With countless coffee brands competing for your attention, finding the perfect brew can be overwhelming. Supermarkets like Carulla, Éxito, MerCaldas, and Super Inter offer a wide selection, but how do you choose the best? Let’s explore Coffee in Manizales and uncover the richest, most authentic local flavors!

Pasilla to Specialty Coffee – Quality

Understanding Coffee in Colombia: Quality Levels and What to Look For

Colombian coffee is categorized into three main quality levels:

• Pasilla – Considered the lowest grade, pasilla consists of defective beans discarded during production.
• Commercial – These beans receive varying degrees of care in cultivation and typically score 80 or below on the cupping scale.
• Specialty – The highest quality, specialty coffee is meticulously selected at every stage, from picking and washing to packing—and sometimes even after roasting—earning a cupping score of 85 or higher.

Determining quality isn’t always straightforward. Mass-market brands like Sello Rojo and Mariscal are made from low-grade beans and lack the refined flavors of higher-quality coffee.

For mid-range commercial options, Juan Valdez and Buen Día offer better quality but still fall into the commercial category unless specifically labeled otherwise. These are the coffees typically served in restaurants and receptions.

If you’re searching for the best Coffee in Manizales, look beyond supermarket shelves and explore local specialty roasters for a truly authentic experience.

How to Choose the Best Specialty Coffee in Manizales

Specialty coffee is typically found in local cafés, organic shops, and select supermarkets, often produced by smaller, artisanal brands. To ensure top quality, look for a cupping score of 85 or higher—but keep in mind that scores can fluctuate due to seasonal changes, weather patterns, and farm conditions.

Since agricultural factors impact flavor, it’s common for coffee enthusiasts to switch brands periodically based on harvest quality.

For optimal freshness, always check the roast date and aroma. Freshly roasted coffee features a vent hole on the packaging, allowing gases to escape. The ideal flavor profile develops between 2 to 10 days after roasting, while coffee should be consumed within 15 to 30 days to maintain peak freshness. After a month, both aroma and flavor begin to fade, affecting your overall coffee experience.

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Colmountain Coffee: A Local Gem with a Passion for Quality

For a truly authentic coffee experience in Manizales, try Colmountain Coffee, a small, family-owned brand dedicated to quality. Founded by Laura Banesa, this exceptional coffee is produced by her aunt, Nelsa Mesa Cardona, and uncle, Dario Duque Salazar, on their small farm just outside Manizales. Their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability makes Colmountain Coffee a must-try for those seeking the finest locally grown flavors.

Si uno hace las cosas con cariño, con empeño y con amor, todo fluye. / If everyone does things with care, determination and love, everything flows.

Nelsa Mesa Cardona

Colmountain Coffee: A Local Gem with a Passion for Quality

For a truly authentic coffee experience in Manizales, try Colmountain Coffee, a small, family-owned brand dedicated to quality. Founded by Laura Banesa, this exceptional coffee is produced by her aunt, Nelsa Mesa Cardona, and uncle, Dario Duque Salazar, on their small farm just outside Manizales. Their commitment to craftsmanship and sustainability makes Colmountain Coffee a must-try for those seeking the finest locally grown flavors.

Colmountain Coffee takes extra time and care in fermentation and drying, enhancing the beans’ natural flavors and overall quality. The drying process lasts an average of 10 days before washing and roasting, ensuring optimal development. To preserve the rich aroma and balanced flavor profile, all coffee is sold at a medium roast, unless a special request is made. This dedication to craftsmanship sets Colmountain Coffee apart as a premium choice for Coffee in Manizales.

Characteristics: Colmountain Coffee uses Castilla Variety – of the Arabica species. Altitude: 1,650 meters above sea level (5,413 feet). Typical flavor profile: Chocolate with yellow fruits. Cupping Score: average of 86/100 pts – export quality. Cost per pound: 24,000 COP Discount: 20% off when you buy 6 pounds or more! ENGLISH SPOKEN Call: +57 311 389 9405

Be sure to mention that we told you about Colmountain Coffee!!!

For a small-lot coffee crafted with exceptional care, Colmountain Coffee offers a truly personal and artisanal experience. Designed to stay intimate and community-focused, this local brand thrives in Manizales’ entrepreneur fairs, regional gatherings, and private events. Keep an eye out for Laura Banesa, who passionately represents her coffee at these events. She speaks English, so don’t hesitate to say hello, ask questions, and learn more about her dedication to high-quality coffee in Manizales!

Finca Buenavista: The Elevation Advantage

Grown at 1,650 meters above sea level (5,413 feet), Colmountain Coffee benefits from high-altitude conditions that enhance its natural sweetness and aromatic complexity. This ideal elevation helps develop rich flavor notes, often featuring hints of chocolate and yellow fruits, creating a smooth and fragrant cup. Experience the unique taste of high-altitude coffee in Manizales with Colmountain Coffee’s carefully cultivated beans.

During our visit, we spent time with Nelsa Mesa Cardona, who shared insights into her family’s deep-rooted coffee culture and traditions. She introduced us to a fascinating tool called the Garrucha—a small cable car system used to transport coffee, meals, and even workers (one at a time) up and down the mountain. This ingenious setup highlights the innovation and dedication behind coffee cultivation in Manizales, where every step is carefully managed to produce exceptional beans..

Rooted in generations of coffee farming tradition, Nelsa Mesa Cardona and her husband dedicate themselves to cultivating, harvesting, and replanting coffee with a strong focus on quality. Meanwhile, Laura Banesa meticulously oversees her portion of the process—from fermentation and drying to final packaging—ensuring that every bag of Colmountain Coffee delivers the best possible flavor and freshness. This hands-on approach guarantees a truly authentic coffee experience in Manizales.

Coffee in Manizales: Supporting Local Farmers

When you buy Coffee in Manizales, whether it’s Colmountain Coffee or another locally grown brand, you’re doing more than just enjoying a great cup—you’re supporting local farmers, families, and the regional economy. Choosing locally sourced coffee helps sustain traditional farming practices and ensures the highest quality beans, grown with care in the heart of Colombia’s coffee region.

For more information, contact Laura Banesa to order your next bag of coffee at 311 389 9405 (Colombia).

Specialty Colombian coffee prioritizes sustainability by minimizing the use of chemicals and pesticides, relying instead on ancestral farming techniques to manage pests naturally. By choosing locally grown specialty coffee in Manizales, you’re not only enjoying a superior brew but also supporting eco-friendly practices that help protect the local environment.