Coffee overview
Flavours
citrus, red berries, caramel, chocolate
Information
Country: Colombia
Region: Huila
Altitude: 1500 - 2000 m.a.s.l.
Process: Washed
Species: Arabica
Varietal: Castillo, Caturra, Colombia
The Region of Huila
The Huila region is celebrated not only for the quality of its coffee but also as Colombia’s first department to begin coffee cultivation. Known for their dedication to quality, Huila’s farmers invest considerable care in their crops and are often at the forefront of adopting new farming and processing techniques. Key coffee-producing municipalities in Huila include Pitalito, Garzón, Gigante, San Agustín, La Plata, Paicol, and Acevedo, among others.
Huila coffee accounts for 18% of Colombia’s production and is always in high demand, often selected as a single-origin offering for its balanced acidity and sweetness. The region’s landscape, shaped by volcanoes and mountains, offers a rich terroir of high-altitude, fertile soils and a diverse range of ecosystems ideal for coffee cultivation. Farms are located between 1,500 and 2,300 metres above sea level, producing coffees with vibrant acidity and characteristic sweet notes, making Huila a truly exceptional coffee origin.
History of coffee in Colombia
As with many coffee-growing regions, it’s believed that coffee was first introduced to Colombia by priests, likely arriving in the early 17th century, shortly after coffee reached the Americas via the Caribbean. Initially, coffee was grown as a small-scale, garden crop for local use and trade.
Unlike other origins, Colombia’s coffee history includes the legendary tale of a priest named Francisco Romero, often regarded as the father of commercial coffee cultivation in Colombia. According to folklore, in the early 1800s, Father Francisco, while hearing confessions in the northeastern town of Salazar de las Palmas, assigned coffee planting as penance for parishioners' sins. The story reached the Archbishop of Colombia, who then instructed priests across the country to adopt this practice. Soon, coffee cultivation flourished, expanding into regions with ideal growing conditions and establishing Colombia’s reputation as a premier coffee origin.