Bogotá: Specialty coffee tasting with local growers

Summary

Meet Bogotá’s coffee makers & taste Colombia’s best brews

You’ll join local growers in Bogotá for a specialty coffee tasting that goes way beyond your usual cup — sampling four brewing methods, learning how origin changes flavor, sharing laughs over fresh empanadas, and discovering new ways to describe what you taste. It’s an experience you’ll remember every time you smell good coffee again.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely sat down at the long wooden table in Bogotá when the first aroma hit me — not just coffee, but something a little sweet, almost like toasted sugar. Camilo, who grew up on a farm near Fusagasugá, grinned and asked if we could guess which brewing method he’d used. I said French Press (wrong), and he laughed, then showed us the Japanese siphon bubbling away like some science experiment. The whole place smelled earthy and bright at once. I didn’t expect to feel this awake before even tasting anything.

We tried four cups — AeroPress, V60, French Press, and that wild siphon thing — each one a little different. Camilo explained how water temperature and grind size change everything. He handed us a flavor chart and told us to pick out memories instead of just flavors. I got stuck between “citrus” and “something like my grandma’s kitchen,” which made everyone laugh. There was this moment where the rain outside got louder against the windows, and for a second it felt like we were all just friends hanging out instead of strangers on a specialty coffee tasting in Bogotá.

Halfway through, they brought out warm empanadas — flaky pastry, still steaming inside — to “reset our mouths,” as Camilo put it (I’m not sure mine needed resetting but I wasn’t going to say no). We tasted two coffees from different origins: one washed process, one honey process. The honey one had this sticky-sweet finish that lingered way longer than I thought it would. I kept thinking about how much work goes into every step — you can actually taste it if you pay attention.

By the end, I realized I’d stopped worrying about saying the right thing or picking out fancy notes; it was more about sharing stories with people who really care about what they do. If you’re curious about Colombian coffee or just want to spend an afternoon with locals who love their craft, this day trip in Bogotá is worth it. Sometimes I still catch myself smelling for that toasted sugar note when I make coffee at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Specialty Coffee Tasting Experience

• Introduction to coffee history
• Taste two coffee origins (washed and honey process)
• Eat baked empanada
• Taste two more coffees (natural and washed process)
• Learn coffee preparation methods (Aero Press, V60, French Press, Japanese Siphon)
• Explore flavor table and sensory attributes

Top questions

How many types of coffee will I taste during the experience?

You’ll taste four different coffees prepared using AeroPress, V60, French Press, and Japanese Siphon methods.

Is food included in the specialty coffee tasting in Bogotá?

Yes, you’ll get a baked empanada during the tasting to prepare your palate for more flavors.

Are all coffees organic and sustainably sourced?

Yes, all coffees are organic and come from sustainable and fair origins.

Is the venue wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible for this experience.

Will there be a local guide or expert present?

Yes, local growers lead the tasting and share their knowledge throughout the session.

What’s included

Your day includes guided specialty coffee tasting with local growers in Bogotá, four cups brewed by different methods (AeroPress, V60, French Press, Japanese Siphon), a fresh baked empanada to enjoy during the session, plus stories behind each cup — all in an accessible location welcoming everyone.