☕ The Legend of Coffee

There are many legends about the origin of the coffee tree, but the most popular places its roots in Ethiopia, formerly known as Abyssinia, specifically in the city of Kaffa.

📖 The Legend of Kaldi tells of a 9th-century Ethiopian shepherd named Kaldi who noticed that his goats became unusually energetic after eating the red berries of an unknown shrub. Curious, he tasted the fruit himself and felt a sudden boost of energy. He brought the berries to a monk, who, suspicious of their effects, threw them into the fire. A delightful aroma filled the air, and the roasted beans were later infused, giving birth to the first cup of coffee.

Another legend attributes a divine origin to coffee: an Ethiopian sage, Bata Maryan, planted his pilgrimage staff in the ground, and it transformed into a coffee tree laden with miraculous red cherries, giving him strength and endurance for his nighttime prayers.

📜 The History of Coffee in Colombia

It is believed that coffee arrived in Arabia in the 14th century via Yemen, facilitated by trade caravans across the Red Sea. Arab merchants likely played a key role in spreading this beverage and turning it into a valuable commodity.

☕ Coffee in Colombia:

• The first plantations emerged in the eastern part of the country.
• In 1835, the first commercial production was recorded, with 2,560 sacks exported from Cúcuta.
• A priest, Francisco Romero, promoted coffee cultivation by requiring his parishioners to plant coffee trees as a form of penance.
• By 1850, coffee had expanded to the central and western regions of the country, reaching Cundinamarca, Antioquia, and the former Caldas region.

🌍 Colombian Coffee as an Export Product

Although coffee had been present since the 19th century, it became a true export product after 1850. With the expansion of the global economy, Colombian landowners saw an opportunity in the international market.

🚢 Main International Markets: ✅ United States – Became the world’s largest coffee consumer. ✅ Europe – Germany and France stood out as major buyers.

Colombia took advantage of the export boom of tobacco, quinine, leather, and cattle between 1850 and 1857. However, these industries collapsed when international prices fell. Unlike these commodities, coffee remained strong due to its consistent global demand.

📈 Between 1870 and 1900, annual production grew from 60,000 sacks to 600,000 sacks of 60 kg, mainly on large farms in Santander and Cundinamarca.

⚠️ The Coffee Crisis (19th – 20th Century)

🌍 The drop in international prices at the end of the 19th century severely impacted large coffee estates. 💥 The Thousand Days’ War (1899-1902) further deepened the crisis, devastating many plantations. ❌ Large landowners, burdened with debt, went bankrupt, while plantations in Santander and Norte de Santander declined.

🚜 The rise of small producers:

• Since 1875, small coffee growers began emerging in Santander, Antioquia, and Viejo Caldas.
• By the early 20th century, a new agricultural model based on smallholder farming had taken hold.
• This model, combined with coffee expansion in western Colombia (Antioquia, Caldas, Valle, Tolima), transformed the country’s coffee industry.

☕ Why did coffee attract small farmers? ✅ It allowed for intensive and permanent land use. ✅ It was compatible with subsistence farming. ✅ It did not require large technological investments. ✅ It provided stable income and facilitated the colonization of new lands.

🏛️ The National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers

📅 Founded in 1927 – Established to organize and protect coffee growers’ interests against logistical and commercial challenges.

📈 Immediate Impact: ✅ Between 1905 and 1935, the Colombian coffee industry experienced rapid growth. ✅ By 1930, Colombia became the second-largest coffee producer in the world. ✅ In 1938, Cenicafé was founded as a research center dedicated to improving cultivation techniques. ✅ Traceability and quality control systems were developed, allowing Colombian coffee to differentiate itself in the global market.

🌍 Today, Colombian coffee:

• Is cultivated in all mountainous regions of the country.
• Provides a livelihood for more than 563,000 producing families.
• Stands out for its globally recognized quality and sustainability.

🌟 Conclusion: The Excellence of Colombian Coffee

Colombia has turned coffee into a national symbol and a global benchmark. Thanks to its rich history, its agricultural model based on smallholder farming, and the commitment of the Federation of Coffee Growers, Colombian coffee continues to stand out for its quality and sustainability.

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🌍☕ Explore the history and taste of the world’s best coffee!