Medellin Antioquia Supremo FW

Medellin is the capital of Antioquia, one of the largest growing regions in Colombia.

Smallholder producers cultivate coffee at the high altitudes of 1,100 to 1,500 meters above sea level.  Located in the Andes Mountain range, Antioquia has a wealth of microclimates. The change in microclimates is visible to naked eye by watching the roadside vegetation changing along a drive on winding mountain roads.

Coffees from the Antioquia are well known for their smooth and sweet flavor and medium body.

Farmers here are mainly smallholders. In fact, 80% of coffee farms are smaller than 3 hectares. On smaller farms, nearly all labor is done by the family. Very few farms hire farmhands. As a result, quality can be carefully controlled and families can focus more energy on intensive farming practices that result in high quality coffee. Families take great pride in their coffee production.

Most farmers conduct primary processing (pulping and drying) on their own farms. Processing infrastructure varies widely but there are noticeable similarities between farms of similar sizes or regions. Broadly speaking, most farms have traditionally used the Fully washed method and utilize dry pulping to minimize water usage.

Located in the Andes Mountain range, Antioquia has a wealth of microclimates. The change in microclimates is visible to naked eye by watching the roadside vegetation changing along a drive on winding mountain roads. Thanks to the humid climate and high altitudes near 2,000 meters above sea level, there’s pretty amazing and diverse coffees to be found.  

Sergio Fajardo, governor of Antioquia department, is determined to prove just how remarkable Antioquia is. He launched a campaign that invests in educating people across all stratas of society. Everywhere you drive in Antioquia, you’ll see banners and stickers that proudly declare “Antioquia, la más educada.” The phrase translates directly to: “Antioquia, the most educated” and it highlights that Antioquia is the most educated department in Colombia. The focus on education in Antioquia translates into a focus on sharing knowledge that can improve coffee production and quality.  

Widespread education in Antioquia directly affects coffee quality. The first phase of Fajardo’s program is focused on coffee. Coffee is the most important source of revenue for the region. The program focuses on making more traditional farmers aware of new farming practices, of more ecologically responsible methods, new varieties, and so on. The goal is to improve the general quality of the coffee produced in the region and to inspire the younger generations to follow in their parents’ footsteps.