For millions of people all over the world, the day doesn’t start until the first cup of coffee has been served. Whether it’s brewed at home or served in a paper cup from your favorite coffee shop, a cup of Joe truly sets the tone of the day. Coffee drinkers should be aware that the beverage they are drinking may likely come from the second highest producer and exporter of coffee in the world, Colombia.
Colombia is quite synonymous with rich, full-bodied coffee. Brazil may be the world’s leading exporter of coffee beans worldwide, but Colombia can claim to be the leading producer of the highest quality coffee bean, Arabica coffee beans.
The republic of Colombia is located in South America and is rich in culture, history and excitement. It has access to two oceans of the world, both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and the varied typography has placed Colombia as one of the top 17 most diverse countries in the world. It is in this ideal climate and unique typography that some of the best coffee beans in the world are grown.
Have a taste of Colombia every morning
In the United States alone, a hundred million people start every day with a cup of coffee. That’s more that half the country’s population. For those who prefer their cup of Joe to be made of Arabica roast, their coffee is likely from Colombia, the world’s leading producer of what is considered as the highest quality coffee.
Colombia accounts for as much as 12 percent of coffee produced and consumed in the world. The United States is a leading importer of coffee from Colombia, as well as France, Italy, Germany and Japan. In 2010, the country produced some nine million bags of coffee, each weighing 132 pounds.
What makes it great?
It is the location of Colombia that has made it a viable location to produce coffee. The country is located on the Andes Mountains and the rich fertile soil makes it conducive to growing coffee. Colombia enjoys year round sunshine since it only has one season since it is geographically located along the equator. The Arabica beans grown in Colombia also come from plants that are resistant to a variety of crop pests.
It’s a thriving industry
Jesuit priests were also the ones who first saw and developed the coffee producing potential of the country back in the 18th century. However, it was not until the mid 19th century that the coffee of Colombia evolved into a profitable commercial enterprise.
Today, there are over half a million coffee producers in the country and coffee has become a top export product in the country. The coffee industry generates millions of jobs for the Colombian economy and the 570,000 coffee producers are organized by the Colombia Coffee Federation or FNC.