantly humid and very rainy climate. Summers are short and very hot, and winters are temperate. During the course of the year, the temperature generally varies from 23°C to 32°C and rarely drops below 21°C or rises above 34°C, which represents an excellent temperature range for the ripening of the cherries throughout the year.

The soils of the farms of Antioquia have normally stable and moderately deep soils that confer medium natural fertility. These farms are also characterized by slopes greater than 75% and for this reason almost 100% of the coffee is harvested by hand. Farms are typically located at 1490-1940 masl and the annual rainfall in this region is normally 2110- 2470 mm.

The mountainous and heterogeneous character of Cauca causes the coffee produced in the different places and times of the year TO have differential characteristics. This department contains a very diverse region where it is common to find micro-lots and nano-lots with very particular processing and profile features. Cauca has stood out in various contests in recent years because of its micro-lots of excellent quality, with scores greater than 90.

Low temperatures slow down the maturation of cherries, hence they accumulate more sugars and compounds that enhance their acidity and sweet and fruity notes. The interaction of sugar with sulfur from volcanic soils influence the aroma of Cauca coffee, characterized by a strong aroma, with notes of chocolate, caramel, apple and honey. Bright and high acidity in the cup, medium body with a balanced, smooth and clean overall impression.

Cup profiles: Chocolate, caramel, sugar cane; Persistent aftertaste; Body: round and full; Acidity: medium to high.

Cundinamarca is located in the center of Colombia and coffee production is concentrated on the slopes of the eastern mountain range characterized by altitudes of 1,400 to 1,800 meters, annual rainfall of 1,900 – 2,400 mm that decrease from December to February and from June to August, and soils with high volcanic content with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 of low fertility but highly receptive.

Cundinamarca coffee is internationally recognized as one of the highest quality coffees, as the producers of this region enjoy very favorable agro-climatic conditions for the growth of the fruit and also share the values of conscious consumption and production. In order to achieve this, they preserve ancestral practices of caring for the land and combine it with innovations at the coffee processing level. It is very common to find honeys, natural and fermented coffees in this region.

Average: 17.8 ºC with daily swings of 7-24ºC.

Huila is the department with the highest coffee production in Colombia, responsible for the 16% of the country production. Enclosed within the Cordilleras Central and Oriental, Huila is kissed by Magdalena river, which gives this region very diverse climates. Huila is also defined by its volcanic soil very high in nitrogen content, which contributes to the unique and complex notes characteristic of this region.

Huila’s coffees are known for splendid sweet flavours and bright acidity. Often characterized by round body, complex, expressive and intense fragrance, fruity notes of raspberry and pineapple, Huila’s coffee can be very diverse due the complexity of soils and diversity of climates.

Chocolaty fragrances, flowery aromas, sweet notes reminiscent of panela, caramel, honey and persistent aftertaste. Silky, round and balanced body.

It is an area of little precipitation where the land has a high content of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, boron, zinc and sulfur, with a lot of organic matter that decomposes slowly. The high fertility is due to the amount of content of organic material, of volcanic origin, that the area offers. It has the best particular conditions for growing coffee, in terms of water availability, temperature, solar radiation and wind regime. High altitudes and low temperatures force the plant to conserve its sugars.

Located in the extreme southwest of the country, this department is an obligatory destination for those who want to know the coffee region of Colombia. Due to its diverse geography, it enjoys various climates depending on the altitude: from the heat of the Pacific plain to the cold of the most mountainous part, touring Nariño is perfect for discovering the diversity of an entire country.

Cup profiles: Dried fruits and citric notes. High acidity and medium-high body.

The Tolima department is the third in terms of coffee production in Colombia. Located in the eastern side of the Cordillera Central, Tolima is characterized by peaks of 5’000 masl and a very high excursion range, with temperatures from below zero in the mountains and up to 40ºC in the valleys.

The coffee from Tolima is characterized by a clean cup with a medium-high body, medium-high acidity, smooth, sweet, balanced and diverse fruity and citric notes reminiscent of red berries, jasmine and maple syrup.

Average: 20.8 ºC / 69.4 ºF

The growers from Santander are pioneers in growing coffee under shadow, being among the first in the world to advocate for this approach in coffee growing. This method permits to reduce the amount of pesticides used and it is not uncommon to find producers that are certified organic and bird-friendly. Agroforestry, bio-diversity and polyculture are common words in this department, making Santander coffee not only great but also very green and eco-friendly.

The practice of growing various trees in coffee fields fosters biodiversity and attracts birds and insects beneficial for the ecosystem which help fighting plagues and diseases ecologically. Additionally, agroforestry combats soil erosion and protects the coffee from excessive drought and rain. Santander’s unique characteristics are further enhanced and glorified in the excellent microlots of this department.

95% shade-grown coffee, 80% bird-friendly plantations.

Cup profile: Sweet, herbal, fruity and subtle citrus healing flavours. Fragrances: herbal, floral, and some chocolaty and hollow notes, delicate tobacco sensations.

The Sierra Nevada is the highest coastal range in the tropics. It encompasses about 17,000 km2 (6,600 sq mi) and serves as the source of 36 rivers. It spans the Departments of Magdalena, Cesar and La Guajira.

Farms’ altitude: 950-1850 masl.

Cup profile: Orange, Chocolate, and caramel notes. Medium body and low acidity.