You’d Think Coffee Farmers Drink the Good Stuff… But Nope

You’d think that in a country known worldwide for its rich, flavorful coffee, Colombia the locals would be swimming in top-shelf brews every morning. But here’s the twist: most Colombians don’t drink the premium coffee they grow.

I know. That sounds kinda sus.

As someone in the specialty coffee space, this blew my mind the first time I learned about it. How could the very people nurturing those beautiful beans, planting, picking, processing with care, end up drinking what’s essentially… the leftovers?

Let’s dive into this.

Coffee for Export, Not for the Cup

In Colombia, coffee is big business. We're talking national-pride, livelihood-sustaining, multi-billion-dollar-industry big. For decades, the best beans, those smooth, perfectly balanced, specialty-grade Arabicas, have been earmarked for export. Why? Because that’s where the money is.

In simple terms: high-quality coffee is a valuable commodity, and Colombians can earn far more by selling it to roasters abroad than drinking it themselves.

So what do many locals drink instead? Often, it’s something called pasilla, beans that didn’t make the cut. They’re broken, over-fermented, or underdeveloped. Not the stuff we celebrate in third-wave cafes.

Imagine being a world-class chocolatier and only ever eating the rejected truffles.

A Real Conversation That Changed Me

When I started Win Win Coffee, I was obsessed with two things: incredible flavor and meaningful connections.

I remember chatting with one of our Colombian farm partners, Don Hernando, over a crackly video call. I asked him, “What’s your favorite way to enjoy your coffee?” He smiled, kind of shyly, and said, “Actually, I usually drink tinto. It’s what we can afford.”

Tinto is a traditional Colombian coffee drink, strong, black, often made with lower-quality beans and sugar to mask bitterness.

That hit me. This man, whose hands have literally touched the very beans that end up in our customer’s cups, he doesn’t drink the same coffee you and I enjoy from his farm.

That felt wrong. Not just unfair, but like a missed opportunity for celebration.

Why This Matters to You

So why am I telling you this?

Because every cup of coffee tells a story. And when you choose specialty beans from producers like Don Hernando, beans we at Win Win Coffee source with intention, you’re not just sipping something delicious. You’re participating in a different kind of system. One that values quality and dignity.

Specialty coffee is special not just because of its flavor, but because of the care and ethics behind it.

• Traceability. We know where your beans came from, who grew them, how they were processed, and what makes them unique.

• Fair pricing. Your dollars go further, directly supporting farmers who deserve more than just subsistence.

• Flavor that reflects place. Colombian specialty beans have incredible range, from fruity, citrus-forward profiles to chocolatey, nutty comfort cups. You taste terroir, not just caffeine.

Our Rituals Matter

One of my favorite parts of the job is hearing from customers about their morning coffee rituals.

There’s Anna from Austin, who grinds her beans fresh while her dog whines impatiently at the back door. Or Jeremy in Chicago, who treats his Chemex routine like a science experiment, digital scale, gooseneck kettle, timer and all.

Coffee isn’t just about function. It’s about feeling. And that’s why what we put in our cups matters.

When you choose better coffee, you're choosing a better experience, for yourself, and for the people who make it possible.

So... Why Don’t Colombians Drink the Good Stuff?

The truth is, that’s starting to change.

There’s a growing movement within Colombia to reclaim specialty coffee culture for locals. Young baristas and café owners are popping up in Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali, serving third-wave brews made from local beans. Farmers are beginning to taste their own harvests through cuppings, building pride in their product.

It’s slow progress, but it’s beautiful to watch.

And every time you order from Win Win Coffee, you’re helping support that shift, encouraging a future where farmers are not just producers, but also proud consumers of their own excellence.

Final Sip

So next time you brew a cup of our Colombian single-origin, pause for a second.

Remember the hands that picked it. The care behind its process. And the small revolution happening in coffee-growing communities who are finally starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Because coffee should be a win for everyone.

Even the ones who grow it.