The Best Coffee in Colombia

Colombia is a massive coffee producer with a global reputation for its exceptional quality and unique flavors. Coffee has been an integral part of Colombia’s economy and culture for over a century, and the country is home to some of the most distinguished coffee-growing regions in the world.

Is There Actually a Best Coffee in Colombia?

The preference for coffee flavor varies from person to person, depending on a multitude of factors including cultural background, personal taste, and individual experience. Therefore, what might be considered the best cup of coffee by one person may not be the same for another. Colombia’s coffee industry is rich and diverse, with many exceptional coffees to choose from. For this reason, we decided to make a list of the best coffees in Colombia because it’s impossible to choose just one.

Coffee field in the Risaralda department of Colombia. Andes mountains.
A lush green coffee field in the Risaralda department of Colombia 30 minutes from Pereira. Image by Erik Magnus.

The Best Coffee in Colombia – by Region

Colombian coffee is widely regarded as some of the best in the world due to its rich aroma, balanced acidity, and chocolatey flavor notes. It’s grown in a diverse range of regions, each with its own unique microclimate and soil composition that contributes to the distinctive flavor of the coffee. The following are some of the best coffee-producing regions and coffee brands in Colombia.

Huila

Finca La Florida - a coffee farm in Acevedo, Colombia.
Finca La Florida – a coffee farm in Acevedo, Colombia. Huila department. Image by Javier Rojas.

Huila is located in the southern part of Colombia and is known for its medium-bodied coffee with a bright acidity and notes of caramel and citrus. Huila coffee is grown at high altitudes, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. Some of the best coffee brands from Huila include:

  1. La Plata Huila Coffee – This brand produces single-origin coffee from the town of La Plata, Huila. Their coffee is grown at high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor profile with notes of caramel, chocolate, and fruit.
  2. Pitalito Coffee – Pitalito Coffee is produced in the town of Pitalito, located in the heart of Huila. The coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, making it a popular choice among specialty coffee enthusiasts.
  3. Cafetalera La Meseta – This brand is known for its sustainable farming practices and commitment to producing high-quality coffee. Their coffee is grown in the La Meseta region of Huila and has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and citrus.
  4. Nueva Lengua Coffee – Nueva Lengua Coffee is a small-batch roaster that produces single-origin coffee from the Huila region. Their coffee is roasted to highlight the unique flavor profile of each origin, with notes of fruit, chocolate, and caramel.
  5. Finca El Ocaso – Finca El Ocaso is a family-owned coffee farm located in Huila. They produce single-origin coffee with a rich and full-bodied flavor profile, with notes of chocolate, nuts, and fruit.

Tolima

A rice plantation in Saldana. Colombia.
A rice plantation in Saldana. In the Tolima department, rice and coffee grow side-by-side as neighbors. Image courtesy of Chilangoco.

Tolima is located in central Colombia and produces coffee with a medium body and a floral aroma. Tolima coffee is grown in volcanic soil, which gives it a slightly nutty taste. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Tolima:

  1. Planadas Coffee – Planadas Coffee is a single-origin coffee brand that is grown and produced in the Planadas municipality of Tolima. The coffee has a smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of chocolate and caramel.
  2. Cafetalera La Pradera – Cafetalera La Pradera is a family-owned coffee farm that produces single-origin coffee from Tolima. Their coffee has a unique flavor profile with notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate.
  3. La Chapolera Coffee – La Chapolera Coffee is a small-batch coffee roaster that sources its beans from Tolima. Their coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, with a smooth finish.
  4. El Jordán Coffee – El Jordán Coffee is a cooperative of small-scale coffee farmers in Tolima. Their coffee is grown at high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor profile with notes of fruit, chocolate, and nuts.
  5. San Sebastián Coffee – San Sebastián Coffee is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Tolima. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and chocolate.

Nariño

 La Cocha lake, Colombia.
La Cocha is a lake in the Narino department sitting 9000 feet above sea level. Full-bodied flavor lives here. Image courtesy of Lombana.

Nariño is located in the southwest part of Colombia and is known for its full-bodied coffee with a bright acidity and notes of chocolate and berries. Nariño coffee is grown at high altitudes in the Andes Mountains, which contributes to its distinct flavor. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Nariño:

  1. Buesaco Coffee – Buesaco Coffee is a single-origin coffee brand from the Buesaco municipality in Nariño. Their coffee has a unique flavor profile with notes of chocolate, fruit, and nuts.
  2. Café de Altura Inga – Café de Altura Inga is a cooperative of small-scale coffee farmers in Nariño. Their coffee is grown at high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor profile with notes of citrus, caramel, and chocolate.
  3. La Victoria Coffee – La Victoria Coffee is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Nariño. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of fruit and nuts.
  4. Café San Agustín – Café San Agustín is a single-origin coffee brand from the San Agustín municipality in Nariño. Their coffee has a rich and full-bodied flavor profile, with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  5. El Obraje Coffee – El Obraje Coffee is a small-batch coffee roaster that sources its beans from Nariño. Their coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, with a smooth finish.

Cauca

Cafe Mesa de Los Santos - Cauca Colombia.
Cafe Mesa de Los Santos – Cauca department. Image by Erik Magnus.

Cauca is located in the western part of Colombia and produces coffee with a full body and a sweet, nutty flavor. Cauca coffee is grown in fertile soil and has a low acidity level, making it easy to drink. Some of the best coffee brands from Cauca include:

  1. Café Mesa de los Santos – Café Mesa de los Santos is a single-origin coffee brand that is grown and produced in the municipality of Piendamó in Cauca. Their coffee has a smooth and well-balanced flavor profile, with notes of caramel and chocolate.
  2. Café Granja La Esperanza – Café Granja La Esperanza is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Cauca. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate.
  3. Café Monteverde – Café Monteverde is a cooperative of small-scale coffee farmers in Cauca. Their coffee is grown at high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor profile with notes of citrus and floral tones.
  4. Pergamino Café – Pergamino Café is a small-batch coffee roaster that sources its beans from Cauca. Their coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, with a smooth finish.
  5. Café Azahar – Café Azahar is a single-origin coffee brand from the municipality of Argelia in Cauca. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and caramel.

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta - Aerial image of the city and surrounding landscape.
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region is home to some of the highest coffee farms in the world. Image by Erik Magnus

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region is located in the north of Colombia and is home to some of the highest coffee farms in the world. The coffee from this region has a unique flavor profile with notes of citrus and spices, thanks to the region’s unique microclimate. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta:

  1. La Palma y El Tucán – La Palma y El Tucán is a coffee farm and processing facility located in the municipality of Zipacón in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their coffee has a unique flavor profile with notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate.
  2. El Jordan Coffee – El Jordan Coffee is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and chocolate.
  3. Mincafé – Mincafé is a cooperative of small-scale coffee farmers in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their coffee is grown at high altitudes, giving it a unique flavor profile with notes of citrus and floral tones.
  4. Buena Vista Coffee – Buena Vista Coffee is a single-origin coffee brand from the municipality of Ciénaga in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and nuts.
  5. Tayronaca – Tayronaca is a coffee farm and processing facility located in the municipality of Santa Marta in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Their coffee has a rich and full-bodied flavor profile, with notes of chocolate and nuts.

Antioquia

Landscape surrounding Medellin, Colombia
Fields and mountains surrounding Medellin in the Antioquia department. Coffee from Antioquia is grown in volcanic soil, which contributes to it’s unique flavor. Image by Erik Magnus.

Antioquia is located in the northwest part of Colombia and produces coffee with a medium to high acidity level, balanced body, and notes of chocolate and fruit. Antioquia coffee is grown in volcanic soil, which contributes to its unique flavor. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Antioquia:

  1. Hacienda La Pradera – Hacienda La Pradera is a coffee farm located in the municipality of Fredonia in Antioquia. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  2. Pergamino Café – Pergamino Café is a small-batch coffee roaster that sources its beans from Antioquia. Their coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, with a smooth finish.
  3. Café San Alberto – Café San Alberto is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Antioquia. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit and chocolate.
  4. Amor Perfecto – Amor Perfecto is a coffee roaster and cafe that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Antioquia. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and nuts.
  5. Café Granja La Esperanza – Café Granja La Esperanza is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Antioquia. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate.

Caldas

Coffee tree berries Colombia
Berries at different stages of ripeness on a branch in the Zona Cafetera. Image by Andres Hernandez.

Caldas is located in central Colombia and produces coffee with a medium body, bright acidity, and notes of caramel and fruit. Caldas coffee is grown in mountainous terrain, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. Some of the best coffee brands from Caldas include:

  1. Café de Altura Los Nevados – Café de Altura Los Nevados is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Chinchiná in Caldas. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and nuts.
  2. Café San Alberto – Café San Alberto is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Caldas. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit and chocolate.
  3. Amor Perfecto – Amor Perfecto is a coffee roaster and cafe that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Caldas. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel and nuts.
  4. El Hato Coffee – El Hato Coffee is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Caldas. Their coffee has a unique flavor profile with notes of berries and citrus.
  5. Café Jesús Martín – Café Jesús Martín is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Caldas. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.

Want to take a coffee farm tour in Caldas? Check out the “Hacienda Venecia Coffee Farm Experience” located in Manizales, Colombia!

Risaralda – The Best Coffee in Colombia – Writer’s Choice #1

Coffee Field Risaralda.
Coffee fields are found in abundance on the hillsides and mountains of Risaralda, Colombia. Image by Erik Magnus.

Risaralda is located in the central part of Colombia (coffee triangle) and produces coffee with a medium body, bright acidity, and notes of chocolate and fruit. Risaralda coffee is grown in fertile soil, which contributes to its unique flavor. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Risaralda:

  1. Café San Alberto – Café San Alberto is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Risaralda. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit and chocolate.
  2. Finca El Ocaso – Finca El Ocaso is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Santuario in Risaralda. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  3. Hacienda Venecia – Hacienda Venecia is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Manizales in Risaralda. Their coffee has a bright acidity and fruity notes, with a smooth finish.
  4. Café Jesús Martín – Café Jesús Martín is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Risaralda. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  5. Café Granja La Esperanza – Café Granja La Esperanza is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Risaralda. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit, nuts, and chocolate.

Quindío – The Best Coffee in Colombia – Writer’s Choice #2

Colombian National Coffee Park
Parque Nacional del Café (Colombian National Coffee Park) – Quindío, Colombia. Image courtesy of Uria Ashkenazy.

Quindío is located in the central part of Colombia and produces coffee with a medium body, bright acidity, and notes of chocolate and caramel. Quindío coffee is grown in volcanic soil, which contributes to its unique flavor profile. Here are some of the best coffee brands from Quindio:

  1. Café Quindío – Café Quindío is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Quindio. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  2. Finca El Paraiso – Finca El Paraiso is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Buenavista in Quindio. Their coffee has a bright acidity and floral notes, with a caramel finish.
  3. Café San Alberto – Café San Alberto is a family-owned coffee farm that produces specialty coffee in Quindio. Their coffee has a complex flavor profile with notes of fruit and chocolate.
  4. Café Jesús Martín – Café Jesús Martín is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Quindio. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of chocolate and nuts.
  5. Finca La Joya – Finca La Joya is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Montenegro in Quindio. Their coffee has a rich, full-bodied flavor with notes of dark chocolate and red fruits.

Meta

Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia
Villavicencio – in Meta, beans are grown in fertile soil and have a slightly smoky taste, thanks to the region’s unique drying process. Photo by Felipe Castilla.

Meta is located in the eastern part of Colombia and produces coffee with a full body, low acidity, and notes of chocolate and nut. Meta coffee is grown in fertile soil and has a slightly smoky taste, thanks to the region’s unique drying process. Some of the best coffee brands from Cauca include:

  1. Café Loma Linda – Café Loma Linda is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Guamal in Meta. Their coffee has a sweet, fruity flavor with notes of chocolate and caramel.
  2. Hacienda La Pradera – Hacienda La Pradera is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of San Juan de Arama in Meta. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of nuts and cocoa.
  3. Café Kossa – Café Kossa is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Meta. Their coffee has a medium body and a bright acidity, with notes of berries and dark chocolate.
  4. Finca Los Pinos – Finca Los Pinos is a coffee farm and roastery located in the municipality of Castilla la Nueva in Meta. Their coffee has a full-bodied flavor with notes of chocolate and a smooth finish.
  5. Café Monteverde – Café Monteverde is a coffee roaster that sources its beans from various regions in Colombia, including Meta. Their coffee has a well-balanced flavor profile with notes of nuts and cocoa.

Why is Colombian Coffee So Special?

Colombian coffee has a reputation for being some of the best in the world due to several factors. First, Colombia’s unique geography and climate provide ideal growing conditions for coffee. The country is situated in the tropics and has a range of microclimates, from the Andes Mountains to the Caribbean coast. This diversity in climate and terrain allows for the cultivation of coffee with different flavor profiles and characteristics.

Second, Colombian coffee is produced using traditional methods that have been passed down for generations. Many coffee farms in Colombia are small, family-owned operations that take great pride in their coffee. They use organic and sustainable farming practices and hand-pick the coffee beans to ensure the highest quality.

Third, Colombian coffee is produced using the Arabica bean, which is known for its high quality and complex flavor profile. The Arabica bean is more delicate and requires more care and attention during cultivation and processing, but the end result is a superior cup of coffee.

Now, go find the best coffee in Colombia!

Colombian coffee is some of the best in the world, thanks to the country’s unique geography, traditional farming practices, and use of high-quality Arabica beans. Whether you prefer a medium-bodied coffee with bright acidity or a full-bodied coffee with a chocolatey flavor, there is a Colombian coffee that will suit your taste. So next time you’re looking for a delicious and flavorful cup of coffee, look no further than Colombia. We hope this will help you on your journey to find the best coffee in Colombia!

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Erik Magnus

About the Author

Erik Magnus is a writer, editor, blogger & webmaster. He is one of the main contributors to Colombia Please & spends a significant portion of each year in the country of Colombia.

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