Colombian Coffee
One of the main features of Buencafé is producing freeze-dried coffee from Colombian coffee, a hallmark that has led it to be recognized and appreciated throughout the world for its quality, aroma and flavor.
But it is noteworthy to go back in time and learn a little about Colombian coffee’s history. That’s why we share the following article published on donquijote.org, explaining the importance of Colombian coffee institutions, of which Buencafé is a part.
Coffee grown in Colombia is famous around the world. Colombia’s coffee country covers vast regions of farming landscapes, where coffee farms, set on misty slopes and nestled within lush foothills, generously produce mild-bodied brews. Over 540,000 coffee growers in Colombia supply the world with about 12% of its Arabica coffee.
Coffee in Colombia is more than just a crop; coffee growing has become a part of the national identity. And coffee farming traditions on small plots helped the region (the so-called Coffee Cultural Landscape) earn a spot on UNESCO’s world heritage list.
Evidence suggests that Jesuit priests first introduced coffee seeds to South America in the early 1700s. Colombian Coffee was not exported until 1835, when 2,500 pounds of beans were sent to the US. By the early 1900s, just after the Thousand Days War, a new period of peace inspired many to settle in the western mountain areas to make a living growing coffee on small plots of land.
A new railway and completion of the Panama Canal inspired greater exportation of the crop. Today, the vast majority of coffee growers in Colombia continue growing on small plots of land, many of which are family owned farms. Most growers are also represented by the National Federation of Coffee Growers (FNC).
Since 1927, the FNC has worked to protect the coffee industry in Colombia, carry out extensive research on industry-related topics and promote its interests. Coffee shops such as Juan Valdez (another FNC’s brand, like Buencafé), can be found in exclusive locations such as New York’s 57th street and just across from the White House in Washington D. C. There are some coffee growers not represented by the FNC, including 19 companies that are officially labeled as fair trade businesses by the Fair Trade Labeling Association.
A trip with coffee aroma
Tourists are encouraged to take a trip to Colombia’s coffee-growing axis (“Eje Cafetero”), where bold aromas invite to explore the scenic landscapes of the region, known around the world for the robust coffee flavors that it produces. Hundreds of coffee farms stretch over the departments of Quindío, Caldas, Risaralda and Valle del Cauca (which make up the Coffee Cultural Landscape), areas included as UNESCO world heritage sites. Lodging is available in many of these areas, where visitors can take informative tours around peaceful farms.
One of the region’s most popular attractions is the National Coffee Park in Montenegro, Quindío. The park features a museum that educates the public on coffee culture, a coffee farm, a nature reserve, horseback riding and even amusement rides such as bumper cars, zip lines and roller coasters. Panaca Park in Quindío is another coffee-themed park, where visitors are encouraged to interact with animals and participate in the area’s agricultural culture.
Colombia’s unique natural landscape, perfect for cultivating the coffee bush, along with the unifying efforts of the FNC and the hard work of the growers themselves, have all helped make Colombian coffee a successful industry for nearly a century.
You ma also interested in reading “Coffee and Tea Trends: Fuel or Taste?”
Colombian Coffee. Spain. www.donquijote.org. Retrieved from https https://www.donquijote.org/es/cultura-colombiana/tradiciones/cafe/
