From origin to cup: what characterizes Colombian coffee
Colombian Coffee: Origin, Climate, and Flavor
Colombian coffee is among the most recognizable coffees in the world, and that's no coincidence. The combination of altitude, climate, and careful processing creates a flavor profile that is mild, balanced, and full-bodied. At Bunafide, Colombia is also the sole origin behind our decaf coffee: both Still Kicking and Easy Does It are 100% Colombian single origin products.
What makes Colombian coffee's taste recognizable?
Colombian coffee is known for its balanced, mild acidity and a smooth, rounded finish. While coffee from some other regions can taste distinctly fruity or earthy, Colombian coffee often sits right in the middle: accessible, with subtle notes of caramel or red fruit, without any sharp edges. This makes it a coffee that is appreciated by a wide audience, including those who are not actively looking for a pronounced flavor profile.
This balance can be directly attributed to the conditions in which the coffee grows, and that's where origin begins to matter.
Why is Colombia so suitable for coffee cultivation?
Colombia is almost entirely located in the coffee belt, the zone around the equator where temperature, rainfall, and altitude ideally converge for coffee plants. The country also has a unique advantage: multiple mountain ranges of the Andes run through it, meaning that very different altitudes and microclimates exist within relatively short distances of each other.
The most famous coffee regions, such as Huila, Nariño, and the Coffee Axis around Antioquia and Caldas, are typically located between 1200 and 2000 meters above sea level. The higher the plant grows, the slower the coffee cherries ripen. This slow ripening process gives the bean more time to develop sugars and flavors, resulting in a richer and more complex flavor profile than coffee that grows faster at lower altitudes.
What coffee varieties grow in Colombia?
In Colombia, mainly Arabica varieties such as Caturra, Typica, and Castillo are grown. Castillo is a variety developed in Colombia itself by the national coffee research institute, specifically to be more resistant to coffee leaf rust, a fungal disease that has caused significant crop damage in other countries. Because Castillo achieved this without loss of taste quality, it has now become one of the most common varieties in the country.
You can read more about the development of the Castillo variety at Perfect Daily Grind.
When is harvest season in Colombia?
Colombia has a distinct advantage over many other coffee-producing countries: thanks to its climate with two rainy seasons, there are typically two harvests per year. In addition to the main harvest, there is a smaller intermediate harvest, known in Colombia as the mitaca. This means that, depending on the region, freshly harvested coffee is available for most of the year, instead of one short peak period as in many other producing countries.
You can read more about this double harvest cycle at Sucafina.
Trivia!
Did you know that Colombia is one of the few major coffee-producing countries that grows almost exclusively Arabica?
While countries like Vietnam and Brazil also cultivate the cheaper, stronger robusta variety on a large scale, Colombia deliberately chose 100% Arabica to protect its premium reputation.
How is Colombian coffee processed?
In addition to climate and altitude, the processing method plays a major role in the final flavor profile. In Colombia, coffee is traditionally wet-processed: after harvesting, the pulp is removed from the coffee cherry before the bean is laid out to dry. This washing method results in a cleaner, brighter taste compared to, for example, naturally dried coffee, where the bean dries with the pulp still around it.
This combination, wet processing at high altitudes, is precisely what gives Colombian coffee its characteristic balance between mildness and depth.
Which brewing method is best suited for Colombian coffee?
Due to the mild, balanced taste of Colombian coffee, it is best suited for brewing methods that do not overpower the subtlety of the bean, such as filter coffee or a super-automatic machine. For a more intense espresso, Colombian coffee is more often used as part of a blend with a stronger bean, rather than as a single-origin espresso. You can read more about choosing the right brewing method on our page about brewing methods.
Colombian Coffee at Bunafide
At Bunafide, Colombia is the exclusive origin of our decaf coffee. Both Still Kicking (coffee beans) and Easy Does It (ground coffee) are 100% Colombian single origin products, with a sweet and fruity flavor profile and a coffee intensity of 3 out of 5. Also available as Still Kicking Woodcups, for those with a Nespresso or Nespresso compatible machine.
View the full range in the decaf collection.
Colombian coffee with caffeine or decaf: what's the difference?
At Bunafide, the answer is simple: there's no difference in taste. Still Kicking and Easy Does It undergo the same decaffeination process as other decaf coffees, but their origin, processing, and flavor profile remain unchanged Colombian: sweet, fruity, and mild. So, if you love the character of Colombian coffee, you don't have to choose between flavor and decaf.
Is your question not listed? Please feel free to contact us, we are happy to help you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Colombian Coffee
Is all Bunafide coffee Colombian?
No. At Bunafide, Colombia is specifically the origin of our decaf coffee (Still Kicking and Easy Does It). Other products are blends with beans from multiple countries, such as Brazil, Guatemala, and Indonesia.
Is Colombian coffee always single origin?
Not necessarily. Colombian beans are often used in blends with beans from other countries. At Bunafide, Still Kicking and Easy Does It are the only products that are 100% single origin from Colombia.
What is the difference between Colombian and Ethiopian coffee?
Colombian coffee is generally more balanced and milder, with a soft acidity. Ethiopian coffee, often considered the origin of coffee, on the other hand, has a more pronounced, fruitier, and sometimes floral profile. You can read more about this on our page about Ethiopian coffee.
Why did Bunafide choose Colombia for its decaf coffee?
Colombian coffee is well suited for decaf, as the decaffeination process leaves the bean's soft, balanced flavor profile largely intact. This way, you retain the recognizable taste, even without caffeine.
What does the coffee intensity of our Colombian coffee mean?
Still Kicking and Easy Does It score a coffee intensity of 3 out of 5, which represents a balanced, not-too-overpowering flavour, fitting the mild character of Colombian coffee in general.
Which coffee variety is used in Colombian coffee?
Colombia mainly grows Arabica varieties such as Caturra, Typica, and the locally developed Castillo variety, which is more resistant to coffee leaf rust without compromising on flavour.
Does Colombia have a fixed harvest season?
No, thanks in part to the climate with two rainy seasons, Colombia typically has two harvests per year: a main harvest and a smaller inter-harvest (the mitaca). As a result, depending on the region, freshly harvested coffee is available almost all year round.
