Regions and Coffees of Note for Single Origin Coffees in South America: Colombia
Colombia is a name that is synonymous with coffee – at least in the United States, where marketing campaigns for “Columbian” coffee tend to dominate the supermarket industry. Much of Colombia is indeed a rich haven for coffee growing, but if you want to experience the richest Colombian coffee experience, you’ll have to know where to look.
Medellin: Like the other of the “MAM” coffees that make Colombia famous, this is both a region and a coffee – certainly something you’ll want to look out for in your search for premium single origin coffee. However, many companies simply ship the coffees out together, which explains the MAM acronym.
- Bean description: Large, high-quality beans mean a rich flavor and a great acidic balance. There is even a slight hint of sweetness like a ripe cherry or perhaps a chocolate.
Armenia: No, not that Armenia. Like Medellin, this coffee and member of the “Colombia Coffee Triangle” is both a region and a type of coffee. As part of the MAM trio, it would not be surprising if you have had some Armenia coffee already as part of a multi-blend.
- Bean description: Very similar though not as large consistently as the Medellin bean, this too has a rich flavor with a good acidic balance thanks to similar soil in eastern Colombia.
Manizales: The final portion of the Colombian coffee trio considers itself the world capital of coffee. It is not quite as far east as other regions of Colombia, but it produces a lot of coffee – so much, in fact, that it considers itself the engine of Colombian coffee production.
- Bean description: Called one of the great mild coffees there is, this offers a good balance for newcomers to coffee – especially newcomers who want to try out a Colombian coffee.
