It’s hardly a secret that Colombia’s identity is tightly interwoven with coffee. Juan Valdez may be the country’s most positive, identifiable image. And, if you travel to Colombia it won’t be long before you have your first cup. One of the joys of traveling through Colombia is visiting the coffee region, known as the eje cafetero in Spanish. There are a few things I’ve learned about coffee in Colombia that you should know. First, to order a cup of coffee, you can ask for café, but tinto is far more common. Second, many parts of the country (including the coffee region) serve coffee pre-sweetened with panela, a type of brown sugar that locals swear is different than refined brown sugar. If you don’t want your coffee sweetened, be sure to ask for it sin azucar. Generally, coffee is served weak. You can certainly find stronger brews, but don’t be surprised if what you receive is merely flavored water. Finally, if you’re going to go to a chain coffee shop, I prefer Oma or Diletto. The Juan Valdez cafes typically have the best real estate for their shops. But, I find the coffee at other shops better and their selection of sweet snacks to be of higher quality. So there you have a few coffee tips for Colombia and some coffee beans for today’s Suh-Weet Shot.
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Tags: Colombia travel, travel photos
Until you went to Columbia, Senor Valdez was all I knew of the country. Thanks for teaching me something new with each post… even in a photo. Had no idea that’s what a coffee bean looks like. Won’t take my daily fix so casually anymore. *grin, lifts mug to toast*
I so badly wanted to visit Colombia when we were in South America… but it just didn’t work out. I have a friend who actually has a ton of family who still lives in one of the bigger regions and offered to put us up… would have been amazing!
Next time!
Not so long ago, I visited the coffee region of Columbia and it was a great experience! Definitely the world´s best coffee!