Introduction to Colombia's Huila Region What are the Famous Coffee-Growing Regions in Colombia

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Colombian Coffee Export Structure

Colombian coffee farm owners can sell all their products to the Coffee Growers Federation at official low prices, or they can sell to exporters who might offer higher prices, or might not make any offers at all. In reality, the Coffee Growers Federation (FNC) controls exports to Europe, while coffee exported to the United States is mainly conducted through private exporters. However, all exports are subject to minimum export prices.

Geographic Advantages and Production Regions

Colombia is fortunate to have both Atlantic and Pacific ports, which helps reduce coffee transportation costs, making it the only country in South America with this advantage. Colombia's main production areas are located in the central and eastern mountain ranges. The most important plantations along the central mountain range are located in the Medellin, Armenia, and Manizales regions. Among these three regions, Medellin area coffee has the best quality and highest price, characterized by full-bodied beans, rich nutrition, intense aroma, and moderate acidity. These three regions are collectively known as MAM (abbreviated from the first letters of the three major cities). Among Colombian premium coffees available for export, most originate from the MAM region. Along the eastern mountain range, the two best areas are around Bogotá and further north around Bucaramanga. Bogotá coffee has lower acidity than Medellin coffee, but both are of comparable quality.

Quality Standards and Market Distribution

Germany accounts for 25% of Colombia's total exports, which also reflects the country's excellent quality from another perspective. Coffee grades are divided into three levels: Supremo (Supreme), Excelso (Excellent), and UGQ (Unusual Good Quality). The Klauss coffee from the Excelso grade is exported to Germany, while Europa coffee is exported to Nordic countries. In most coffee shops, you can buy both Excelso and Supremo grade coffees. The professional distinction between the two is that Supremo coffee uses larger coffee beans, sourced from freshly harvested coffee beans, making it easier to ensure product quality. Excelso grade coffee typically has a milder taste than Supremo coffee, with slightly higher acidity, but both belong to the aromatic coffee category, with medium-sized beans and excellent fruit. Colombian coffee is often described as having a silky smooth taste. Among all coffees, it has the best balance, with a soft, smooth texture that can be enjoyed anytime.

Challenges Facing Colombian Coffee Growers

A challenging issue facing Colombian coffee growers is whether to replace Bourbon coffee trees with fast-growing, high-yield Arabica coffee trees. Some say the quality won't be as good as before, while others argue that in the most suitable coffee-growing areas, the quality difference won't be significant.

The Vila Region

The Vila region is a famous production area in Colombia. Colombia is the world's largest producer of high-quality coffee and one of the few countries that exports original flavor coffee under its national name. It has always been most famous for washed beans, with coffee grades classified into three levels: Supremo (Supreme), Excelso (Excellent), and UGQ (Unusual Good Quality).

Flavor Diversity

Colombian coffee doesn't have just one flavor. Geographically, the Republic of Colombia is located in northwestern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The country contains the Andes Mountains, Amazon rainforest, and inland plains, with rich and diverse landscapes that produce coffee beans with various flavors.

Brewing Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee recommends brewing Colombian coffee with 90°C water to bring out the distinct tropical fruit flavors.

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee is a roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find various famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services: https://shop104210103.taobao.com

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