Introduction to the Flavor Characteristics of Bolivian Coffee from the Lake Titicaca Region, South America's Highest Altitude Coffee Growing Area

FrontStreet Coffee has explained before that most countries lying in the equatorial zones grow coffee, a unique advantage of the "Coffee Belt." Here you will find the world's three major producing regions — Asia, the Americas and Africa — with more than 50 countries growing coffee and a rich range of beans with distinct flavours. Among them is Bolivia, a small producing country with considerable recognition.

Bolivian Coffee Characteristics

South America is generous with coffee, and Bolivia is no exception. The tropical rainforest environment in parts of the country gives organic coffee excellent natural conditions. Bolivian coffee has rich, distinctive aromas: whether you smell the grounds after grinding or the brewed cup, both are notably intense, like a blend of floral and fruit scents that leaves a lasting impression.

Bolivia's advantage lies in its high altitude and excellent varieties. Traditional Typica and small amounts of Caturra grown here win high acclaim on the world market. In the past, Bolivian coffee trees were often planted around gardens as hedges, purely decorative; true commercial production only began in the early 1950s. The severe frost of 1957 badly damaged Brazil's coffee industry, and Bolivia benefited, developing rapidly. Bolivian coffee is grown at altitudes between 1,800 and 2,670 metres, and its washed Arabica beans are exported to Germany and Sweden. The flavour is not among the very best today, carrying a slightly bitter taste.

Lake Titicaca Region

Lake Titicaca lies on the Altiplano plateau on the border of Bolivia and Peru. It is the highest and largest freshwater lake in South America, one of the world's highest large freshwater lakes, and the highest-altitude lake navigable by large vessels. It is also the third largest lake in South America (after Lake Maracaibo and Patos Lagoon).

Lake Titicaca Copacabana

Bolivia's premium estates all sit at very high altitudes. The year-round low temperatures let coffee cherries grow slowly, resulting in high density and charming aromas. The floral notes are distinct, and when cherries of consistent ripeness are harvested and carefully processed, the result is often a clean, delicate, premium profile. That elegant vanilla and peach aroma is quite appealing, and this award-winning bean's florals are diverse, with vanilla and honey sweetness that lingers remarkably.

Pour-over Brewing Guide

For a pour-over of washed Bolivian coffee, we recommend 15 grams of coffee with water at 89°C, a water-to-coffee ratio of 1:15, a medium grind (BG-6L) and a V60 dripper. First pour 30g of water for a 25-second bloom, then continue pouring to 110g before pausing. Wait until the water level drops to half in the coffee bed before resuming. Slowly pour to 220g, discarding the tail end. Total extraction time should be 2:00 minutes.

Flavor profile: dry aroma of roasted nuts and almonds, with a smooth fruit acidity of sweet orange and pomelo on entry. Overall it presents sweet caramel and a smooth, nutty, milky texture, with remarkable cleanliness and balance. The herbal notes in the aftertaste are quite charming as well.

Bolivia Washed Typica

Altitude: 3812m (Lake Titicaca plateau)

Region: Lake Titicaca

Roast Level: Medium roast

Processing Method: Washed

Variety: Typica

Producer: Copacabana small farmers

Flavor: Dry aroma of roasted nuts and almonds, sweet orange.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Bolivia's clean, sweet, softly acidic profile has a close cousin in Brazil. FrontStreet Coffee's Brazil Cerrado Red Bourbon is a classic single-origin lot, processed semi-naturally and medium roasted: cream peanut, toasted bread, caramel and hazelnut, round in the mouth, low in acidity with a light bittersweet edge. It works as pour-over, moka pot, espresso SOE, siphon or French press. For a fruitier, sweeter cup, FrontStreet Coffee's Brazil Queen Estate Yellow Bourbon brings a rare sugarcane sweetness alongside fruit and chocolate, and pours beautifully as a filter coffee.