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Colombian coffee is a household staple throughout the world. The year 2020 alone saw over twelve million bags of coffee exported, which is nothing to say of the country’s prestige in the specialty coffee space.
Sitting at a solid third of today’s top coffee exporting companies, Colombia remains a go-to choice for coffee drinkers. Single-origin Colombian coffee is known for being highly complex, full-bodied, and subtle.
Some of the most famed regions include Caldas, Quindío, Cauca, Nariño, and Huila. If you’re thinking of brushing up on your Colombian coffee knowledge, you’re in the right place.
We have a list of today’s best Colombian coffee brands for you to choose from, separated by features such as variety, roast level, and business values.
Top Colombian Coffee Brands
- Juan Valdez
- Don Pablo
- Colombia Coffee Roasters
- Volcanica Coffee
- Cubico Coffee
- Counter Culture Coffee
- Devoción Coffee
Juan Valdez
It’s impossible to talk about Colombian coffee without mentioning the iconic Juan Valdez. This Colombian coffee brand is famous for its commitment to varied single-origin coffee offerings.
No matter your preferred roast level or flavor profile, Juan Valdez has enough variety to keep you happily occupied. This roaster’s portfolio stretches across regions from Cumbre to Huila, putting a strong emphasis on why each location is prime for creating memorable coffee.
Ever competitive, this brand also provides single serve and freeze-dried options.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Huila Medium Roast Coffee
This bag is the very definition of a balancing act, straddling a fine line in its roast level and flavor notes to provide an all-around winner.
Expect to enjoy medium acidity and a pop of sweetness in an otherwise classic coffee flavor. Acidic coffee tends to taste strange with milk, so consider drinking this black or in espresso shots.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want a committed Colombian roaster with an incredible variety
- Like to try different roast profiles and flavor notes
- Want convenient coffee options
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want to try other Latin American origins
Don Pablo
Another name you’ve likely seen around is Don Pablo. This family-owned company has been going strong since 2004 with a hefty portfolio that includes a slew of Colombian entries.
This roaster boasts the distinction of importing the top 1% of Arabica beans throughout Latin America, which is no small feat considering their large output.
Not to be outdone on the convenience front, Don Pablo offers several decaf options, single-serve options, and coffee-adjacent products like hot cocoa.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Don Pablo Gustavo’s Reserve Colombian Estate
You know a bag of coffee’s going to be delectable when it’s crafted by a multigenerational coffee-growing family. Gustavo’s Reserve Colombian Estate is a celebration of hard work and brilliant flavor.
Expect a sumptuous blend of cocoa, banana, and citrus notes in this medium-dark roasted bag. Chocolate-forward coffee pairs wonderfully with milk of all types, from dairy to oat.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want several Colombian coffee options to choose from
- Are seeking decaf bags as well as caffeinated bags
- Want a variety of coffee that’s low acid, organic, and/or convenient
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want more Kosher Certified coffee
Colombia Coffee Roasters
With a name like that, how can you go wrong? Colombia Coffee Roasters makes it clear up front what their specialty is, committing the majority of their portfolio to Colombian origin.
This roaster’s coffee is made with 100% Arabica, a bean that leans toward more delicate flavors and lowers caffeine content. Not content to just offer you high-quality coffee, Colombia Coffee Roasters also sell artisan chocolates, brewing equipment, and merchandise.
If you’re enjoying the products on offer, consider signing up with their subscription model to save money on your next order.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Colombia – Finca El Porvenir – (Red Honey)
The honey process of coffee involves leaving some of the mucilage from the cherry fruit on the coffee seed. Depending on how much is left over, this process can be considered black, red, or yellow.
This stunning bag has a bold, fruity flavor and creamy body, ideal for espresso or black cups.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want a roaster that specializes in Colombian coffee
- Are curious about different coffee processes, such as honey and washed
- Want to try similar products such as chocolate
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want to try other origins outside of Colombia
Volcanica Coffee
We’ve explored this brand in past pieces and we’re happy to revisit them again. Volcanica Coffee is a powerhouse of coffee production spanning multiple origins, with a particularly large Colombian portfolio.
First getting its start in Costa Rica, Volcanica Coffee expanded to include origins throughout the Americas, Africa, and the Caribbean.
The roaster’s name stems from its commitment to sourcing coffee from volcanic regions, thanks to the soil being prime for encouraging delicious coffee yields.
Volcanica Coffee also makes sure to provide Kosher Certified coffee.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Colombian Geisha
This coffee bag comes with a steeper price point than average and for good reason. Geisha coffee consistently ranks high in specialty coffee grading for its unparalleled subtlety and unique flavors.
This specialty coffee is roasted light to protect its delicate floral and tropical fruit notes.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want to push the limits of their specialty coffee knowledge
- Want several Colombian coffee options to choose from
- Need Kosher Certified coffee options
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Need a lower price point
Cubico Coffee
While seeking out single-origin Colombian coffee should be a goal on anyone’s coffee journey, blends are just as important. Cubico Coffee embraces the creativity inherent in coffee blends with its dazzling portfolio.
Brazil, El Salvador, and Colombia are just a few of the origins this roaster taps into. Cubico Coffee has a particular fondness for blends, which tend to be balanced and unique in their flavor offerings.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Emerald Blue
This fascinating blend combines two coffee-producing heavyweights in one spot: Colombian and Jamaican. The result is a blend that’s simultaneously unique and traditional all at once.
The sweet citrus notes of this bag are contrasted by a smoky tobacco kick that will hit high notes with many drinkers.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want to try other Latin American and African origins
- Are extra curious about trying new coffee blends
- Want K-Cup options
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want more single-origin options than blend options
- Are seeking out several Colombian coffee bags
Counter Culture Coffee
Specialty coffee has to be tasted to be believed. Counter Culture Coffee sets the bar high with consistently delectable, aromatic, and complex whole bean coffee.
This North Carolina-based roaster boasts a stunning portfolio with several origins, though they regularly visit Colombia for their recurring coffee bags.
Not only can you expect to enjoy your favorite origins regularly, but you’ll also have access to limited-edition bags, steeped coffee, and subscription models.
Visit this roaster periodically, as they tend to cycle in new coffee offerings every few months.
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: Decaf Urcunina
Straight from the famed Nariño region, Counter Culture Coffee’s Decaf Urcunina is a bold statement right off the bat. This coffee is syrupy sweet with subtle notes of grape and citrus.
Try this coffee black or mix it with milk. We found the pour-over especially memorable, though any brewing method will do! If you’re too busy for traditional brewing, try their steeped coffee bags.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want several Colombian coffee options
- Need several decaf or half-caf options
- Seek out conveniences such as steeped coffee or subscription models
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want exclusive Colombian coffee origins
Devoción Coffee
The last option on our list is a roaster with a particularly keen eye for transparency. This business makes it clear up front the hard work they put in to deliver high-quality coffee to your doorstep.
A common selling point with coffee is how freshly it’s roasted. Devoción Coffee’s business model skips the exporter and boat transportation model in favor of direct purchases from Colombia.
Snipping out a few steps ensures you’ll be enjoying some of the freshest coffee in the market,
Our Top Coffee Recommendation: El Sol
This bag is labeled as an ‘Active Harvest’, purchased right in the middle of the harvest season. We weren’t kidding when we said this roaster is committed to freshness!
Expect to enjoy subtle stone fruit and cinnamon flavor notes in this bag.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want the freshest coffee possible
- Prefer roasters with subscription models
- Want to support more transparent coffee trading models
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who:
- Want more decaf or half caf options
Final Thoughts
Colombian coffee is an experience you have to try for yourself. The sheer variety on display and commitment to quality make this an easy origin to love.
Colombian coffee exports rank the third highest in the world after Brazil and Vietnam. While most Colombian coffee is Arabica, significant portions are Robusta or blends.
This origin is known for its fruity, complex flavors and thick mouthfeels. To get the most out of your coffee, we recommend purchasing fresh roasts and trying out different brewing methods.
Curious what other origins are out there? Check out our pieces on Vietnamese coffee and Mexican coffee!
