COLOMBIAN COFFEE AREAS PART2
Colombian Coffee Mountains | Tolima
In the second part of Colombian Coffee Areas, we want to continue the journey inside Colombia and the vast amount of coffee that this country has to offer to the world. As we introduce to you last time, Colombia has well defined Coffee areas and has a different variety of coffees. It doesn’t matter if you want a rounder, heavier or more vibrant coffee, it’s very likely that this country has the variety you seek. Each region and state have coffee with its own distinctive characteristics. However, if you enjoy a coffee from a particular region, you will probably enjoy the coffee from many other.
Today we want to share with you the second part of the Colombian Coffee regions. Each one with their own characteristics, altitude, varieties, and traits. Café Piraguas wants to show you the great variety of coffees that Colombia has to offer to the world.
NARIÑO REGION – COFFEE
The Nariño coffee is one of the highest coffees in Colombia, they are one of most stunning and complex. It is difficult to grow coffee at these high altitudes, as the coffee plant suffer from “die back”. However, the region of Nariño is close enough to the equator that makes the perfect climate for coffee plants. This provides a coffee with a citrus, sweet with a high acidity cup.
Characteristics of Nariño
Altitude: 1,500-2,300 m | 4,900-7,500ft |
Harvest: April-June
Varieties:
54% Typica
29% Caturra
17% Castillo
CUNDINAMARCA REGION – COFFEE
This department surrounds the capital city of Bogota, one of the highest capital cities in the world at 2,625 m (8,612 ft) above sea level, higher than coffee would grow. The coffee trees grow in different altitudes, inside mountains with a shade-grown plantation and its proximity to the equator. The result is a very exclusive and consistent cup. This provides a coffee with an average body, strong aroma with an average acidity coffee.
Characteristics of Cundinamarca
Altitude: 1, 450-1,800m | 4,600-5,900 ft |
Harvest: March - June | Main Crop | October - December | Second crop |
Varieties:
35% Typica
34% Caturra
31% Castillo
SANTANDER REGION – COFFEE
This was one of the first regions to produce Colombian coffee for export. This region has less altitude than the others, this can be detected in the coffees the flavor changes towards a rounded and sweeter cup, rather than juicy and complex one. Most of the coffee form this area is certified by the Rainforest Alliance and the biodiversity of the region is very important. The result is a high-quality coffee that tends have tobacco notes in the drink.
Characteristics of Santander
Altitude: 1,200-1,700m | 3,900-5,900 ft |
Harvest: September-December | main crop |
Varieties:
15% Typica
32% Caturra
53% Castillo
SIERRA NEVADA REGION – COFFEE
This region has a lower altitude plantation, the coffee form the Sierra Nevada tend to be heavier and rounder than more elegant and softer. The coffee from this area has a unique climate, with incredibly step hillside terrain, rainy and high temperature climate. This provides a coffee with chocolate and bittersweet notes, strong taste and low acidity cup.
Characteristics of Sierra Nevada
Altitude: 900 -1,600 m | 3,000-5,200 ft |
Harvest: September-December | main crop |
Varieties:
6% Typica
58% Caturra
36% Castillo
