Colombian coffee is known for its clarity, elegant floral notes, and gentle sweetness. In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn why Colombian beans taste the way they do, which brew methods highlight their strengths, and how to dial in grind size, dose, and water temperature to get the best out of your bag of Calt Coffee Colombia.
Whether you brew filter or espresso, this guide gives you repeatable, barista-level results at home.

Why Colombian coffee tastes different

Most Colombian coffee grows at high altitudes, typically between 1,200 and 2,000 meters. This elevation slows cherry ripening, allowing sugars and aromatic compounds to develop more fully.

Key factors behind the flavor:

• High altitude: slower growth → higher sugar concentration

• Varieties: primarily 100% Arabica

• Processing: often washed, resulting in clarity and clean structure

• Profile: bright but balanced acidity, floral aromas, smooth sweetness, medium body

This combination produces a cup that is expressive without being aggressive. It is why Colombia is one of the most versatile origins for both filter and espresso.

Which brew method works best?

Colombian single-origin coffee performs well across methods, but each one emphasizes different qualities. Below are the three most effective approaches.

Pour-over (V60) — clarity and floral detail

Pour-over brewing highlights Colombia’s elegance and aromatic complexity.

Settings

• Grind: medium-fine (similar to table sugar)

• Dose: 16 g coffee / 250 ml water (1:15–1:16)

• Water temperature: 92–96 °C

• Bloom: 30–40 ml, 30–45 seconds

• Total brew time: 2:30–3:30 minutes

Pouring technique

• Start in the center, spiral outward

• Pour slowly and evenly

• Keep the bed flat

Result
A clean, bright cup with floral top notes and soft sweetness.

Recommended beans: Calt Coffee Colombia — 100% Arabica
https://caltcoffee.com/products/colombia

Filter / Chemex — clean structure with gentle body

The thicker Chemex filter paper produces a very clean cup with a slightly rounder mouthfeel.

Settings

• Grind: medium (slightly coarser than V60)

• Dose: 20 g coffee / 300 ml water (1:15)

• Water temperature: 92–96 °C

• Brew time: 3:30–4:30 minutes

Result
Soft body, subtle florals, and a smooth, lingering sweetness. Ideal for longer drinking moments.

Espresso — concentrated sweetness and depth

Espresso reveals a more rounded, chocolate-leaning side of Colombian coffee while preserving clarity.

Settings

• Grind: fine (finer than filter, not powdery)

• Dose: 18–20 g in the portafilter

• Yield: 36–40 ml (1:2 ratio as a starting point)

• Extraction time: 25–30 seconds

• Tamp: firm and even

Result
A balanced espresso with medium body, soft acidity, and floral-chocolate undertones.
For more intensity, combine Colombia with darker blends like Passion or Calt Energy. For purity, drink it straight.

Quick reference: grind, ratio, temperature

Use this as a practical checklist:

• V60: medium-fine | 1:15–1:16 | 92–96 °C | 2:30–3:30

• Chemex: medium | 1:15 | 92–96 °C | 3:30–4:30

• Espresso: fine | 1:2 (18–20 g → 36–40 ml) | 92–96 °C | 25–30 s

Adjustment rule:

• Too bitter → grind coarser or lower temperature

• Too sour → grind finer or extend extraction

Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

• Water too hot: above 96 °C increases bitterness

• Wrong grind size: adjust per brew method, always grind fresh

• Old coffee: buy whole beans, store airtight, grind just before brewing

• No scale: dosing by eye leads to inconsistency

• Poor espresso timing: adjust grind, not just pressure

Tasting notes and food pairings

Expected profile for Calt Coffee Colombia:

• Aroma: floral, light citrus

• Taste: honey-like sweetness, subtle apple or red fruit

• Body: medium

• Finish: clean and smooth

Pair with:

• Breakfast: croissant, toasted nuts

• Midday: white chocolate or apple pastry

• Dessert: light sponge cake or shortbread

Recommended coffee & next step

Ready to brew? Start with our carefully selected Colombian single origin, roasted fresh to order.

Order here:
Calt Coffee Colombia — 100% Arabica
https://caltcoffee.com/products/colombia

Want to understand how we source and roast our coffees? Read more on our About page.

Final note

Colombian coffee rewards precision. With the right grind, ratio, and temperature, it delivers balance, elegance, and sweetness in every cup. Use this guide as your baseline, adjust one variable at a time, and let the coffee teach you the rest.