Growing altitude: 1,000 to 1,900 m
Regions: Cauca, Santander, Huila, Tolima, Antioquia and Nariño
Variety: Castillo, Colombia, Caturra
Roasting: Medium roasting
Preparation: Sun-dried, drying under glass roof
Taste: Mild, full-bodied, low acidity
The coffee beans from Colombia are appreciated all over the world for their quality. The main coffee growing regions are the departments of Quindío, Caldas and Risaralda, collectively known as "Eje Cafetero", the so-called coffee triangle of Colombia. About 66% of the Coffea bushes are cultivated on modern farms, and harvesting is mostly done by hand. The remaining part of the coffee grows on small, family-run plantations. In total, about 20% of the harvest, mostly defective or low-quality beans, remains in the country itself.
The coffee is known for its full body and good balance between sweetness and acidity; connoisseurs even detect slight tropical notes. The best coffee beans come from the coffee region south of Medellín. With almost 800,000 tons, which are traded as a specialty in 70kg bags, Colombia is the world's third largest producer.