South American coffee, like all regions of coffee in the world, has a dedicated following, and a group of people that truly adore the stuff that the region produces. There are a number of different flavors up for grabs, and we love every single one of them.
In this article, we’re going to talk about what makes South American coffee great, and how you can get a little bit of that in your coffee!
The common tasting notes of South American coffee
South American coffees are tremendously well-balanced, compared to some of their international cousins. While there are, of course, differences between coffee produced in different regions of South America, it’s worth noting that coffee from the region is generally considered to be smooth and approachable.
For that reason, it may be the case that South American coffee is some of the first artisanal beans that you brew with. Notably, Colombian coffee is quite popular throughout the world of budget-friendly artisanal blends, and with bright citrus notes, it’s easy to see why.
Coffee beans from the Americas are commonly lauded by their light to medium flavor, not being as strong and intense as some other coffee beans from around the world. The mouthfeel of American beans is typically quite clean, too, since they boast a small amount of non-dissolvable solids in the beans, leading to a smoother cup.
South American coffees, on the whole, exhibit a very slight sweetness in their flavor. This is often accompanied by bright acidity, resulting in a citrussy note being a commonality between different coffees from the region.
The downside of these South American beans is that when poorly brewed, such that the brew is a little more acidic than it could be, the acidity is often exceptionally strong. This strength of acidity could be compared to spiciness, so it’s worth avoiding.
How tasting notes change in different regions of South America
The primary coffee enjoyed from the Americas is commonly Colombian coffee. These beans are prized for how forgiving they can be, offering you a tasty cup even if you’re something of a rookie brewer.
The most common note from Colombian beans is that of fruit and acidity, with different specific roasts claiming notes from lemon to apricot. Because these beans are roasted for consistency, they’re typically all roasted to a similar level, with the result being a consistent toasted chocolate note throughout brews.
A counterpoint to the wonderful flavors of Colombian coffee is the coffee of Panama. The coffee trees that grow in Panama tend to produce coffee cherries that are a little longer and differently shaped. This doesn’t have too much of a direct effect on the beans, though it is an interesting piece of trivia.
Coffee from Panama is generally considered to have that American acidity that’s common throughout different coffees, while also having a floral, herby note to it. This note is sometimes compared to jasmine, and that similarity is evident in many cups.
Drinks and brewing styles suited to South American coffee
A number of different South American coffee brewing styles include using sweetness to doctor the acidity of great South American coffee. This takes many forms, but the most famous form of it is, perhaps, the cafe Cubano.
Cafe Cubano is the name given to several different drinks, though the most famous version of it is brewed in a similar manner to espresso. To the espresso machine, finely ground beans are added and tamped down as with a normal brew. On top of those grounds, there is a layer of brown sugar, which is similarly tamped down across the surface.
As water is pushed through the coffee as part of the brewing process, the sugar on top of the coffee is rapidly dissolved, leading to a sweet, rich cup of coffee that’s beloved throughout the world.
This type of coffee is commonly drunk with dark roast Central American beans, ideally from Cuba.
The cortado is another coffee drink from South America. There are versions of it across the continent, from Cuba to Uruguay. Essentially, the cortado makes use of steamed milk to cut the bitterness of the coffee but in such a small quantity that the drink is still short. Typically, the same quantity of milk and espresso is used in the same drink.
In a number of locations, sugar is also used to sweeten the drink before serving, so that the drink is sweet, rich, and creamy in its entirety. The result is a short, sweet, and creamy drink that’s a potent pick-me-up.
Some exciting South American Coffee Options
Peace Coffee Colombia Single Origin Coffee
This Colombian offering is a great entry coffee into the complex world of South American coffee. We adore the sweet tasting notes that the coffee boasts since it reflects a coffee that has been grown with love and care, especially during the harvest and roasting.
This coffee is also Climate Pledge Friendly, meaning that it suits the sustainability certifications the Amazon set out for all their products.
Kahwa Cuban Coffee Beans
If our description of the wonderful cafe Cubano piqued your interest, then this is the option to go for. These dark roast beans have a powerful, strong, and robust flavor that’s sure to be perfect for making a cafe Cubano in your home.
It’s worth pointing out that this coffee isn’t a single-origin option, meaning that the beans come from around the world. That serves to make it more affordable while still being specially selected for the nature of how Cuban this roast and style is.
Mt. Comfort Coffee
These delicious Peruvian beans boast the citrus notes that we would expect of a South American coffee, while also being entirely single origin: all of the beans in this bag came from the mountainsides of Peru!
To get a truly elegant and refined taste of coffee beans grown in South America, this option is a wonderful choice. You can taste the quintessential nature of South American coffee, with Mt. Comfort bringing those flavors right to you.
Conclusion
South American coffee is among the most popular in the world, and with complex flavor notes, an affordable price point, and robust brewing ability, it’s easy to see why. We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about South American coffee as much as we have!