Colombian Coffee's Guerrilla Farmers: Is Coffee from Nariño's Southern Growing Region the Best?

At FrontStreet Coffee, we frequently cup test a variety of new coffee bean varieties. The coffees from Colombia consistently present prominent sweetness and chocolate flavors, often accompanied by fruit notes such as caramel, apple, and berry-like red fruit tones. The aroma sometimes carries hints of citrus and fruit with subtle spice notes.

For Colombian coffee, reviews often highlight its medium body with rich flavors and citrus acidity. The finest high-yield Colombian coffees represent the classic Latin American profile with mild fruitiness, though not the almost fermented fruit character found in some other origins.

The significant volume cultivated in this country (Colombia produced nearly 10% of the world's coffee in 2015) means these quality Arabica beans are also among the most aggressively priced in the market and serve as the base for many coffee brand blends. A common drawback with these beans is that many find them rather "mild" as they've become accustomed to this flavor profile.

Growing Altitude: 1,200 - 2,000 meters

Arabica Varieties: Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, Tabi, Colombia, Maragogipe, Castillo

Harvest Period: September to December

Processing Methods: Washed, Sun-dried

Aroma: Sweet (caramel), cocoa

Flavor: Sweet (fruity), citrus, nutty (slight)

Acidity: Bright, citric

Agricultural and Organic Coffee

Most standard Colombian coffees are grown by relatively small farms, then collected, wet-processed (washed), milled, and exported by the Colombian Coffee Federation.

Colombia's altitude ranges from 1,200 to 1,800 meters, providing ample opportunities to discover highly regarded Strictly High Grown (SHG) Colombian coffees. Colombian coffees are typically washed and sun-dried on patios.

Due to Colombia's vast size, the harvest season varies across different regions of the country, with most crops harvested between September and January, though some regions harvest between April and August. This consistent production leads to more stable prices and provides a steady supply of Colombian green coffee to the North American market.

Colombian organic coffee is not uncommon, and there are also Fair Trade and Rainforest Alliance certified Colombian coffees available in the market.

Guerrilla Coffee Farmers

Following the 2016 peace treaty, members of the FARC guerrillas (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) began receiving training as coffee farmers and baristas at Tecnicafe's coffee technology park. The organization had occupied Cauca, a region with altitudes up to 2,100 meters and rich volcanic soil—perfect conditions for coffee cultivation. It will be interesting to see how these trained former soldiers cultivate and produce coffee.

Growing Regions

Colombia's three most distinguished coffees—Medellin, Armenia, and Manizales—are all named after their growing regions and are often sold together to simplify large coffee contract transfers. These coffees are collectively known by the acronym MAM.

Cauca currently spans approximately 95,000 hectares and is cultivated by 93,000 families.

One of Colombia's finest coffees is Medellin Supremo, which, despite having higher acidity, is comparable to Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Other coffees from Colombia include the Cucuta coffee from Venezuela (often shipped through Maracaibo), and the Bucaramanga coffee variety known for its low acidity. Some of Colombia's best coffees come from the Nariño coffee growing region in southern Colombia.

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