Colombia's biggest export in the international market is, as you may have guessed, coffee. You can find coffee just about everywhere: big franchises such as Juan Valdez, small independent shops such as Jesus Martin, small tiendas (shops) that sell daily groceries... even people walking down the streets with thermoflasks are there to sell you a simple black coffee (or, in the local lingo 'tinto').
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=> When you order a coffee in Colombia, you should ask for:
1. Black Coffee = Un Tinto
2. Coffee with milk = Un Café
3. Coffee with a drop of milk = Un Perico
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Unfortunately for those visiting Colombia expecting a cup of the smoothest, most delicious brew they've ever tried, Colombia leaves its own people with a lesser selection of Colombian beans, exporting the best to Europe, Japan and the US.
This isn't to say, however, that it's impossible to find a good cup of joe, a little hard work and you'll find yourself supping happily in a neat little cafe served by its own farm. One such example is the aforementioned Jesus Martin, which can be found in Salento. Here they pick their own beans, process it themselves, and give you a variety of options of ways to drink your coffee.
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Juan Valdez and Oma, the most ubiquitous of the chains, offer a good selection of coffees and are of good quality, but those seeking something distinct from Costa or Starbucks may find themselves disappointed.
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=> If it's the process of coffee-making you're interested in, the appropriately named Coffee Region is the area to head for, and in particular Salento. Here you'll find access to myriad coffee farms where you can take tours and find out how coffee is made, from the first bean to the cup that you drink.
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