Quindío’s Coffee Culture

Quindío, Colombia’s cultural roots run deep in coffee. From the first plants brought with the Spanish settlers in the 1700s to the small coffee farms that emerged in the 19th century to becoming the region’s primary export, coffee has shaped the region’s identity for generations. What began as a colonial crop has become the cornerstone of Quindío’s economy and the heartbeat of its culture.

While Botero Coffee Company is a young brand, its origins are inseparable from this legacy. Our Co-founder and CEO is Mauricio Botero – an American entrepreneur dedicated to honoring the generations of coffee farmers – cafeteros – in his own family ancestry. 

In Colombia, coffee is far more than an agricultural commodity – it’s the foundation of a culture as rich and full-bodied as the beverage it is based on. The culture has even been noted for its Outstanding Universal Value, with the Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia receiving a UNESCO World Heritage designation.

A Legacy Rooted in History

As Spaniards began to settle in Central and South America centuries ago, Jesuit missionaries brought coffee along for their journey. Upon settling in Colombia, they encouraged locals to cultivate coffee as a cash crop, sparking the rise of family-owned plantations across the steep-sloped countryside. 

The coffee-growing tradition grew, spreading to meet Europe’s demand for great Colombian coffee. By the 1920s, nearly half of the country’s export earnings were attributed to coffee alone. Today, Colombia has developed a reputation for its high-quality coffees, ranking as the world’s leading producer of Arabic coffee and the world’s third largest coffee producer overall – renowned for beans of exceptional quality and flavor. 

The Families Behind the Beans

More than half a million Colombian families rely on coffee for their livelihoods, representing about 5% of the country’s population. By providing income, coffee cultivation sustains the economies of rural communities, and also supports the cafetero traditions and lifestyles representative of this unique agricultural society. 

Coffee grows best on high, steep-sloping terrain away from the valley locations of Colombia’s major cities. Cafeteros must reside near their fincas, harvest their coffee by hand, and still transport burlap sacks of coffee throughout the rural regions by Jeep Willys – just a few of the longstanding rural coffee traditions.

A close-knit culture reflects the rural nature of the region’s fincas, resulting in traditions and architecture unique to the cafetero lifestyle. The Spanish/indigenous fusion culture combined with local agricultural processes is reflected in local dwellings, music, and even style of dress.

While cafetero families must face challenges including production costs, shipping logistics, fluctuating market prices, and typically low incomes, national programs like the National Federation of Coffee Growers work to support the overall well-being of these communities and preserve their unique heritage.

Today’s Coffee Culture

Today, the rich coffee culture of Quindío is renowned throughout the world, and is celebrated locally with its annual National Coffee Festival each June. Each spring, the annual Expo EjeCafé showcases local producers and hosts quality competitions that highlight Colombia’s finest beans. Near the department’s capital of Armenia, the National Coffee Park features rides, shows, and immersive experiences centered around Quindío’s infamous coffee cultivation. 

Coffee is more than an agricultural commodity and economic staple. In Quindío, it’s part of daily life. Coffee consumption is part of morning gatherings and afternoon social rituals for many Colombians, who consume an average of 3.5 cups of coffee per day – more than other coffee-loving countries like the U.S.A. Hundreds of coffee shops and roasteries are sprinkled throughout the Quindío landscape, reflecting the region’s deep and enduring relationship with coffee.

Experience Coffee Culture for Yourself

At Botero Coffee Company, we’re proud to share Colombia’s coffee heritage with the world.  As a direct-trade company, we work to bring the freshest Colombian coffee directly to your doorstep. We sustainably source our beans from local fincas in Quindío and roast them in our local mill, or ship fresh green unroasted coffee beans to you for roasting in your own kitchen. 

Want to go even deeper? Join us for an origin trip to Quindío, where we’ll introduce you to local cafeteros, walk the stunning local fincas, and serve you mugs of fresh coffee right at its source. 

What are you waiting for? Reach out to us here and let Botero Coffee bring the soul of Colombia’s coffee culture straight to you.