If you love Colombian coffee, you’ll love drinking coffee when you visit Colombia. How can you find the best coffee in Colombia, and avoid the not-so-great experiences?
In over a decade of living in Colombia and working in the coffee industry, we’ve had our share of memorable cups – but also some we’d like to forget.
In this guide we help you avoid those rather-be-forgotten experiences. We cover a long list of topics, but you can hop around and read what most interests you.
We’ll give you answers to these questions about coffee in Colombia:
- Where can I drink good coffee when I’m in Colombia?
- What does Colombian coffee taste like?
- How do Colombians brew coffee?
- How do Colombians drink coffee?
- How do I order a coffee in Colombia?
- Is tinto good coffee?
- What is Juan Valdez?
- Where can I buy Juan Valdez coffee?
- Is Juan Valdez coffee good?
- What are the Colombian coffee-growing regions?
- What is panela?
- What makes a good Colombian coffee souvenir?
- Is Colombian coffee good?
- Is Colombian coffee expensive?
- Should I buy Colombian coffee in a supermarket?
- What coffee shops should I visit in Bogota?
- How can I learn more about Colombian coffee?
- What are coffee-growing regions?
- What is the best coffee-growing region to visit in Colombia?
- Should I slurp Colombian coffee?
- How can I help coffee growers make a decent living?
And if you love dynamic cultural experiences, join us for an in-person workshop and learn about Colombian coffee in a whole new way.
Enjoy your reading…and slurping!!
First, a bit of history about coffee in Colombia
Colombia is one of the major coffee-producing countries in the world. Coming in 3rd place in production (after Brazil and Vietnam), Colombia has been producing coffee since the plant was introduced to Latin America in the 1700s.
A unique aspect of Colombia is that the country is mountainous. The Andes mountains cut through the country, roughly north to south, in three parallel mountain ranges. Additionally, there are other mountainous regions such as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
All those mountains create an ideal environment for growing Arabica coffee. Also, Colombia is entirely within what’s known as the Coffee Belt or Bean Belt, or the area of the world where coffee can be grown.
It’s a simple equation.
Mountains + latitude = great coffee.
However, most of that great coffee is exported. Colombian coffee is expensive (see below to find out why). So what’s left in Colombia is generally lower-quality coffee or even cheaper coffee imported from other countries.
Thus, the need for this guide. And the answer to the next question…
Where can I drink good coffee when I’m in Colombia?
When I moved to Latin America I was blown away by the quality of coffee. I could get it freshly ground at the market, and I longed for those intense aromas and tastes.
Of course, this was back in the mid-1990s, when the quality of coffee in the United States was still quite pitiful.
So depending on what you’re used to drinking at home and what you’re expecting, you might be pleased – or feel horrified – by the coffee you drink in Colombia.
If you drink specialty coffee at home, you may be disappointed by the typical coffee served in Colombia. And if you mostly drink espresso back home, Colombian coffee will seem weak.
Have no fear, though, because in this guide I’ve included links to excellent coffee shops that will not disappoint you. And if you’d like to learn about Colombian coffee during a fun, dynamic workshop, join us to learn about Colombian coffee.
Where can you drink good coffee in Colombia?
If you’re used to drinking coffee from major coffee chains in your home country, you might be pleased with just about any coffee in bakeries, restaurants, and cafés in Colombia.
If you’re looking for good espresso, stick to specialty coffee shops that are popping up around the country, even in small towns.
And if you’re used to specialty coffee shops, search out the best specialty coffee shops in Colombia and you won’t be disappointed.
Learn about Colombian coffee with us in our fun in-person coffee workshops.
What does Colombian coffee taste like?
Colombian coffee is known for being sweet (think caramel or raw sugar) with good body.
However, coffee from Colombia goes far beyond that simple description. You’ll find chocolatey coffees, fruity ones, nutty ones, and every combination of flavors you can imagine. You’ll find bright coffees and smooth ones. Your coffee may have a heavy body or seem tea-like.
Enjoy the ride.
Learn more about regional differences in coffees – and how they affect tastes – in this article.
How do Colombians brew coffee?
How do Colombians brew coffee, drink it, and share it with friends and family?
Read about it in our article How do Colombians Brew Coffee?
How do Colombians drink coffee?
When you order a coffee in Colombia, you have two basic choices:
- tinto: a black coffee or
- café: a coffee with milk
In Colombia a black coffee is called tinto. That word can mean “dark.” A tinto is generally small, about 4-6 ounces. It’s not usually intense, and it’s often heavily sweetened.
You can’t ask for milk with your tinto. If you want milk in your coffee, ask for a café.
A word of warning: in Colombia a café is a coffee with milk. Here, it is not just the word for coffee (as it is in other Spanish-speaking countries).
If you want a black coffee and you order a café, you will be terribly disappointed. A café here is a big cup of milk with a tiny bit of coffee in it, often heavily sweetened.
Now that you know what coffee you want, how do you order it?
How do I order a coffee in Colombia?
When you visit Colombia you’ll be offered coffee everywhere. Whether you’re visiting a friend or you’re walking down the street, you’ll hear it.
“¿Quieres un tintico?” (Would you like a little coffee?). It’s one of the most common phrases we hear in Colombia.
In Colombia you can order your coffee in several ways:
- The most direct way: “Quiero un café.” (I want a coffee with milk)
- The more polite way: “Me puede dar un café?” (Could you give me a coffee with milk?)
- The most Colombian way: “Vecino, ¿me regala un tinto?” (Neighbor, can I have a black coffee?)
And of course, accompanying that request with “por favor” and a smile will always win you a smile in return.
Learn how to order an espresso-based drink in Colombia.
Is tinto good coffee?
Tinto, the Colombian term for black coffee, is the ever-present friend of Colombians. You’ll find tinto on every city street corner, on every coffee farm, and you’ll be served tinto every morning when you stay with a Colombian friend, at a hotel, or in a hostel.
It’s generally not a large cup of coffee, and it often comes heavily sweetened.
What about the quality of tinto?
That varies drastically from place to place.
Along the coast you might order a tinto and get instant coffee. No comment there.
At a nice restaurant you might like your tinto, which will be balanced, naturally sweet, and have a hint of chocolate.
At your friend’s house you might find that her grandmother is the best tinto-maker in the city. As you sip your small cup of hot coffee you’ll be so glad you’re visiting Colombia.
If you buy it from a man selling it from a thermos on the street, it may taste like ashes, fish, butter, or anything else that was in his kitchen when he made the coffee. Recommended only as a cultural experience or in times of desperation.
And if you order it at a Colombian bakery, it can be sweet, comforting, and homey.
Keep in mind that Colombians in general do not consume the highest quality coffee, which is exported. Also, coffee will often be over-roasted, brewed with boiling water (and bitter), or the taste altered with spices or fruit.
Who is Juan Valdez?
Juan Valdez, the coffee guy with the donkey, is perhaps the most famous coffee grower of all time.
But who is Juan Valdez? Does this celebrated coffee grower represent something larger than himself?
Let us walk you through the history of this well-known coffee grower and how he’s affected the coffee industry for decades. Read Who is Juan Valdez?
Where can I buy Juan Valdez coffee?
In Colombia, you will find more than 300 Juan Valdez coffee shops scattered all over the country.
You can also buy Juan Valdez coffee online while you’re in Colombia.
If you want to buy some on your way home, you’ll find a Juan Valdez shop at all international airports.
If you’re already back home, you can buy it on the internet or in some major cities worldwide.
Is Juan Valdez coffee good?
What constitutes good coffee is different for everyone. The best way to decide if Juan Valdez coffee is good is to try it yourself!
What are the benefits of Juan Valdez coffee?
- readily available in Colombia
- comes in beautiful packaging
- 100% Colombian coffee (not true of all coffee sold in Colombia)
- strikes a cultural chord with many foreigners
However, there are thousands of coffee brands in Colombia – and many of them will ship coffee around the world.
You might find a coffee you love when exploring a farmers market, traveling around the Eje Cafetero, or just walking down any street.
If you’re looking for specialty coffee, we have the list of coffee shops to visit in Bogota. They generally ship internationally or around Colombia.
What are the Colombian coffee-growing regions?
From north to south and east to west, coffee is grown all around Colombia. There are 5 main coffee-growing areas and 19 sub-regions. That’s a lot of regions to go over.
We often break them down into 4 main areas: north, central north, central south, and east.
(Yup, the whole country).
Read the details about coffee regions in Colombia.
What is panela?
Panela is a form of sugar that is very, very raw or unrefined. It’s typical all over Latin America, and it goes by different names in every country. In other Latin American countries you might have heard it called chancaca, piloncillo, or rapadura.
How is it made?
Sugarcane is cut down and pressed to release its juice. Then that juice is boiled down and evaporated. The semi-liquid mush is then formed into blocks and fully dried.
You’ll generally be served grated panela, or it will be ground into a powder.
Panela is not brown sugar. Brown sugar is white sugar with molasses added. Panela is the most unrefined form of cane sugar and has a unique taste.
Panela will taste different depending on the soil the sugar cane was grown in, how it was processed, and how it was packaged. It can taste mild, almost like caramel. It can be fruity, floral, or pungent.
Panela is very common throughout Colombia. It does have a strong taste, which you may or may not want in your coffee. Panela can taste great in desserts or jam, or as a sweetener for tea.
However, you should certainly give panela a try, and consider taking panela candies or blocks home with you as a souvenir.
If you buy it in blocks, the easiest way to use it is to grate it with a grater. Trying to chop up those hard blocks can result in a knife injury, so beware!
What makes a good Colombian coffee souvenir?
High-quality coffee is grown in Colombia from 900 to about 2,100 meters (3,000 to over 6,000 feet) above sea level. It’s grown all over the country, from north to south.
Almost 500,000 coffee growers produce some of the best coffee in the world. In the shade of avocado, walnut or fruit trees, small coffee plantations are normally a family affair, and the business is often passed down from generation to generation.
Those factors make Colombian coffee a fantastic artisan gift. And good coffee souvenirs in Colombia go beyond just bags of coffee at a supermarket.
What coffee souvenirs can you take home with you? You can purchase most of the following items at a coffee shop, farmers market, outdoor fair, or supermarket:
- Colombian coffee
- A colador brewing method
- Any coffee brewing method!
- Coffee cups
- Chocolate covered coffee beans
- Coffee cookies
- Coffee candies
- Coffee books
Or learn about coffee in Colombia on our virtual Colombian Coffee Workshop – an excellent way to prepare for a visit to Colombia or share your memories of Colombian coffee education with people you love back home. 
Is Colombian coffee good?
You’re reading a website that’s dedicated to coffee in Colombia. Obviously, we’re a bit partial.
But yes, Colombian coffee is often great. And it’s not just because we live here.
There are some solid reasons why Colombia has that reputation of producing great coffee. Find out in our Is Colombian Coffee Really Better? article.
Is Colombian coffee expensive?
Yes.
Colombian coffee starts with a higher quality coffee species, Arabica. Arabica is a bit pickier to cultivate, which makes it more expensive.
Also, coffee in Colombia is grown on small farms on the steep slopes of mountains. That means the coffee has to be hand-picked (no way to get machines on those steep hills).
Coffee is often taken from the farms to the market by donkey, since vehicles – even those tough Jeep Willys – can’t get up those narrow steep roads.
Also, the Colombian coffee brand is zealously protected by the FNC or Fedecafé. That results in higher-quality coffee and a premium on the stock market.
So yes, Colombian coffee is often more expensive – and worth it.
Should I buy Colombian coffee in a supermarket?
In our opinion, you should never buy any coffee in most supermarkets. Why?
You want the freshest coffee possible. You wouldn’t want bread from a bakery if you knew it was five months old, would you?
Don’t settle for old coffee, either. Often, coffee in supermarkets is months old. To get the freshest coffee, buy it from a coffee shop or online from a roaster.
What coffee shops should I visit in Bogota?
The last few years have been good for specialty coffee shops in Bogota, with a blossoming of shops from north to south. Those shops took a hit in 2020 with the spread of coronavirus, but there are still many that are making it through the pandemic and are open for business.
Sniffing out good coffee is a rewarding challenge when visiting Bogota, and you may have to travel a bit to get to all of the shops. It’s well worth the effort.
Here’s the list of coffee shops to visit in Bogota.
If you’re interested in expat life and how to enjoy living abroad, check out the new book by the founder of Flavors of Bogota, Get Lost! Live Abroad and Love It.
Where can I learn about Colombian coffee?
We have plenty of free resources about Colombian coffee!
We also have Specialty Coffee Experiences that will guide you to some of the best coffee shops in Colombia and help you understand:
- how Colombians drink coffee
- coffee history in Colombia
- how coffee has impacted culture and life here in Colombia
- why coffee is more important than ever to the present and future of Colombia
- how you can help by purchasing the right kind of coffee
Learn about Colombian coffee in a whole new way.
Coffee courses and workshops
Are you planning a trip to Colombia? Do you want to learn all about coffee in Colombia before arriving?
If you start learning now, when you get here you’ll be prepared to taste the best coffee the country has to offer – and understand the stories behind the cup.
With our Colombian Coffee Workshop you won’t miss out on learning about coffee in Colombia.
We also have coffee courses for coffee lovers as well as coffee professionals. See the most popular Latin American Coffee Academy courses.
We also have coffee workshops for professionals in the coffee industry.
What are coffee-growing regions?
When we talk about coffee, we talk about regions. What are coffee-growing regions?
It’s simple – a coffee-growing region is the area where coffee is grown.
For instance, when you buy coffee in Colombia, you’ll see the names of the coffee-growing region on bags of specialty coffee.
Those names are the names of the department, which is the state or province. Some names you’ll frequently see are: Quindío, Cundinamarca, Tolima, Nariño, Huila, Santander, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Antioquia.
In this article we explain coffee-growing regions in detail.
What is the best coffee-growing region to visit in Colombia?
One of the most accessible coffee-growing regions is in the center of the country. Called the Eje Cafetero, it’s a group of several states, or departments. You’ll also hear it referred to as the Coffee Axis or Coffee Triangle.
What will you find there?
Well…coffee (of course). There is an abundance of coffee farms everywhere. In fact, it can seem like coffee grows like weeds on any random patch of soil.
But in the Eje Cafetero you’ll also find adorable towns, typical architecture formed around coffee production, delicious and hearty food, coffee parks, vibrant wildlife, and the friendliest people in the world.
Some of our favorite towns to explore are Filandia, Salento, Pijao, Genova, and Marsella. You’ll also find the major form of transportation to coffee farms: Jeep Willys and donkeys.
Should I slurp Colombian coffee?
Your initial reaction might be to say “NO!”
But we’ll take you through the reality in this article and video, Why you Should Slurp Coffee. We’ll answer:
- Could slurping ever be a good thing?
- Who slurps coffee?
- Coffee slurping definition
- What happens if you don’t slurp coffee
- How to slurp coffee
How can I help coffee growers make a decent living?
Everyone in the coffee chain needs to know about sustainability. This isn’t just for the Chief Sustainability Officer or for those who are part of sustainability teams.
It’s for all of us, from the casual coffee drinker all the way to CEOs of major coffee companies.
Why? Because we all care about the planet and the people who live on it. Our values include caring for each other, not exploiting each other.
The sad truth is that the present state of the coffee industry at times promotes exploiting people who work in the coffee industry. That especially applies to growers and others who work cultivating and processing coffee. Find out about coffee sustainability and how you can help.
How can specialty coffee create hope?
Learn more about coffee in Colombia
Read more about Colombian coffee with our free coffee resources.
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