Today’s coffee: Colombia Supremo “La Valle Verde” from Colombia.
Coffee Processing:
Colombia Supremo La Valle Verde coffee is hand harvested and immediately processed using a washing method that removes the pulp and skin from the bean while the fruit is still fresh. The beans are then soaked to loosen the excess pulp and washed again. Because of this process, Supremo is destined to become high quality. The Colombia Supremo is medium roasted to perfection which creates a brew that yields a heady aroma, a very rich flavor, and an excellent balance of body and acidity.
Colombian History:
Independence from Spain was won in 1819, but by 1830 the "Gran Colombia" Federation was dissolved.
What is now Colombia and Panama emerged as the Republic of New Granada.
The new nation experimented with federalism as the Granadine Confederation and then the United States of Colombia, before the Republic of Colombia was finally declared in 1886.
Culture:
Many aspects of Colombian culture can be traced back to the early culture of Spain of the 16th century and its collision with Colombia's native civilizations.
Today, only around 3.4 percent of Colombians live and consider themselves as indigenous. Nonetheless, many elements of indigenous culture live on in Colombia's cuisine, music, folklore and language.
Immigrants represented in Colombia are from numerous countries such as Venezuela, Germany, Syria, Palestine, Uruguay, Spain, Japan, Lebanon and Italy.
Slavery was practiced in Colombia from the beginning of the 16th century until 1851.
The process consisted in the trafficking of people of African origin by the first European settlers from Spain and British merchants.
Currently, Afro-Colombians make up 10.5% of the country's population, making it the fifth largest black population in America.
Other ethnic groups include Mestizo (53.5%), White European (30.7%), Natives (3.4%), and Others (1.9%).
Geography:
The Republic of Colombia is a transcontinental country largely situated in the northwest of South America, with territories in North America.
Colombia is bordered to the northwest by Panama; to the east by Venezuela and Brazil, to the south by Ecuador and Peru, and it shares maritime limits with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.
Colombia is the 26th largest nation in the world and the fourth-largest country in South America after Brazil, Argentina, and Peru.
Despite its large territory, Colombia's population is not evenly distributed, with most Colombians living in the mountainous western portion of the country as well as the northern coastline, most living in or near the capital city of Bogotá.
The southern and eastern portions of the country are mostly sparsely inhabited tropical rainforest, and inland tropical plains containing large estates or large livestock farms, oil and gas production facilities, small farming communities and indigenous tribes.
The hydrography of Colombia is one of the richest in the world. Its main rivers are Magdalena, Cauca, Guaviare and Caquetá.
Colombia has four main drainage systems: the Pacific drain, the Caribbean drain, the Orinoco Basin and the Amazon Basin. The Orinoco and Amazon Rivers mark limits with Colombia to Venezuela and Peru respectively.
Economy:
Petroleum makes up 33% of Colombia's exports, making it Colombia’s main export.
Colombia has the fastest growing information technology industry in the world and has the longest fibre optic network in Latin America. It also has one of the largest shipbuilding industries in the world outside Asia.
Modern industries like shipbuilding, electronics, automobile, tourism, construction, and mining, grew dramatically during the 2000s and 2010s, however, most of Colombia's exports are still commodity-based.
Rappi is a Colombian technology company that builds a marketplace where local commerce can thrive. Similar to Amazon it brings vendors and clients together on a user friendly platform for all kinds of products with quick delivery.
Colombia is Latin America's 2nd-largest producer of domestically-made electronics and appliances only behind Mexico.
Colombia shipped US $39 billion worth of goods around the globe in 2022.
Colombia’s exported goods plus services represent 14.6% of total Colombian economic output. That percentage includes re-export activity.
Government:
The Government of Colombia is a republic with separation of powers into executive, judicial and legislative branches. Its legislature has a congress, its judiciary has a supreme court, and its executive branch has a president.
Colombia has "control institutions" that mix government and public officials, who work alongside one another. An independent "Ombudsman" office deals with maladministration complaints and functions.
Gustavo Petro is Colombia’s president in 2023 and the first ever democratically elected left wing president.
Colombia’s wealthiest person is Luis Carlos Sarmiento, with an estimated wealth of $10.3 billion, controls one third of Colombian banks.
Sport:
The Colombia national football team is overseen by the Colombian Football Federation.
It is currently ranked 17th in the FIFA World Rankings.
The team are nicknamed Los Cafeteros due to the coffee production in their country.
Some of the country’s most famous soccer players include popular players from the 90’s such as Rene Higuita, Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama and Tino Asprilla. Others include some modern day players such as Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, and Juan Cuadrado.
Cycling is also extremely popular in the country due to the very mountainous terrain and has produced great cyclists such as Nairo Quintana, Egan Bernal, and Rigoberto Uran.
Music:
Colombia has traditionally been known for cumbia, a musical style popular in the coastal areas, and vallenato which is more popular in the valleys of eastern Colombia.
Today there's a new generation of Colombian artists that is lighting up the Latin pop scene, led by Latin pop superstars Shakira and Juanes.
Many people are calling Colombia the world capital of reggaeton right now with popular artists such as J Balvin, Maluma, Feid, Manuel Turizo and Karol G all calling the country their home.
Literature:
Gabriel García Márquez’s catalog — at least 24 books, including novels, novellas, story collections and works of nonfiction — runs the gamut from high-octane crime writing and romances to political commentary and historical fiction.
His life was not without controversy. His friendship with Fidel Castro stoked the ire of the F.B.I. and swaths of the left distrusted his intentions.
Although he died in Mexico City in 2014, he remains a mammoth presence in Latin American literature, serving as a litmus test in the region — new generations of writers either pay him tribute or define themselves against his influence.
Others famous authors from the country include Evelio Rosero, Laura Restrepo, Juan Gabriel and Jorge Isaacs.
Traditional Foods:
Bandeja Paisa is a traditional hearty meal usually contains white rice, red beans, ground or minced beef, plantain, chorizo sausage, corn, pork crackling, fried egg, an arepa and usually half an avocado.
Arepas are the most common traditional dish in Colombia and are served as an accompaniment or a snack.
Ajiaco is a white soup made with chicken, a variety of two or three kinds of potato, corn, sour cream and usually white rice and avocado.
Pandebono is a special kind of bread that was actually invented in Colombia’s region of Valle Del Cauca.
Bunuelos are made of white cheese and salty flour and fried until the color turns golden brown.
Chicharron is fried pork belly packed with flavor and served with a crispy texture.
Bocadillo is a delicious Colombian food made with guava paste – a product of a popular tropical fruit. The dish is extremely sweet and a special treat and dessert.
The best thing about fried plantain is its versatility. You could have it savory with breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Or you could caramelize it and have it as a dessert.
Coconut rice is prepared by cooking it in coconut milk or mixing it with shredded coconut.