Coffee

As a coffee junkie I have found it challenging to locate the good stuff in Medellín. Finding a shop that roasts its own beans or sells roasted beans by the pound has been difficult. Now that is changing with the new Juan Valdez cafes opening up the market here for gourment coffee. You can buy an assortment of beans at a decent price and the coffee is delicious. I was going to their cafe in the Oviedo Mall, which is great for watching the beautiful people. But now that I live closer to downtown I like the new location at the Museo Antioquia. You can sit outside on the terrace in front of the Botero sculpture garden and watch the day go by. A great location. In terms of buying coffee at the grocery store I have a personal favorite which is "Oma" brand. The more popular brands are just like Maxwell House and taste like mud (in my opinion). When we visited the pueblo of Jardín a few weeks ago we picked up some great beans there and also some coffee-flavored arequipe which lasted about one day. Haven't been to coffee country yet but am looking forward to it. Any opinions?

JC at Ricolombia

By CasaSol on Dec 14, 2004, 08:06 in Friendly Talkzone.

elmodefoque says on Dec 14, 2004, 08:12:

i think i'm the only colombian that does not drink coffee. but please enjoy colombias most price possesion.

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one. CURRAMBA, EL MEJOR VIVIDERO DEL MUNDO!

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pablo says on Dec 14, 2004, 10:26:

More on coffee Hi JC,

Another coffee junkie...cool. I haven't found any stores that roast their own but Le Bon in Parque Lleras might. They do a fairly decent job on espresso although a bit bland to my liking. I brought a small home coffee roaster with me and purchased some green beans from the large commercial roaster you have probably smelled often.

That coffee flavored arequipe sounds good. I too was thinking of visiting Jardin in the future and will look for some while there. What is Jardin like in regards to the women in comparison to Medellin?

I sent you a PM so look in your in box.

Chao

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Mr. Hollywood says on Dec 14, 2004, 10:55:

I like There's a brand called Mesa de Los Santos that I like a lot. It's organically grown, dark roast, really nice. You can find it at Pomona or Carrefour. More expensive than the standard brands but still pretty cheap compared to US or European prices for gourmet coffee

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Hunter says on Dec 14, 2004, 14:02:

The Pomona supermarkets in Medellin have a coffee shop in them, can't remember the name, but thats my favourite cafe for coffee.

They also sell the coffee they use.

Hunter

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LaloG says on Dec 14, 2004, 22:29:

Coffee additions??? A Colombian friend who was born in the coffee region, tells me that a lot of the cheaper brands of Colombian coffee being sold already powdered for expresso machines, have a good deal of undesireable additives to stretch the beans for more profit. Among the worst he describes is beef and pig blood, dried and then added to the powder.
Sorry to turn your stomach, but with such a major export it is to be expected somewhat. Sort of brings to mind the stories a few years back when there was a grape shortage in Italy, the Italians began exporting wine adulterated with banana skins and animal blood. Of course it all went to the US because gringos couldn´t tell the difference.

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Hunter says on Dec 15, 2004, 11:04:

I was always told that most of the best coffee went abroad and the majority of the not so good coffee stays in Colombia.

From what I taste at most places, I would agree with the statement.

Hunter

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miamimike says on Dec 15, 2004, 20:30:

Chocolate covered roasted coffe beans Had a few in my welder's garage here in Miami the other day and Man, are they good. Never saw them in Colombia but here in Miami. Anyone else ever try them?

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Lionheart says on Dec 15, 2004, 21:30:

yeah I have seen them and eaten them often in Seattle ... not only at Starbucks.

Did you ever drink Sambucca the traditional way? 3 floating espresso beans set on fire, blow out (remember that, after a few you might forget), dump in mouth, chew beans with Sambucca, swallow.

I remember a Sambucca TV commercial in Germany. "Who says is has to be 3 beans?" and puts only 2 beans in ... he is struck by lightning.

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miamimike says on Dec 16, 2004, 09:28:

WOw!! Lionheart-don't know if I have the courage for that drill. No lo puedo!! ja! ja!

"Wait a minute. What did you just say? You're predicting $4-a-gallon gas? That's interesting. I hadn't heard that." -- Feb. 28, 2008 --George W. Bush, Washington, D.C.

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Miguel says on Dec 16, 2004, 23:57:

Hunter is right A friend of mine is a coffee buyer with extensive time on the ground all over South and Central America, and he says, that short of growing your own or staying on a coffee farm, the best beans are exported. I had a hard time finding the elusive tinto several times in Colombia.

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