All About the Antioquia World Coffee Summit

TLDR? If you want to know about Medellin’s coffee economy, the Antioquia world coffee summit will make you a connoisseur.

If you ever visit Medellín, you’ll no doubt encounter the aroma of fresh Colombian coffee drifting through the air. 

Colombians love the caffeinated drink so much they organized an entire world summit around it. The Coffee Summit in Medellín celebrates everything coffee, from production, to taste, to its influence on the economy. 

Read ahead to learn everything you need to know about this event in paisa city! 

Coffee, Colombia’s Star Product

Thanks to the quality and unique flavor of the coffee produced in Colombia, the country’s coffee is widely recognized in international markets and Colombia is one of the largest coffee producing and exporting countries.

Coffee has had a relatively high impact on the Colombian economy, as its one of the main sources of foreign exchange for the country and events are held across the country in the name of celebrating coffee. 

One such event is the Antioquia World Coffee summit, an event created to publicize the important role coffee plays in Colombia. 

Where Will the Coffee Summit Be Held in Medellin?

This year’s Coffee Summit will be held at the Plaza Mayor, a renowned center of international events. Its pavilions will host coffee lovers from cultures from around the world. 

You’ll find the Plaza Mayor in La Candelaria, also known as the comuna 10 of Medellín. 

Getting there is quite simple: if you decided to use public transport, take Metro Line A to the Exposiciones station. After a ten-minute walk, you’ll arrive at the exhibition center. 

There’s also a lot for bicycles and cars in case you’ve got a vehicle of your own. 

Website: http://www.plazamayor.com.co/

Address: Cra. 57 # 41-81, Medellín, La Candelaria, Medellín, Antioquia

About the Antioquia World Coffee Summit

This event will bring together the best of coffee in terms of its areas of marketing, culture, production, and how it influences the local economy.

Antioquia World Coffee Summit will allow us to live experiences of the development of the economic value of coffee that it has had in recent years and will share relevant data on this product with attendees.

The host of the event will be the Antioquia municipality of Concordia. The event aims to recognize the value of the local coffee culture in a scenario that is considered global. Who is in charge of organizing this event is the Government of Antioquia.

The purpose of the Coffee Summit is to provide its audience with a look into the economics of coffee production. You’ll learn about the value of coffee in terms of: 

• Basic economics
• Productive economy
• Service economy
• Experience economy
• Transformation economy
• Inspiration economy.

Guest can also attend events, such as talks about the future of coffee production in the face of climate change. 

The summit seeks to highlight the value of their local coffee culture and teach it worldwide. 

This amazing event is scheduled to take place between September 15th and November 4th, 2022, and you can follow its developing schedule on the event center website. 

Coffee Tours in Medellin

If you’re interested in learning first-hand about the production and history of coffee in Colombia, I highly suggest booking a coffee tour. 

You’ll be able to tour the plants and farm Colombian coffee comes from, and witness every step of its production before it becomes the delicious cup you have for breakfast in a coffee shop. 

Among the best tours to book in the city are: 

1. Colombia Coffee Tour

This tour, held at a typical Antioquian farm, is designed to last between 4 and 5 hours. You can reserve a spot Monday to Saturday at the times provided on the website. 

The Colombian Coffee Tour will teach you how to recognize a good cup of coffee as well as cultivate techniques and processes to create a fantastic cup of your own. You’ll soon understand why this is the best coffee in the world! 

Website: https://colombiacoffeetour.wixsite.com/home

Address: Cl. 9, Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia

2. Urban Coffee Tour

If you’ve decided to take the Urban Coffee Tour, make sure to bring your poncho and your hat! 

Beginning with a tour of commune 8’s La Sierra neighborhood, you’ll get the chance to learn about the city’s evolution through the lens of coffee. 

The tour’s final destination is a beautiful traditional family farm located in the neighborhood’s green area, where you’ll learn about all the cultivation processes, such as harvesting, coffee roasting, and grinding.

Website: https://urbancoffeetour.com/

Address: Cra. 50a &, Cl. 46, Medellín, Antioquia.

3. Artisan Coffee Tours

During the Artisan Coffee Tour, guests visit an Antioquian farm and learn about the history of coffee in Colombia, and the journey from plant to cup. 

If you’re interested in becoming a barista or learning some new coffee techniques, you can take a class on the subject to learn some new tips and tricks! 

Website: https://artisancoffeetour.wordpress.com

Address: Medellín, El Poblado, Medellín, Antioquia.

Make Your Own Coffee Test

If you left the Antioquia World Coffee Summit with high expectations and feel like experiencing all the amazing coffee Medellín has to offer, continue your journey into the world of coffee by taking a java-inspired tour of the city! 

Coffee culture is huge in Medellín, so you’ll see coffee shops everything you go. Many shops produce their own coffee, creating different brands and types. 

I’ve put together some coffee shops for you to test and pick which one you like the best:

• Juan Valdéz: You need to start with the classic! In this renowned Colombian store you can try the volcano coffee, part of the premium selection line.
• Urbania Café: I recommend you add the rosé Bourbon to your coffee test. This coffee comes from Valle del Cauca and contains green tea.
• Café Velvet: With its motto “coffee with a Belgian accent,” I invite you to try Puro Velvet, a blend of coffee containing figs and lemongrass.
• Starbucks: This coffee shop is known for the sweet flavors in its drinks. Try to taste the Espresso Roast produced in the south of Colombia.
• Pergamino: Venture out to try a special edition like the Aponte Honey, produced in southern Colombia, with notes of orange, tamarind, and cape gooseberry, and delicious fruits grown in the country.

After this fun tour, you’ll be able to make your own recommendations, but don’t forget to visit the coffee summit first to improve your judgment!

After the Antioquia World Coffee Summit

This is an event by coffee people, for coffee people, and I’m sure you’ll want a tasty cup of Colombian coffee after attending! 

Luckily, you can find a Tostao cafeteria right inside the Plaza Mayor where you can grab a cup of your own! 

If that’s not good enough for you and you’d rather bring some coffee home, read ahead! 

The Homemade Coffee That You Should Be Encouraged to Try

I’m sure you’ll want to take some Colombian coffee home with you after attending the Antioquian World Coffee Summit. 

You’re in luck: the city is full of tons of brands of homemade coffee, and I’m going to share a few of my personal favorites for you to try on your own.

• Matiz: This brand is ideal for using the traditional drip. It has a high quality, pleasant flavor. 
• Café D’Origenn: Here you can find dark, medium, and light roasts. Each option has a fresh and pleasant aroma. 
• Pergamino: A 100% handmade coffee with a delicious aroma worth trying.
• Juan Valdez: And of course, the renowned Juan Valdez,  with a 100% Colombian flavor that can not be missing.

What You Should Know About Colombian Coffee

If you’re the type of person who likes to learn a bit about the topic of an event before you attend, you’re not the only one. Before going to an event, I like to do a bit of a research – here’s some information on what kinds of topics you can expect to hear about at the Antioquian World Coffee Summit. 

Economy

For many years, coffee has been one of Colombia’s most important export products.

590 municipalities as well as the Andean departments of the country are involved, so the production level is considered quite high. After oil, coffee is the second most valuable commodity in the world.

The crop has become part of the national identity, and is the largest source of employment in Colombia, providing employment to half a million farmers. 

Popularity

Colombia is the third highest-producing country of coffee in the world, ahead of Brazil and Vietnam. Part of what sets Colombia apart is that they only produce high-quality Arabica beans. 

Growing Conditions

The growth of Arabica beans is possible due to Colombia’s climate: perfect for growing coffee. 

On top of that, the soil is nutritious and the rainfall steady, at a high elevation above sea level. All these conditions produce high-quality coffee! 

Taste

After tasting Colombian coffee, you’ll be sure to notice its bright and stimulating aroma and medium levels of acidity. 

The sum of high-quality beans and perfect growing conditions results in a flavor that makes Colombian coffee one of the most popular in the world.

Facing The Climate Crisis

Regarding the coffee year, which runs from October 2021-July 2022, coffee production decreased to approximately 9.9 million bags. This represents 12% less compared to 11.3 million the previous year. All this is due to the adverse climatic conditions that the world finds itself in.

For this and many reasons, the Antioquia World Coffee Summit will touch on issues of the utmost importance, such as climate change and its consequences. 

Coffee Summit in Medellin

Medellin each year is the home of different types of national and international festivals and exhibitions, and the Coffee Summit is just one of so many more 

Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the coffee summit and learn more about the economy of the second most consumed beverage in the world! 

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