The coffee as the national beverage of Colombia

Did you know that coffee was declared the National Beverage of Colombia? That’s right—coffee has been officially recognized as the most representative drink of our land, both at home and abroad. Here are some of the reasons why it more than deserves that title.

Since its arrival on the continent, coffee has secured a very important place in shaping the country’s cultural and economic life. It has become so deeply rooted in our daily rituals and in our collective imagination as a society, that it is hard to imagine Colombians without coffee being present.

In July 2025, the Colombian Congress passed Law 358 of 2024, officially declaring coffee as the national beverage of Colombia—both a symbolic and strategic recognition of its cultural, economic, and social value. Buencafé is deeply proud to carry the name of 100% Colombian Coffee high, and today we want to share with you the reasons why coffee truly deserves to be considered the national beverage.

Its Historical Role

Coffee was introduced to Colombia in the 18th century, and the first record of its presence in our territory appears in El Orinoco Ilustrado (1730), written by Jesuit priest José Gumilla. In other words, coffee predates even the country’s independence movements. From there, cultivation slowly expanded through Santander, Cundinamarca, and the Andean region, until it consolidated in the 19th century as one of Colombia’s most important and distinctive products.

In 1927, the National Federation of Coffee Growers was founded—a key institution for the growth and development of the sector. Later, in 1959, the iconic character of Juan Valdez was created, a universal figure that embodies the authenticity of Colombian coffee growers and the Café de Colombia seal. In 1973, the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia established Buencafé, the coffee growers’ company dedicated to freeze-drying 100% Colombian coffee and bringing its flavor and aroma to more than 60 countries.

In 2011, UNESCO declared the Coffee Cultural Landscape a World Heritage Site, recognizing not only its agricultural value but also the cultural and social fabric built around this beverage by generations of Colombians.

Its Role in the National Economy

Today, more than 557,000 coffee-growing families depend directly on the cultivation of Arabica coffee for their livelihoods. Thanks to their work, Buencafé produces 24 million cups of 100% Colombian freeze-dried coffee every day, enjoyed in homes across more than 60 countries worldwide. This means that Colombian coffee’s role in the trade balance, in generating rural and urban employment, in linked services, and in tourism, makes it a true engine of Colombia’s national economy.

Its Cultural Roots

Coffee stopped being just another shrub in the landscape long ago. It has become part of Colombia’s idiosyncrasy and DNA. It is part of daily life, of gatherings, and of celebrations. So, the next time you enjoy a cup of 100% Colombian freeze-dried coffee, remember: it’s not just a beverage—it’s also a symbol of Colombia’s identity.