7 Best Colombian Coffee Brands

Colombia is one of the top coffee producing countries in the world. Sitting comfortably within The Coffee Belt, Colombia benefits from an ideal climate and growing conditions all year. Colombian coffee has a signature taste profile that most people are familiar with. 

The flavor profile and associated character of Colombian coffee are actually what most people associate with coffee in general. That's how common it is! Most any coffee drinker will enjoy a cup of Colombian coffee, and inexperienced individuals will find the flavor of Colombian coffee beans to be quite accessible.

Glad you asked. The fact of the matter is that Colombia produces a massive amount of coffee, and among that exists significant variation. The best Colombian coffee brands provide some of the best tasting coffee in the world. 

You’ve probably tasted Colombian coffee, but have you tasted the best Colombian coffee? Because the options are endless, we’ve compiled a list of our 7 best Colombian coffee brands to help you weigh your options and find something new to try!

Still overwhelmed by options? You can't go wrong with any of these 7 Colombian beans, but if you're really stuck, give Bucaramanga Coffee a try!

The differences between Colombian coffee and Columbian coffee are actually quite pronounced, which comes as a surprise to most people...

Just kidding, there is no difference!

Colombia is frequently spelled “Columbia” in error, so frequently that many Colombian coffee brands actually use this 'alternate' spelling.

If you ever find yourself in Colombia, or in the company of Colombians, make sure to spell it correctly! 

While there is great variety in the flavor profiles of Colombian coffee beans, each can be traced back to the signature Colombian coffee taste. You can expect your Colombian coffee to have at least a few of the following characteristics;

Each of the Colombian coffees in our list start with something like this, and then put their own distinguished spin on this expected profile.

Colombia is not an enormous country, so how is it that they are able to produce so much coffee? 

There is a method to the madness, and it starts with The Coffee Belt.

But seriously, The Coffee Belt essentially just refers to a range of latitude (North/South coordinates) that center around the equator. Areas that fall within this range often have an ideal climate for growing coffee throughout the whole year.

As you can see by in our incredibly detailed coffee bean belt map, Colombia sits pretty much in the middle of The Coffee Belt.

The Colombian Coffee Axis, also known as the Colombian Coffee Triangle, refers to a specific triangular region in Colombia. This Colombian coffee triangle is responsible for the majority of the coffee production in Colombia, and includes the Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda departments.

These departments are located in prime Colombian terrain, within the Andean region. The high elevation, mountainous landscapes of the Andes, paired with the optimal climate of The Coffee Belt, lead to Colombia’s world renowned luxury coffee. 

There are also a number of geographically distinct coffee growing regions outside of the coffee triangle that only add to the variety that Colombia has to offer. We did our best to include the best Colombian coffee beans from both from inside and outside of the coffee triangle.

No discussion of Colombian coffee beans is complete without mention to the term Supremo. You’ve probably seen it attached to a number of Colombian coffee brands.

So what is Supremo coffee? Glad you asked.

Supremo refers to the highest of coffee grades in the Colombian coffee grading system.

Coffee is sorted using sieves of varying size perforations, and supremo coffee beans are the largest of the bunch. Coffee bean size is widely thought to be correlated with flavor.

We’ll let you test out a supremo bean or two and judge that yourself!

The history of coffee in Colombia is deeply intertwined with the country's culture, economy, and identity. Coffee production in Colombia has a long and storied history, and Colombia is renowned as one of the world's top coffee producers.

Coffee was first introduced to Colombia in the early 18th century by Jesuit priests. The plants were initially brought to the country from the Caribbean island of Martinique. Coffee cultivation began in the northeastern region of the country, particularly in the department of Santander.

During the 19th century, coffee production expanded rapidly in Colombia. The country's diverse microclimates, with varying altitudes and fertile soils, provided ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. Coffee plantations emerged in various regions, including the famous coffee-growing regions of Armenia, Manizales, and Pereira, collectively known as the Coffee Triangle (see map above).

The growth of coffee production in Colombia during the 19th century was facilitated by the development of transportation infrastructure, such as roads and railroads, which improved access to coffee-growing areas and facilitated trade. The Colombian government also played a crucial role in supporting the industry's development by offering incentives to farmers and promoting coffee exports.

In the early 20th century, Colombia faced challenges such as political instability, economic fluctuations, and natural disasters that impacted coffee production. However, the resilience of Colombian coffee farmers and their commitment to quality helped the industry rebound.

To support and regulate coffee production, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) was established in 1927. The FNC has played a pivotal role in promoting sustainable practices, research, and marketing efforts, as well as in supporting the social and economic welfare of coffee farmers.

Colombia's coffee industry also gained prominence through the creation of the Juan Valdez Café brand, launched in 1959. The brand, named after a fictional coffee farmer character, became an iconic symbol of Colombian coffee worldwide, representing the quality and authenticity of Colombian coffee production.

Today, Colombia is recognized as one of the world's top coffee-producing countries and a leading producer of high-quality Arabica coffee. The Coffee Triangle remains a significant coffee-growing region, but coffee is cultivated in numerous other parts of the country as well.

Colombian coffee continues to be sought after for its exceptional quality, and the country's coffee farmers are known for their dedication to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Coffee tourism has also flourished in Colombia, with visitors having the opportunity to visit coffee farms, participate in coffee tastings, and experience the vibrant coffee culture firsthand.

Coffee remains a vital part of Colombian society, representing national pride and serving as an engine for economic development and social welfare in many rural communities.

Okay, that’s enough learning for one day, let’s get to the good stuff. Here are our 7 best Colombian coffee beans. Hopefully you find something new to try!

And that’s that, thanks for sticking around until the end. Let us know which Colombian coffees you prefer, and if you have any suggestions for us to try! We’re always happy to indulge in a new coffee, especially a Colombian one. 

Psst, hey! Just between you and me, here’s one more Colombian coffee!