Colombia is world-renowned for amazing coffee, often with notes of chocolate, caramel, berries, and spices. But because the country produces so much coffee, it can be hard to pinpoint the good stuff from this coffee powerhouse. We did the hard work for you and taste-tested six different Colombian coffees to let you know which are the best and which to avoid.
Best Overall: Lucalum’s San Roque
Lucalum’s San Roque consists of the best beans from coffee producers in the San Roque Association. The flavor is cherry-forward with more subtle chocolate notes and a punchy, fruity aftertaste. It’s an all-around great light-roasted Colombian coffee that would also blend well with darker roasts. This was our pick for the best Colombian coffee in our selection.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters Narino Borderlands
Originally known as Moreno beans, Stumptown was one of the first American companies interested in coffee from Narino’s countryside. Today many third-wave producers serve premium Narino coffee. This is a strong coffee overall, containing notes of citrus and fruit with traces of toast, floral malt, and honey. It’s a light, juicy roast with a viscous medium body. A bit on the expensive side, but a very good coffee.
Cafe Altura
Founded with a vision of coffee sustainability, quality, care for farmers, and love for the environment, Cafe Altura sources all their coffee from family-owned farms and gently roasts to retain unique flavors. Aside from strong hints of chocolate and fruit giving it a rich flavor, its complexity is minimal. The acidity is relatively high but balanced by a creamy medium body. Packaged in a two-pound container, this coffee suits everyday drinking. We rated it 3.5 stars out of 5.
Eight O’Clock Colombian Peaks
By the 1930s, Eight O’Clock had emerged as the top coffee brand in America — one in every four coffee cups consumed. It remains a best-seller and the fourth-biggest national coffee brand by volume. The flavor starts with traces of fruit and bright, unburnt flavors. The mellow taste is consistent yet bold with a medium body. However, a peppery taste is a bit of a distraction. Similar quality to Jim’s Organic — not bad, but not outstanding.
Jim’s Organic Colombian
Sourced from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an extremely picturesque mountain area overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this is a medium-to-dark roast with hints of cherry and dark chocolate. The cherry taste comes across as slightly harsh and even a little burnt, with a wood-like aftertaste. It’s also a bit bitter. The body varies between medium and full. Jim’s is okay overall, and may be worth trying if organic certification is important to you.
Least Favorite: Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Colombian
Although from a long-standing and innovative brand, this was our least favorite pick. It features a dark medium roast with a leathery, earthy character that was slightly harsh on the palate with a woody aftertaste. The drink is also noticeably bitter. There are more worthwhile alternatives to try, most of which are cheaper too.
The Bottom Line
For the best Colombian experience, start with Lucalum’s San Roque for a light-roasted option that highlights Colombia’s fruit-forward potential. Stumptown’s Narino Borderlands is worth the premium if you want something more complex. For everyday drinking, Cafe Altura offers solid quality at a reasonable price.
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