National Coffee Day: 4 reasons to have a coffee in Colombia

Every June 27, National Coffee Day is celebrated in Colombia, to pay tribute to a drink that is not only a fundamental pillar of our culture and economy, but also an articulating axis of our development as a society.

Brief history of coffee

The first records of human consumption of coffee date back hundreds of years to Ethiopia, where during the 9th century the red fruits of the Coffea arabica bush were consumed. There is a legend of a shepherd named Kaldi who noticed how his goats became more energetic after eating these beans. 

It was not until the 15th century that coffee began to be consumed as a beverage in the region of Yemen, where Sufis used it to stay awake during their long prayer sessions. Coffee quickly became popular, reaching Egypt and the Ottoman Empire, where the first “qahveh khaneh”, “coffee houses” in Persian, appeared in Mecca, Istanbul and Cairo. Its spread throughout Europe during the 17th century led coffee to be a fashionable drink among intellectuals and politicians in Venice, London and Paris.

Colombia and coffee

Those responsible for introducing coffee to Colombia were the Jesuits, who in the 18th century created small crops in the mountainous regions of the center of the country. Over the years, coffee became a dominant crop and its production was concentrated in the departments of Quindío, Risaralda and Caldas, whose soil is ideal for growing the Arabica variety.

At the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th century, coffee experienced an unprecedented economic boom in Colombia, due to the increase in international demand. This allowed coffee to become the backbone of the Colombian economy, generating significant income for the country and contributing to the development of infrastructure, education and public services.  During this period, the country established itself as one of the world’s leading coffee producers and, currently, has received numerous international awards and recognitions.

I’ll have a coffee for Colombia

Here are some reasons why National Coffee Day is celebrated today. Raise your coffee and toast Colombia:

1. Cultural Heritage: From the steep slopes of the coffee mountain range to urban homes, coffee has been rooted in the daily lives of Colombians for generations as a link to the traditions and values ​​that define national identity.
2. Economic Engine: Colombia is one of the main coffee producers in the world. The coffee industry not only generates employment for thousands of families, but also drives economic development in the coffee-growing regions of the country.
3. Quality and Diversity: Colombian coffees are internationally appreciated for their smooth flavor, distinctive aroma and fruity notes. From the mild coffee of the lowlands to the more robust coffees of the mountains, in Colombia there is a coffee for all types of palates.
4. Coffee Culture: Colombians have an intimate relationship with coffee, as close and inherent as Argentines have with mate or the English with tea. It is an essential part of tourism, gastronomy and art in all its expressions.

Celebrating Colombian Coffee

On this day, Colombians celebrate not only the exceptional quality of their coffee, but also the creation of the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia. It was established for, among other reasons, to recognize the work of Colombian coffee growers. Because of the crucial role that coffee plays in the daily lives of millions of people in Colombia and around the world, from morning rituals to social and cultural gatherings, have a coffee for Colombia.