Colombian Coffee Man

When I think about Colombia, I think about the remarkable coffee they produce. But what makes Colombian coffee so special? Brazil grows most of the worlds coffee, and even Vietnam and Indonesia produce more than Colombia, but theres something friendly about Colombian coffee, something that makes it more appealing. and that something is "Juan Valdez".

Sporting a Sombrero vueltiao and his 70's porn-star moustache, Juan Valdez is the symbol of Colombian coffee. You may not recognise the name, but we've all seen him somewhere before.

 "Juan Valdez", Man or Myth?

But who is Juan Valdez? Depicted as a hard working farmer with a loving family and a passion for what he does, Valdez is merely the creation of the Colombian coffee industry. A character concocted by the media to separate Colombian coffee from all others by giving it a friendly face. Here is a classic example of Colombian coffee advertisement.

Although the deception of Colombian advertising seems disappointing, we can take solace in the knowledge that the depiction of Juan Valdez successfully gives Colombian coffee a persona like no other. Representing over 500'000 coffee farmers in Colombia, Juan Valdez and his trusty companion "Conchita (the mule)" bring life to Colombian coffee and remind us of the determined farmers that bring us that rich coffee we take for granted. So here's to you Juan Valdez, *raises latte* the friendly face of Colombian coffee in all its forms. I'll think of him every time I want a decent coffee, won't you?

Juan & Conchita Bring Colombian Coffee to Life