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How to Drink Colombian Nalinglong? What is the Taste of Colombian Nalinglong?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat public account cafe_style) Colombia is currently the third largest coffee-producing country in the world, second only to Brazil and Vietnam. It first began growing commercial beans in the 1830s. By the 20th century, coffee became the largest export agricultural product. Its mountainous terrain combined with diverse tropical microclimates provides ideal growing conditions

For professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information, please follow Cafe Style (WeChat official account: cafe_style).

Colombia: The World's Third-Largest Coffee Producer

Colombia is currently the world's third-largest coffee-producing country, surpassed only by Brazil and Vietnam. Commercial coffee cultivation began as early as the 1830s. By the 20th century, coffee had become the largest export agricultural commodity. The country's mountainous terrain combined with diverse tropical microclimates provides an ideal growing environment. A total of 75% of the production is sold abroad, making it the most important source of foreign exchange income.

Traditionally, mature coffee cherries were processed using the washed method. Over the past 15 years, Colombia's coffee research centers have developed an eco-friendly system that requires minimal water processing, reducing water resource pollution by 90% and water usage by 95%. This processing method not only effectively maintains the ecological balance but also results in better quality. Small farms spread their parchment coffee beans on the flat roofs of their homes for sun-drying.

Climate and Growing Regions

Colombia's favorable climate with significant temperature variations allows for year-round production depending on the region. The main harvest season runs from October to February of the following year, with November and December being the peak harvest period.

Major varieties include Caturra, Colombia, Tipica, Bourbon, Maragogype, and Tabi. More than 500,000 farmers operate farms and cooperatives of all scales across 590 municipalities and 14 main coffee-producing regions—including Nariño, Cauca, Meta, Huila, Tolima, Quindio, Caldas, Risaralda, Antioquia, Valle, Cundinamarca, Boyacá, Santander, and Norte de Santander.

A total of 2 million Colombians depend on coffee cultivation for their livelihood, contributing 12.5% to the local agricultural GDP.

Nariño: The Premium Growing Region

Nariño, located in the western corner of Colombia, is the country's highest-altitude region. Coffee grows on the high mountain slopes of the western coastal area. Premium Colombian coffee beans grow at high altitudes in the Andes Mountains, where banana and rubber trees are interplanted to provide shade for the coffee trees. This region is a major supplier for Starbucks, and only the highest-quality coffee beans from small farms have the opportunity to be exported, earning it the reputation as the "Pope's Holy Grail."

Trade and Export Structure

Colombian coffee farm owners can sell all their products to the Coffee Growers Federation at official low prices or to exporters who may offer higher prices. In practice, the Coffee Growers Federation controls overall exports to Europe, while coffee exported to the United States is mainly handled through private exporters. However, all exports are subject to minimum export price controls.

Micro-Regional Selections and Quality Focus

In recent years, with the international market's emphasis on coffee quality and demand for specialty coffee, there has been a shift toward micro-regional selections organized by coffee smallholders. Dozens of small farmers contribute their individual harvests, which are consolidated into micro-batches for sale, resulting in better quality control. This approach allows for cupping each batch individually, selecting many high-quality specific micro-region smallholder coffees.

These coffees feature more vibrant flavors, with aromas carrying fresh ripe fruit notes and caramel sweetness. The combination of acidity and sweetness is more harmonious and balanced.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee suggests brewing recommendations for Colombia Nariño:

V60/1:15/90°C/Time: 2 minutes

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse coffee bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans. Online shop services are also available at https://shop104210103.taobao.com