10 BEST COLOMBIAN COFFEE BRANDS [2022]

In Colombia, coffee isn’t just a crop, it’s a way of life. Colombia is one of the largest producers of coffee in the world. For generations, family farms have been intertwining coffee agriculture with cultural traditions. Pair that with rich soil and high elevation and you have the ideal conditions for growing quality coffee beans. So, it should come as no surprise that coffee aficionados are crazy about Colombian coffee.

Trouble is, with so many different Colombian coffee brands how do you choose? Don’t worry, I’m here to help. Here are the 10 best Colombian coffee brands as well as a breakdown on why everyone is raving about these beans.
 

BEST EXOTIC COFFEE BRAND: VOLCANICA COLOMBIAN SUPREMO

The folks over at Volcanica care as much about taste as they do sustainability. They utilize eco-friendly roasting methods to reduce their carbon footprint. Fair Trade Certified and Rainforest Alliance Certified, Volcanica also donates a portion of their proceeds to support Clarity: Water. A nonprofit dedicated to bringing clean and safe drinking water to developing countries.

As for their Colombian roast, it’s simply divine. The Volcanica Colombian Supremo has a smooth balanced flavor with a medium body and nutty aroma. Take a sip and you’ll get wonderful hints of chocolate and orange.

If you want to drink Colombian, this is a hard cup to beat. These beans are 100 percent Colombian and sourced high up in the Andes where they grow in volcanic ash.
 

PROS

• Fair Trade
• Sustainable roasting practices
• Exotic blend

CONS

• Some may not like chocolate notes
• May be too bitter for some

BEST ORGANIC BRAND: JUAN VALDEZ ORGANIC GOURMET COLOMBIAN

If you’re looking to switch to organic beans, get a taste of Juan Valdez Organic Gourmet Colombian. Handpicked, Juan Valdez uses sustainable practices to harvest and roast their Colombian beans. This roast is also USDA Certified, JAS Certified, and EU Organic Certified.

Featuring a robust flavor profile, these beans are mild on the bitterness scale making them ideal for coffee drinkers who want a mellow cup. Take a sip and you’ll be greeted by a pleasantly strong aroma with less acidity. Purchase a bag of Juan Valdez Organic Gourmet Colombian and a portion of the proceeds will go towards infrastructure in regions of need.
 

PROS

• Fair Trade Certified
• Organic Certified
• Handpicked

CONS

• May not be bold enough for some
• Pricer than other options

BEST SUBSCRIPTION: KOFFEE KULT COLOMBIAN HUILA COFFEE

Worried you’ll run out of Colombian coffee? Join the Koffee Kult. Their subscription service that is. Koffee Kult is a small batch artisan roaster offering coffee loving patrons a zero commitment subscription. That way you can get fresh beans delivered directly to your door.

Located in Florida, all Koffee Kult’s blends are 100 percent arabica beans. Including their Colombian blend. The Koffee Kult Colombian Huila Coffee has a sweet flavor profile with notes of chocolate and caramel. Sourced from the Huila region, Colombian Huila Coffee is a full-bodied blend with a bold aroma.

Brew a cup and stir in a spoonful of powdered creamer for an afternoon pick me up. This Colombian roast is best for coffee drinkers who like sweet specialty blends.
 

PROS

• Small batch roaster
• Zero commitment subscription service
• 100 percent arabica beans

CONS

• Expensive
• Not certified as Fair Trade
• Branding may be off-putting to some

BEST KOSHER CERTIFIED BRAND: JO COFFEE COLOMBIA JO

Jo Coffee began in 2013 to offer Amazon shoppers a gourmet blend with organic certifications. They source their beans worldwide from the top 2 percent of Certified Organic arabica coffee. Throughout the years, they have become associated with numerous alliances and associations. These include Fair Trade USA, Rainforest Alliance, Slow Food USA, and the Roaster’s Guild.

Inside the sleek packaging of their Colombia Jo lies a medium roast with nutty and sweet undertones. Coarse grind some beans and brew them in a French press for a fresh cup of joe – sorry, couldn’t resist.

Colombia Jo is offered in 12 ounce packaging with your choice of one bag or two. Which, if you drink coffee like I do, you’ll want that second bag.
 

PROS

• Fair Trade certified
• Organically sourced
• Kosher certified

CONS

• Some may not like sweet undertones
• May be too bitter for some

BEST MELLOW CUP: DON PABLO COFFEE GROWERS AND ROASTERS COLOMBIAN SUPREMO

Don Pablo Coffee Growers and Roasters has been in the coffee business since 2004. Founded by a husband and wife team, their small-batch specialty coffees are roasted to order so you can brew the freshest cup. Don’t be fooled by their cheesy packaging. The Don Pablo Colombian Supremo is a real treat.

These Colombian beans are slow-roasted to reach peak flavor. Pair that with the expertise of their Colombian master roaster and you have the makings for a quality blend. Smooth and rich, pour yourself a cup and breathe in the aroma of a fresh, medium-bodied cup. You’ll notice notes of citrus and chocolate without the unwanted acidity.

If you’re looking for a mild and mellow way to jump start your day, Don Pablo Colombian Supremo is a great choice.
 

PROS

• Reasonably priced
• Made to order
• Company has Latin roots
• Non-GMO

CONS

• Cheesy packaging my deter some
• Not as robust as other options

BEST SMALL BATCH ROASTER: COOPER’S CASK COFFEE CO. COLOMBIAN DARK ROAST

Cooper’s Cask Coffee Co. is a small batch roaster that specializes in barrel-aged coffee. Bourbon, whiskey, rum, and wine barrels to be exact. This imparts complex flavors and tantalizing aromas to every roast. To ensure freshness, Cooper’s Cask Coffee Co. roasts to order and stamps each bag with the roasting date. If you don’t happen to like your beans, you can return your bag within 30 days for a full refund. Which, odds are, you won’t need.

While they offer a variety of tasty blends, their Colombian is truly unique. The Cooper’s Coffee Co. Colombian Dark Roast is a single origin and Fair Trade roast with a lovely flavor profile. Notes of fruit with a subtle chocolate hint add a vibrant taste in every sip.

Delightfully balanced, you won’t need cream and sugar when you drink this Colombian coffee. However, we won’t knock you if you like to doctor up your cup.
 

PROS

• Complex flavors and aromas
• Balanced
• Roasted to order

CONS

• Pricey
• May be too bold for some

BEST FOR LOWER ACIDITY: JAVA PLANET ORGANIC COFFEE ROASTERS COLOMBIA ORGANIC

If you like a balanced profile with lower acidity, the Java Planet Organic Coffee Roasters Colombia Organic may be your new favorite brew. One of their best-sellers, this organic Colombian coffee has some fruity undertones that pair well with a breakfast scone. Born in 2009, Java Planet prides itself on being free of pesticides and chemicals. This not only means better flavor, but it also means less harm to your body and the planet.

Along with being organic, some of their coffees are also Bird Friendly and Fair Trade. Sign up for their coffee subscription and you’ll save 10 percent with each order.
 

PROS

• 100 percent organic
• Lower acidity than other roasts
• Offers subscription discounts

CONS

• Slightly pricey

BEST COFFEE CHAIN BRAND: PEET’S COFFEE SINGLE ORIGIN COLOMBIA

If you want to bring a taste of the coffee shop chain to your home, try Peet’s Coffee Single Origin Colombia. This dark roast has a bold and robust flavor. With some hints of stone fruit, these single origin beans come from the southern province of Huila.

Established in Berkley, California in 1966, Peet’s Coffee is a west coast staple that has decades upon decades worth of experience. They offer a range of coffee beverages and products including bottled cold brew.

While the coffee beans aren’t roasted to order, they are marked with the date. That way you can tell how fresh your beans are before purchasing a bag.
 

PROS

• Single origin
• Affordable
• Ground or whole bean available

CONS

• Too bold for some
• Not an artisanal small batch roaster

BEST VALUE: AMAZON FRESH COLOMBIA

There’s no denying the convenience of Amazon. With fast shipping and an endless product lineup, they have everything you need in one stop. Including coffee. For those who want the flavor of Colombian coffee without the high price, there’s AmazonFresh Colombia. Part of Amazon’s grocery service, AmazonFresh Colombia comes in a 32 ounce bag at a very reasonable price.

The mellow flavor is ideal for those who don’t like their coffee too bold or robust. Add a dash of your favorite flavored creamer and pair your cup with a delectable dessert. If you’re a Prime member, you may find this bulky bag to be well worth the value.
 

PROS

• Great value
• Fast shipping
• Convenient
• Citrus aroma

CONS

• Available with Prime membership only
• Only offered in select cities
• Flavor may be too mild for some

BEST CLASSIC TASTE: DON FRANCISCO’S COFFEE COLOMBIAN SUPREMO

Don’t underestimate this canned coffee. Don Francisco’s Coffee Colombian Supremo has a rich taste that will perk you right up in the morning. Bright and floral, Colombian Supremo has a classic taste that pairs well with an automatic drip coffee machine.

Since 1870, Don Francisco’s has been run by four generations of family members with roots in the coffee farms of Cuba. Today, they operate out of a zero-waste-to-landfill roastery near Los Angeles, California.

All coffees under Don Fransico’s Coffee label are Fair Trade, USDA Certified Organic, and Rainforest Alliance. They also encourage coffee lovers to recycle their empty coffee bags and pods through the TerraCycle program.
 

PROS

• Classic taste
• Sustainable practices
• Recyclable packaging
• Long time family business

CONS

• Not as complex as some blends

WHY IS COLOMBIA COFFEE SO POPULAR?

Did you know that Colombia is the second largest coffee producer? In 2019 alone they produced about 10 percent of the world’s coffee. With stats like that, you know there has to be something worth fussing over. Read on to find out more about why the world loves Colombian coffee.
 

TERRAIN

Like a fine wine, a fine cup of coffee can be attributed to where it grows. Regions of Colombia have the ideal climate for coffee beans to thrive. Most Colombian blends come from arabica coffee beans. This variety typically grows between 2,000 to 7,000 feet. The sweet spot being towards the higher end of the spectrum. Conditions at these elevations provide cooler temperatures and ample amounts of precip. Factor in a rich soil composition and right pH level and you have the perfect conditions for growing coffee. Which is precisely what many regions in Colombia offer.

So when you see the label Colombia, the coffee roasters aren’t referring to a single coffee bean variety. Rather, they’re referring to the area in which the coffee beans were grown.
 

FLAVOR PROFILE

As I said previously, most Colombian coffee comes from arabica beans. This bean variety is often preferred to its robusta counterpart because of the quality taste and complex flavor nuances. Colombian grown arabica beans typically are roasted as a medium to dark roast. Depending upon the region and roaster, the flavors can range from chocolate to nutty to fruity to floral.

The combination of unique flavors and aromas attracts coffee lovers from around the world. Drip coffee, French press, or pour over, no matter the method a cup of Colombian coffee is hard to resist.
 

COFFEE BEAN SIZE

There are a few different labels that define Colombian coffee. These are Supremo, Extra, and Excelso. All three of these are references to the size of the bean. Supremo being the largest and Excelso being the smallest.

Due to the size, Supremo is believed to be of higher quality and taste. Hence the labels on some packaging.
 

SINGLE ORIGIN

You’ll notice some Colombian coffee bean brands use the term single origin to describe their coffee. What this refers to is where the beans are sourced. Meaning, the beans come from a single farm or region. Single origin beans tend to have a unique flavor that comes from the terrain in which they are grown. For this reason, some roasters will choose to roast Colombian beans on the lighter side so their flavor profile can shine through. The alternative to single origin is a blend. This doesn’t necessarily make the coffee inferior, it just means it