What You Should Know About Colombian Coffee Beans

what you should know about colombian coffee beans

Coffee from Colombia has earned a reputation for its smooth and well-balanced flavors, often being a favorite for coffee lovers worldwide. But what makes Colombian coffee so special? From the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains to the wide variety of regions, Colombian coffee beans possess unique characteristics that set them apart from other coffee origins.

The following sections dive into the key aspects of Colombian coffee beans, how they are grown, and why they consistently rank among the world’s finest.

The Origins of Colombian Coffee Beans

Colombian coffee beans are grown primarily in the high-altitude regions of the country, which provides the perfect environment for cultivating Arabica beans. Colombia’s location in the Coffee Belt gives it a unique edge, thanks to its ideal climate, rainfall, and rich volcanic soil. The combination of these factors results in a coffee bean that is both flavorful and aromatic.

With a range of growing regions, including Antioquia, Huila, Nariño, and Caldas, each area produces beans with distinct flavor profiles. Coffee from the central regions, such as Medellín and Armenia, is known for its balanced acidity, bright citrus flavors, and smooth body.

Meanwhile, coffee grown in the southern regions, such as Nariño, offers a richer, fuller body with earthy undertones and a subtle sweetness.

Growing and Harvesting Colombian Coffee

Colombian coffee beans thrive in altitudes between 1,200 to 2,000 meters above sea level, where the cool temperatures slow down the maturation process, allowing the beans to develop a deeper and more complex flavor. Coffee in Colombia is typically handpicked, which ensures only the ripest cherries are selected. This labor-intensive process results in higher-quality beans that are rich in flavor and texture.

The country’s diverse climate across regions allows for multiple harvests throughout the year. In most areas, the main harvest season is between September and December, although in certain regions, such as Nariño, coffee is harvested year-round. This consistent harvest period ensures a steady supply of Colombian coffee beans, making them readily available throughout the year.

The Taste Profile of Colombian Coffee Beans

Colombian coffee is renowned for its smooth, well-rounded flavor with a balanced acidity. It is often described as medium-bodied, with fruity, nutty, and caramel-like sweetness. The high-growing altitudes contribute to a complex flavor profile, where hints of chocolate, citrus, and red fruits, such as berries, often emerge.

For those who enjoy a cup with vibrant acidity, Colombian coffee beans are perfect. The bright, citric notes are characteristic of beans grown at higher altitudes, where the cooler temperatures allow for slower ripening and more refined flavors. Additionally, many Colombian coffees exhibit a subtle nuttiness, which makes them a perfect balance between fruity and savory.

The Different Varieties of Colombian Coffee Beans

Colombia is home to many different coffee varietals, each contributing unique characteristics to the coffee. The most common varietals grown in Colombia are Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, and Castillo. These varieties each offer different flavor notes depending on the region and growing conditions.

  • Bourbon: Known for its rounded flavor with a smooth body, Bourbon varietals often carry sweet, chocolatey notes.
  • Typica: Often used as a baseline for coffee characteristics, Typica offers balanced acidity and mild sweetness.
  • Caturra: A mutation of Bourbon, Caturra offers a brighter acidity and more vibrant fruit notes.
  • Castillo: Developed for disease resistance, Castillo beans are typically sweeter, with a lighter body and bright, citrusy notes.

The Milling and Processing of Colombian Coffee Beans

After harvesting, Colombian coffee beans are processed using a washed or wet method. This process involves removing the outer skin of the coffee cherry before the beans are sun-dried, which helps to preserve the delicate flavors and bright acidity. The washed process also reduces the bitterness that can sometimes be found in coffees that are processed by other methods, such as natural or dry processing.

After drying, the beans go through a hulling process that strips away the final parchment layers, revealing the green coffee beans prepared for roasting. The washed process is one of the key factors contributing to the bright, clean taste that Colombian coffee is known for.

Roasting Colombian Coffee Beans

The roasting process plays an important role in unlocking the flavors of Colombian coffee. Colombian coffee beans are versatile and can be roasted to suit a variety of brewing methods, from light to dark roasts. Lighter roasts preserve the natural fruity and floral notes, while darker roasts bring out deeper, chocolatey flavors.

When roasting Colombian coffee beans, it is important to make sure that the beans are roasted to a level that enhances their inherent characteristics.

For example, light roasts bring out the bright citrus and floral notes, while dark roasts emphasize the nutty and chocolate undertones.

Colombian Coffee Beans in Espresso

Espresso lovers often seek Colombian coffee beans due to their smooth, medium-bodied profile and balanced acidity. These characteristics make Colombian roasted coffee an excellent choice for espresso, where a rich, creamy crema and bright, lively flavors are desired. The beans’ ability to provide a well-rounded shot with pleasant acidity makes Colombian coffee a staple in many espresso blends.

For the best espresso experience, it is recommended to use freshly roasted Colombian coffee beans. Freshly roasted beans retain more of their volatile oils, which help produce the signature crema that defines a high-quality espresso.

Why Colombian Coffee Beans Are a Coffee Lover’s Best Choice

Colombian coffee beans are a go-to for anyone who appreciates a smooth, flavorful cup of coffee. The consistent quality, versatility in brewing, and vibrant flavor profiles make Colombian coffee ideal for a wide variety of coffee drinkers. If you prefer a bright, fruity light roast or a rich, chocolatey dark roast, Colombian beans deliver on both taste and aroma.

Furthermore, the ethical farming practices and sustainable cultivation of Colombian coffee add to the appeal. Many Colombian coffee farms are certified Fair Trade or organic, ensuring that the beans are grown with care for both the environment and the farmers who produce them.

How High Noon Roasters Improves Your Colombian Coffee Experience

Here at High Noon Roasters, we understand that quality matters when it comes to your coffee. That is why we offer freshly roasted Colombian coffee beans, such as the Colombian Tolima Casa Verde Organic. We take pride in delivering Colombian roasted coffee that is hand-picked, ethically sourced, and roasted to bring out the best flavors.

Explore all our coffee products and try our freshly roasted Colombian coffee today to elevate your coffee experience to new heights.

06September
2025
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Category: Coffee

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    Medium Dark Roast

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    Rich, dark color, this roast has some oil on the surface and with a slight bittersweet aftertaste.

    Dark Roast

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    This roast produces shiny black beans with an oily surface and a pronounced bitterness. The darker the roast, the less acidity will be found in the coffee beverage. Dark roast coffees run from slightly dark to charred, and the names are often used interchangeably — be sure to check your beans before you buy them!

    Light Roast

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    - Light brown in color, this roast is generally preferred for milder coffee varieties. There will be no oil on the surface of these beans because they are not roasted long enough for the oils to break through to the surface.

    Medium Roast

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    - This roast is medium brown in color with a stronger flavor and a non-oily surface. It’s often referred to as the American roast because it is generally preferred in the United States.

    Extra Fine

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    Turkish coffee is essentially very strong coffee with fine grinds in it. Based on that description alone, it’s a no-brainer that this kind of coffee requires an extra fine grind. To give you an idea of size, the coffee grinds should resemble powdered sugar, making it even finer than what’s used espresso. The grinds need to be so fine that some grinders can’t even accommodate Turkish coffee. So, when you’re looking for a coffee grinder, make sure it has the proper settings should Turkish coffee be your coffee of choice.

    Fine Grind

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    For stovetop espresso makers, use a fine coffee grind. A fine grind will be similar in size and feel to that of sugar. It should also be slightly coarser than a grind used for a regular espresso maker. Fine grind is required because of the short time the coffee grind comes in contact with water. Pressure builds up in the espresso maker which forces the water through the fine grinds. If you were to use a coarse grind, the water would not be able to extract the flavor from the beans. Due to this, espresso is the most sensitive of coffee types when it comes to the size of the grind of coffee beans and brewing good coffee. If the grind is just slightly finer or coarser, it can drastically affect the end taste of the espresso.

    Medium Coarse Grind

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    For pour over coffee, the best grind to use is a medium-coarse grind. A medium-coarse grind will be similar in size to a French press grind but less chunky and will feel slightly smoother. If you are using a cone-shaped pour over, then use a medium-fine coffee grind instead. Since there are many different pour over brewers, each one will need a slightly different grind. You may need to experiment a bit more with this method until you find what tastes best for you. Keep in mind: the less time the water is in contact with the coffee grind, the finer the grind should be.

    Coarse Grind

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    Brewing coffee with a French Press requires a coarse, even grind. A coarse ground will look somewhat chunky. Because the coffee is steeped in boiling water, the contact time between the water and coffee is much longer, which requires a coarser grind. Grinding the coffee too coarse will make the coffee weak. Grinding too fine will make the coffee murky and taste bitter.

    Medium Grind

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    Siphon coffee requires a medium grind size between filter and espresso but closer to the filter size. Siphon coffee makers typically use a cloth or metal filter, producing a full-bodied and clean cup. You don’t want the grinds to be too fine that they’ll clog the filter and you don’t want them to be too big. If the grinds are too big, flavor will be lacking as it is a quick brewing process. Learnhow to make siphon coffee.