The Best Colombian Coffee Brands
November 4th, 2023 | by Erik Magnus | Posted in Coffee, Featured
Colombian coffee is renowned worldwide for its exceptional quality, rich flavors and distinct aroma. It’s an integral part of Colombia’s cultural and economic identity and has carved out a special place in the global coffee industry by consistently delivering beans that are cherished by coffee enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. However, the question remains, what are the best Colombian coffee brands?
The Best Colombian Coffee Brands We Tried In 2023
In this article, we will embark on a journey through the world of Colombian coffee and explore 10 brands we personally tried in 2023. Some of these brands are common while others are extremely rare. From the verdant coffee plantations nestled in the Andes Mountains to the complex flavors in every cup, Colombia truly does grow some of the best coffee in the world. Let’s get started!
Cafe La Arzacia
Cafe La Arzacia is a coffee brand that originates from a farm (Finca La Arzacia) in Salento, Colombia. The farm is family owned and operated, has been in business for more than 15 years and offers tours of their facilities. During the tour, visitors have the opportunity to learn about the coffee process, from planting, harvesting, pulping, fermentation, washing, drying, roasting, grinding and packaging. It’s fun!
Salento is located in the coffee triangle and is a popular destination for coffee tourism. Its altitude, climate, soil and biodiversity make it a excellent location for coffee cultivation. This particular bean had a light, aromatic, earthy and fresh feel with a hint of citrus and chocolate. La Arzacia is not the easiest coffee brand to find, but if you’re near Salento I would recommend taking the time to find it!
Maxti Cafe
Maxti Cafe is a chocolate shop in Dosquebradas, Colombia which is located near Pereira in the heart of the coffee triangle. Although Maxti Cafe is technically considered a chocolate shop, they also have their own brand of coffee they sell in four different sizes. Since this brand is owned by a chocolate shop it would only make sense that it has heavy hints of chocolate. You can find this coffee for sale on their website (Maxti Cafe).
Cafe Nubado
Cafe Nubado is a coffee brand that comes exclusively from “La Pastorita”, a coffee farm in Manzanares, a small Municipality nestled in the center of the Andes Mountains in central Colombia. Sitting at an elevation of almost 6000 feet, Manzanares provides a nutrient-rich terrain full of volcanic soil and abundant water tributaries.The brand was founded by Don Marino Villarraga, his wife Edid Bermudez and their sons in 1965.
Today, the company takes pride in being a 4th generation cultivator of specialty coffee. Cafe Nubado offers three types of beans including honey, natural and washed. They are available for sale on their website. This coffee is definitely worth a try!
San Alberto
San Alberto claims to be Colombia’s most award winning coffee and luxury brand. They describe the soil at San Alberto Estate in Buena Vista, Colombia as blessed. With sweet aromatic notes of dark chocolate and caramel with a fruit-like acidity, San Alberto definitely lives up to its name. The blend is light and delicious. If you want to know more about their five step selection process to find the best beans and taste from each harvest, take a moment to check out Cafe San Alberto online.
Is San Alberto the best Colombian coffee brand? Honestly, it’s hard to say, there are so many small batch niche coffee farms scattered throughout the country it’s impossible to choose in my opinion.
Cafe Don Rey
Cafe Don Rey is a coffee from Marsella, Colombia. Marsella is a small town (population around 15,000) in the Andes mountains about 15 miles from Pereira. Marsella stands at an elevation of over 5,000 feet and has a warm and often humid overcast making it a prime location for growing Arabica beans. Cafe Don Rey is a flavorful cup of coffee with a strong espresso taste and feeling. The bag reads quality, flavor and aroma in each cup, I would have to agree. It’s a great morning coffee to wake up and get going!
Cafe La Loma
Cafe La Loma is a brand of coffee that’s part of the Manizales Coffee Farmers Cooperative. Manizales is located in the coffee triangle and stands at an elevation of over 7,000 feet. It’s a perfect place to grow high-quality coffee. The farmers in this region have also been perfecting their craft for generations. I enjoyed La Loma and would describe it as earthy, light and wholesome with a refreshing citrus aroma.
Cafe Quindio
Cafe Quindío is a renowned coffee brand from the Quindío department in Colombia. It’s one of the most respected and recognizable coffee brands in Colombia and has gained international recognition for its commitment to quality and sustainability. I would describe this coffee as smooth, mild and balanced. It’s medium-bodied with a hint of fruit, nut and chocolate. This is a favorite choice for coffee lovers in Colombia and around the world. If you want to order a bag, check out Cafe Quindio USA!
Cafe Salento
Cafe Salento makes delicious coffee. It’s grown in fertile soil and ideal microclimates. The beans are renowned for their exceptional quality and unique flavor, they’re also handpicked and meticulously processed, resulting in a medium-bodied coffee with a well-balanced taste. This coffee is characterized by its delightful combination of nutty undertones, bright acidity, and subtle fruity notes, making it a distinct and unforgettable Colombian coffee.
Cafe Salento is also committed to sustainable and ethical farming practices which ensures that every cup of their coffee not only delights the palate but reflects the care and dedication of local farmers. Cafe Salento is definitely one of the best Colombian coffee brands!
Cafe Simbolo
Cafe Simbolo is a coffee shop and farm nestled in the center of the coffee axis in Santa Rosa De Cabal, a picturesque town in the Andes mountains near Pereira. A family of peasants created the company six generations ago and to this day it remains a family-owned business with unique traditions and continued excellence.
The coffee from this region often showcases a medium body with distinct notes of nuttiness, mild citrus, and a hint of caramel sweetness. As a result, Cafe Simbolo’s coffee is not only a treat for the taste buds but also a testament to the cultural and environmental richness of the area.
Juan Valdez
Juan Valdez is an iconic Colombian coffee brand named after a fictional coffee farmer from Colombia. It’s known for its high-quality, 100% Arabica beans and is probably the most well-known coffee on this list. The brand is celebrated for its rich, well-balanced flavor profile, often showcasing notes of mild citrus, chocolate, and nutty undertones. With a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, Juan Valdez not only delivers exceptional coffee but also supports the livelihoods of local coffee growers, making it a beloved choice for coffee lovers worldwide.
That’s it folks! A list of the best Colombian coffee brands we tried in 2023, we hope you liked it!
If you want to learn more about Colombian Coffee, check out these articles below!
Erik Magnus
