The Best Coffee Tours in Medellin You Should Try Out
Colombia has many gems in store for locals and foreigners alike. Its world-famous coffee is among them. Don’t leave without sipping at least one cup of the local joe!
Do you have a Colombian trip on your schedule? If so, add coffee tours to your itinerary! Aside from the extra knowledge, it’s a nice twist to your Colombian bucket list. One city that offers such a tour is Medellin.
The City of Eternal Spring has a strong coffee culture. Its specialty coffee scene has been brewing (no pun intended) over the years, with shops gaining significant followings. Do you want to catch a great coffee tour? Medellin fits that bill with various options. Explore and taste the city’s best beans!
Colombian Coffee: Going Beyond the Bean
Before we get to the tours, let’s take a closer look at the coffee itself. What is it about the country’s local joe that captures the world’s attention?
An Overview of a Coffee Powerhouse
It’s safe to say that the Gateway to South America is a coffee powerhouse. Just look at its coffee region! Colombia has a Coffee Triangle (Triángulo del Café) producing most of the country’s beans.
The triangle is home to the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia (CCLC) — a large area at the foothills of the Andes. This zone is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, with its inclusion occurring in 2011. The CCLC spans six farming landscapes, integrating 18 urban settlements.
The Flavor
Many people around the globe enjoy Colombian coffee because of its smooth and well-balanced nature. Most taste buds find its moderate acidity and tanginess pleasing, leaving a slightly sweet taste. If you prefer an easy-drinking and approachable cup, this one is right up your alley!
Colombian coffee’s flavor varies because of different factors, such as altitude, soil type, and processing method. The region where it’s grown is also a relevant contributor, as each has its own unique profile.
Factors aside, these are a few general flavor notes present among most Colombian coffees:
Chocolate
Most cups of Colombian coffee have a smooth chocolaty hint that doesn’t overpower the beverage. This note is especially common in medium-roast beans.
Caramel
Another note that sticks out in Colombian coffees is caramel. It makes most cups sweet and rich. Caramel notes are more prominent in dark roasts due to their longer roasting process.
Nuts
Many Colombian coffee varieties have subtle nutty hints. Tastes range from pecans to almonds.
Citrus
Does this flavor note surprise you? Citrus and coffee seem like opposites, but they do make sense! Since most Colombian coffee beans are of the Arabica kind, the latter’s bright, floral, and fruity flavors carry over to the former.
Coffee Tours to Join in Medellin (and Beyond)
Great Colombian coffee isn’t hard to find in the country. After all, it is a coffee titan! But if you don’t want to leave the City of Eternal Spring, don’t fret! We’ve included some of the best coffee tours in Medellin for your pleasure and convenience. We’ll also throw in some stops in the Coffee Triangle if you want to venture out of the city.
Without further ado, here are some tours you may want to sign up for:
Barrio La Sierra
What once was a violent neighborhood is now a coffee lover’s dream! Barrio La Sierra is a must-stop if you want to have an idea of how a local cup of joe is born.
Wander La Sierra’s streets and learn its complex history. Hop on a cable car and walk 577 steps while enjoying incredible views. After much walking, you’ll finally reach the coffee farm. A welcoming guide will show you the ropes of artisanal coffee production, from growth to grinding.
The tour begins at the Tranvia main entrance. Since there’s a ton of walking, wear comfortable clothes! Locals recommend watching this 2004 documentary on the neighborhood in advance for necessary context.
Don Leandro Coffee Farm
Are you in a time crunch and unable to travel out of the city? This next tour is your best bet.
The Don Leandro Coffee Farm tour begins at the Arvi Park metro station. You’ll ride a cable car en route to the plantation, located in the lush Santa Elena hills. Once you arrive, brace yourselves for an educational 3-hour experience. You’ll see the ins and outs of the property, from the fields to the processing plant.
Visitors will also sip samples of the farm’s coffee. Since you’ll know what goes behind your cup, your drink will become more enjoyable.
Finca Cafe San Alberto
This stop is one of the many gems in Colombia’s coffee region. Like most coffee farms in the Triangle, Finca Cafe San Alberto is a family affair. The estate hasn’t wavered from its commitment to producing high-quality coffee through sustainable methods for over 30 years.
Visitors can explore the farm’s fields, covered in beautiful green shades. The hilly landscape contributes to the place’s pleasing aesthetic. Do you want the best view of the property? Head to the cafe’s terrace.
You’ll also see the farm’s laboratory, equipped with modern technology for analysis and experimentation purposes. The lab is also where the owners will hold a technical tasting session.
Hacienda Venecia
This coffee farm is a family business that has been up and running for over 100 years. Although they’ve been around for over a century, it was only in 2009 that Hacienda Venecia opened its doors to foreign tourists.
First, visitors will assemble at the coffee lab for a lengthy discussion on coffee. While at the lab, they’ll see the machines behind the coffee production process. After learning and appreciating its ins and outs, they’ll get a lesson and several sips from the farm’s experts. Then, they’ll proceed to the property’s fields to see how coffee evolves from seeds to drinks. By the end of the tour, visitors will realize the importance of getting coffee roasts right.
Why Go on a Coffee Tour?
Since you’re already in a country with good coffee, allow these reasons to sway you:
Learn the process
There’s a lot that goes into a cup of coffee before it reaches your lips. Coffee tours give a preview of the meticulous production process, helping you gain a deeper appreciation for the local brew.
Expand your coffee palette
More often than not, coffee tours hold tasting sessions, introducing you to various flavor profiles. Tours will help develop your palette as you note the differences between each cup.
Get a taste of the culture
On a local coffee tour, Colombia and its culture get the spotlight. By watching farming methods, you’ll learn about coffee’s role in shaping the country’s culture and society.
Support the local industry
Most Colombian coffee farms employ and promote sustainable farming practices. Going on a coffee tour is a show of support for such tactics, ensuring it maintains its environment-friendly nature.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or simply an enjoyer, you won’t regret hopping on a coffee tour. Medellin has some of the best Colombian coffee the country has to offer, so take the chance to appreciate the work that goes into a cup.
