STiR coffee and tea magazine

STiR coffee and tea 37 Main Harvest Two Harvests (main) Main Harvest Two Harvests (main) Antioquia Choco Caldas Risaralia Valle Tolima Meta Casanare Boyaca Santander Cesar La Guajira Magdalena Bolivar Cordoba Cundinamarga Guaviare Caqueta Huila Cauca Narino N Sustainable coffee Colombia's share of certified or verified exports is higher than the global average where about 12.5% of exports are certified sustainable. Currently, 14% of National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (FNC) coffee exports are sold under one or more certification or verification seals. FNC is the largest single supplier of sustainable coffees worldwide, represent- ing 6% of the world's total exports. So far, roughly 40% of Colombian coffee farms comply with at least one sustainability standard, accounting for an area of more than 396,000 hectares or 42% of the cultivated area. The Pelador filter and holder, adapted from the Japanese Tetradrip at Desarrolladores de Café A new flavor experience In Bogotá, there are about a hundred premium specialty cafés vying for top places on competi- tive lists. Varietale is consistently ranked one of the top three. Its two locations draw a young, vi- brant crowd from nearby universities, dispensing coffee brewed with the latest methods, including an enormous Japanese (Koyoto) cold-brew tower. Varietale's Chapinero shop houses the com- pany's own roastery, where light roasts are pre- ferred. Both locations in renovated houses with lush gardens and plenty of comfortable corners to retire to for meetings or solo work sessions using the free wi-fi. Arte y Pasión Café offers dozens of Colombian coffee brands and brews them us- ing practically any method, from Aeropress to the traditional Colombian café colado, which uses a fabric filter hung on a wire frame. Medellin, whose "eternal spring" climate aces the London-esque chill of Bogotá is a magnet for hipsters of all nationalities. German ex-pat Nikolaï Fürst opened his coffee shop and lab, Desarolla- dores de Café (Coffee Developers), in the upscale Poblado nabe in May. It is situated near premium cafés Pergamino and Café Velvet. A self-admitted coffee geek, owner-barista Fürst strives to perfect his product with processes and instruments he has invented or adapted to measure, for example, the simple and complex sugars of the brew. Another is designed to reduce turbulence when the boiling water hits the ground coffee. "We're looking for the sweet spot," he says. "It's not just about selling coffee, it's about a new flavor experience." He sources his coffee from seven farms in Antioquia, Huila, Risaraldes, Quindio, Cauca, and Tolima, offering bespoke va- rieties for retail clients. "Tell us what you want, we work with the grower to develop it," he said. Those eager to learn attend courses on every as- pect of coffee preparation, filling the shop on a regular basis. Café Revolución arguably started the indie café movement in Medel- lin was followed by Swiss-owned Swiss Bakery, French-owned Café Cliché and New Zealander-owned Hija Mia. All are independent, much appreciated hangouts for the waves of digital nomads who flock to the city. Café Oasis, located in the newly desirable though still grungy Centro area, is tucked inside the happening Göra Makerspace and run by German national Enrico Ricigli- ano. With Colombian partner Ana Seguro, Ricigliano orders single origin cof- fees from a local roaster and hand-sorts the beans before grinding. In the month since Oasis opened, it's been serving cappuccinos, nitro cold brews, and home-made croissants to the musicians, clothing designers, analog pho- tographers, and lithographers who rent space in the converted hacienda. Last week, the broken pavement outside was replaced by clean new tiled sidewalks and a bicycle lane.

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