Central coffee region (eje cafetero)

CENTRAL COFFEE REGION (EJE CAFETERO)

 The Central Coffee Region, famously known as the Eje Cafetero or Coffee Axis, forms the historical and cultural core of Colombia’s coffee industry. It encompasses the departments of Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda, with additional strong contributors such as Antioquia and Tolima. The landscape is mountainous, with altitudes ranging between 1,200 and 1,800 meters above sea level, fertile volcanic soils, and a consistently mild climate averaging 18–22°C — all ideal for high-quality Arabica coffee cultivation. This region represents the heart of Café de Colombia, producing coffees recognized worldwide for their medium body, balanced sweetness, bright citrus acidity, and smooth nutty or caramel-like flavours. The combination of rich volcanic soils and alternating wet and dry seasons allows for continuous cherry development, resulting in clean and well-structured cup profiles. Caldas, Quindío, and Risaralda make up the traditional Coffee Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where coffee growing is deeply intertwined with local identity, smallholder traditions, and rural architecture. Farms are mostly small-scale (1–3 hectares), managed by family producers who rely on manual picking and wet processing methods that preserve bean quality.