Colombian Coffee

[TheFlyingPreacher]

Question for y'all...

 

My wife and I will be stopping in Cartagena in a few weeks on our Panama Canal cruise and we are looking to buy some coffee to give as Christmas presents this year. Does anyone know if we are allowed to bring it back into the States with us? If so, anyone have an idea on the cost to buy it?

 

Thanks.

[globalwife]

Yes, you can bring coffee back into the states as long as it is packaged. The price will vary depending in the brand and quality.

[TheFlyingPreacher]

Is there a particular place that you or anyone else recommends to buy it from?

[GradUT]

Are you going on a guided tour of Cartegena (which I highly recommend)? If so, your guide will have some suggestions of where to buy coffee and how much you should expect to pay.

As I recall, our guide recommended a seller near the Cathedral.

[TheFlyingPreacher]

Are you going on a guided tour of Cartegena (which I highly recommend)? If so, your guide will have some suggestions of where to buy coffee and how much you should expect to pay.

As I recall, our guide recommended a seller near the Cathedral.

 

Yes, there are several of us from CC who are going on a tour with Dora. I'll be sure to ask on the day to see what are the best options.

[pilotdane]

If you are doing a private tour ask your guide to take you to a locals grocery store. My wife loves all the interesting foods and the low prices. If on a packaged tour most seem to include at least one shopping stop where you should be able to buy coffee from the tourist vendors. And, if you make it back to port and forgot to buy coffee there is a nice gift shop right at the port where you can buy.

 

Truthfully though you can buy most Colombian coffees here in the USA (though that's not as much fun). A good place to check is Compare Foods if they have a store near you but I am sure there are other similar grocery stores around the country.

[Keith1010]

As others have said you can bring it back to the USA.

 

I would take the suggestion of pilodane and try to get it at a local grocery store where locals shop. Coffee at the pier is quite expensive.

 

If you stop in Costa Rica we did much better on prices there and thought the coffee was quite good.

 

Keith

[pilotdane]

Also consider what type of coffee you want. To me Colombian coffee has a more bold, complex, robust flavor. Great for after dinner or a special occasion when you want something that can stand out. Costa Rican coffees tend to be more neutral and less acidic and make great everyday coffee or for someone who finds the flavors of Kenyan & Colombian a bit too much. But like coffee everywhere there can be great variation.

 

If you take any coffee plantation tours while on your trip see if you can purchase some unroasted beans to bring home. If you have never had freshly roasted (like 24 hours after roasting) you will be in for a treat. The aroma and very subtle flavors are incredible.