When browsing a coffee shop menu or buying a bag of coffee beans off the shelf, it’s important to know what makes each type of coffee special. You might be interested in trying something different, such as Colombian coffee, but hesitate out of uncertainty. It’s time to change that!
Colombia is famous for growing some of the best coffee beans in the world; the plants thrive under the shade of banana trees in the tropical climate. Because of Colombia’s high altitude, it also shapes the way the bean grows.
While the country produces a crazy amount of coffee, it actually exports a lot of its best beans. While going to Colombia for your next brew is an awesome idea, you can also get your hands on the beans and brew them at home!
Is Colombian Coffee Good?
In short, yes, the unique flavors and strong aroma make Colombian coffee a fan favorite. So what makes it so special and desirable? When we talk about coffee from specific locations, we typically discuss a traditional method of brewing or roasting. Coffee culture is unique across the number of countries that love coffee all over the world. With Colombian coffee, we aren’t necessarily talking about a method of brewing or roasting, but how the bean is grown.
Colombia is actually a near-perfect coffee growing climate, and Colombian coffee produces a specific type of bean that results from the environment. Colombia gets heavy rainfall and the landscape never gets close to falling below freezing temperatures at any time of the year. The tropical location is perfect for growing coffee, and grow it does! There are about 600,000 coffee growers in Colombia, and most of them pick the beans by hand.
Of course, a lot can go wrong after the beans have been grown: they still need to be roasted and brewed properly, and an error in these processes can seriously change the taste of a Colombian cup. Nevertheless, when you buy Colombian coffee, you’re always off to a good start.
Is Colombian Coffee a Dark Roast?
Not always! Colombian coffee also has a dark roast used to make rich espresso blends. Remember that the roast of the coffee isn’t actually related to the growth of the coffee. Colombia is famous for its coffee beans, which can be used to make both light roasts and dark roasts. Now, the richer and flowery flavor of Colombian coffee beans does make them especially suited for a dark roast, but light roasts made from Colombian beans are also amazing.
Is Colombian Coffee Arabica?
Colombia tends to produce mostly arabica beans. Arabica and Robusta are the two main types of coffee beans that are grown in the world. The Arabica is lighter and sweeter, while Robusta is bolder and denser. Colombia grows mostly Arabica beans, giving its beans the light and flowery taste that many coffee lovers crave. Arabica beans make a delightful light roast, as the beans are already extremely flavorful and don’t need a heavy roasting process to bring out the taste.
Colombian coffee is a luxury item, and makes a great gift for the coffee lover.
What is the Difference Between Colombian Coffee and Other Beans?
What is Colombian coffee, when compared with regular coffee? There really isn’t such a thing as “regular coffee.” All coffee types are made from specific coffee beans grown in a different region. Colombian beans are on the higher end of coffee luxury, and are almost always an Arabica bean. Buying Colombian coffee is a commitment to higher-end coffee and more-refined taste.
Does Colombian Coffee Have More Caffeine?
Colombian coffee has a caffeine content that is similar to beans grown elsewhere. There are a lot of myths and countless articles flying around the internet claiming that caffeine content in coffee depends on the roast. The truth is, both the lightest of the light roasts and the darkest of the dark roasts have very similar caffeine contents. Caffeine doesn’t need roasting to develop within the beans, and it also doesn’t break down when you begin to roast the beans.
If you must know, a dark roast tends to have a bit more caffeine than a light roast. However, the difference is negligible, and likely won’t be felt.
Is Colombian Coffee Stronger Than Regular Coffee?
Although a common myth, this is not true. Colombian coffee is generally a bit weaker than other coffees. Colombian coffee uses Arabica, generally accepted as the higher-quality coffee bean. The Arabica bean is a bit lighter than the Robusta, so your cup of Colombian coffee will typically be a bit weaker than a cup made from Robusta.
Of course, coffee strength depends far more on roasting and brewing than it does on the beans themselves. A dark roast will leverage a bolder and more bitter flavor, and more grounds obviously creates a stronger cup than one with fewer. That being said, Colombia’s gentle coffee flavor is superior to some of the stronger, more bitter varieties of coffee grown around the world.
Making Colombian Coffee
There isn’t really a traditional style of Colombian coffee, but Colombian beans are the best choice for crafting certain brews. The lighter, brighter flavors make the beans ideal for both a cup of light roast and for a rich cappuccino. Arabica beans are ideal for sweeter, lighter types of coffee and mixed coffee drinks. If you’re trying to maximize the health benefits of your coffee, try buying a smooth Colombian coffee and drinking it black. Cutting down on cream, milk, and sugar will make your coffee routine healthier.
Looking for some summer coffee treats to try? Making iced coffee with a rich Colombian dark roast can give you a clean texture and rich flavor without the metallic bitterness that can easily creep into iced coffee.
Where Can I Buy Colombian Coffee?
Colombian coffee is available from select retailers. Look for a quality Popayan Supremo to experience the full flavor of Colombian coffee. Make sure to try different types of Colombian coffee to find the kind that you like. You may appreciate the lighter or medium roast, which brings out the natural flavor of the beans more with the sweeter Arabica texture. Or, you might prefer the dark roast, which will have a boldness that approaches bitterness without ever really giving into the bitterness.
Is Colombian Coffee Stronger Than Regular Coffee?
Colombian coffee can be made to be stronger than regular, non-Colombian coffee, but in general it is typically weaker. Once you find a coffee maker to fit your lifestyle, experiment with lighter and darker roasts of Colombian beans to find a strength that suits you. The high quality of Colombian beans make stronger coffee that doesn’t fall apart. Lower quality beans tend to turn into a bitter brew at higher concentrations, but Colombian coffee maintains its integrity of flavor, even when pushed through more rigorous and intense brewing methods.
Brewing a stronger cup of coffee at home will generally require more grounds and less water, but also more sophisticated brewing methods. Loading up your “electric pour over” (or standard coffee maker) with a heaping pile of grounds will give you a different cup of coffee, but may not be the stronger treat you want. Try a french press or slow pour over for a more complex and stronger flavor. You’ll be thankful you learned all about what is Colombian coffee!
Final Thoughts
Colombian coffee has a reputation and it definitely lives up to the hype. Regardless of your current coffee-consuming habits, it is more likely than not that you’d enjoy a cup made from the unique beans grown in the country.
Know that Colombian blends aren’t your thing? Check out our other coffee options! At Eldorado, we are committed to providing the best blends from a variety of regions to fill all your coffee needs.