Colombia has gained worldwide fame thanks to coffee. And if Brazil is ahead of the rest in terms of sales, then its northern neighbor is in terms of grain quality. Moreover, coffee was introduced to Colombia relatively recently - at the beginning of the XVIII century. The first department, where they began to grow arabica, was Santander. One hundred years passed, and coffee from Colombia was exported. The sales experience was very successful, and in the middle of the XIX century there was a rapid expansion of the area under the plantation.
Modern Colombia is one of the leaders in coffee production. But since the country’s territory is small, it accounts for only 15 percent of the world grain volume. The higher Colombian coffee is valued among gourmets. Several varieties are grown on four and a half million hectares of plantations: extra, excelso, UGQ (“unusually good quality”). The most popular is Colombia Supremo coffee. Our story will be dedicated to him.
The nuances of Colombian coffee
A small equatorial country is very diverse in relief. Therefore, harvests in the valleys and in the foothills do not match. Colombia has high plantation productivity. On average, 930 kilograms of grains are collected per hectare! With such high yields, excellent quality is maintained. The main feature of Colombian coffee is its soft, velvety taste. How are varieties different? Officially they are classified by grain size. This term is called "screen."
Columbia Supremo coffee must have a grain size of at least 7 millimeters. More miniature screenshots are classified as excelsos. Of course, for a gourmet, the grain size does not matter, because they are ground before use. The taste and aromatic qualities of coffee are affected by: the height of the plantations, soil, microclimate. Of great importance is the care of the plantation. Elite varieties come from areas where arabica trees alternate with palm trees that obscure the coffee culture. For gourmets, grain processing, the degree of roasting and grinding are also important.
Where is coffee grown
It is known that arabica trees, although they come from sultry Africa, do not like great heat. They give the best crops if they grow in a moderately humid, slightly cool climate. Fortunately, there is the Andes in Colombia. Varieties such as supremo and excelso are grown in the northwest of the country. In a cool climate, and even in the shade of palm trees, grains ripen much more slowly than in the valleys under the scorching equatorial sun.
Excelsio grows on more acidic soils. In addition, such arabica was made into wood chips from a wild-growing coffee tree, which increased the hybrid's resistance to diseases and pests. But he has less grain, and sourness is felt in taste. But both varieties have an excellent bouquet, balance and saturation.
Varieties "Supremo"
The location of plantations in the foothills of the Andes at an altitude of more than a thousand meters above sea level is a good indicator of the quality of the drink. But it is still blurry. It also matters on which slope — north or south — trees grow, whether there are volcanic rocks rich in minerals in the soil, etc. Therefore, experts distinguish several subspecies in Columbia Supremo coffee.
If you like sourness, pungency and rich chocolate body of the drink, then choose Antioquia. This subspecies is ideal for making espresso. Columbia Supremo Kindio comes from the department of the same name. It is located off the Pacific coast, in the west of the country, on the mountain slopes of the Andes. In 2011, this department was included in the UNESCO List as a World Heritage Site for its unique landscape. If we compare the coffee terroir with the wine one, we can say that Kindio is Cote d'Or Colombia.
Treatment
The country exports Colombia Supremo coffee beans. But do not assume that they do not undergo processing, even if primary, on the territory of the state of production. Firstly, the coffee that was grown in environmentally friendly conditions without chemical fertilizers is highly regarded. Harvest is usually harvested by hand. The grains are washed and dried. Some firms make coffee.
Supremo has a rich chocolate flavor. And to further emphasize it, use strong roasting. This coffee is ideal for espresso. But it is equally good for making a drink in a cezve or a French press. Some companies grind coffee and pack it in vacuum packaging. The degree of grinding of the grains determines how the brew should be brewed.
Gastronomic qualities
But the lion's share of Colombian exports comes from raw grains. Importing companies fry them at their discretion. Some coffee beans undergo grinding to varying degrees. Thus, the Russian consumer receives a prefabricated product, which has been worked on by both Colombian planters and distribution companies. For example, in reviews of Jardine Columbia Supremo coffee, consumers emphasize that the drink has a pronounced chocolate body. But this is achieved due to the deep roasting of grains.
From such coffee, according to reviews, it turns out an excellent, balanced espresso - bright, slightly spicy, with a rich aroma. The acidity of the drink is insignificant, similar to tangerine. As the coffee cools, it intensifies. The taste is felt notes of almond and sweet fruit. In coffee of other companies, where the roasting is not so strong, soft, creamy notes appear more. Sourness in such a product is practically not felt. The taste is dominated by chocolate, which does not disappear, even if milk is added to the drink. The bouquet is rich, with hints of walnut and caramel.
Secrets of making a delicious drink: grinding
As gourmets assure the reviews, Colombia Supremo coffee beans are the best material for preparing an invigorating and tasty drink. And there are several explanations for this. There are several ways to make a drink - in an espresso machine, in a traditional coffee maker (geyser type), in a Turk, in a French press. Each of these methods requires its own grinding.
And secondly, the aroma of coffee, alas, disappears and disappears very quickly, even in well-closed containers. Therefore, gourmets prefer to buy coffee beans. You should not grind them for the future. The mill should be used exclusively for coffee. It is impossible to crush granulated sugar in it into powder, pepper or nuts. For the French press, coarse grinding is suitable, for a coffee machine - medium, and for brewing in cezve or for espresso - fine.
Brewing a drink
If you are a busy person or you don’t have a mill in your house, you can buy Colombia Supremo ground coffee. In the reviews, gourmets claim that the most delicious drink is obtained from cooking in cezve. This metal (less often clay) utensil with a narrow neck and a wide bottom is also called a Turk. Cezves come in different sizes, and you should take the appropriate one. After all, water needs to be poured to a narrow neck.
But first, put ground coffee at the bottom of the Turks. If you like a sweet drink, add sugar. Now pour cold water. It must be spring. Tap water can spoil elite coffee with its metallic shade. We put the Turk on fire. As soon as a high, rapidly rising foam appears, raise the cezve. We are waiting for the hat to settle. Repeat the action two more times.
Firm "Jardin"
As mentioned above, a lot depends on the importing company. After all, the lion's share of coffee sales falls on raw grains. Fry them, grind and pack them closer to the buyer. Russian consumers are served by the worldwide Jardin network. Colombia Supremo coffee beans and ground are purchased from the best regions of the equatorial country. Plantations lie at an altitude of 1200-1400 m above sea level, and arabica trees are shaded by palm trees. Grains are selected by size and processed according to the latest technologies (washing and drying).
Then the specialists of "Jardin" undertake business. To emphasize the chocolate dominant in the taste of this arabica variety, they use the deepest roasting of grains (a pack of blue). This coffee is perfect for brewing "oriental" or espresso.
The company also practices less deep frying (3 on a five-point scale). Coffee from a brown pack will appeal to those who like cappuccino, latte and other cocktails based on arabica and milk.
Gutenberg Firm
In addition to Jardine Columbia Supremo coffee, other brands are also available to Russian consumers. Lovers of mild taste with a little sourness can try Colombia Medellin Supremo. "Supremo Medellin" is one of the elite varieties of Colombian Arabica. The brewed drink has a caramel-chocolate profile. Because of this natural sweetness, the variety is called "soft." Gutenberg uses medium roasting for this type of coffee. There is no trace of bitterness in the drinks, but a slight, fruity-wine acidity in the aftertaste remains. The aroma is rich, classically coffee.