In Colombia’s west-central Andes, the department of Risaralda is home to a long-standing coffee tradition rooted in smallholder communities. Coffee is typically grown at elevations around 1,500 meters above sea level, where varieties like Castillo, Colombia, and Caturra thrive in the region’s mild temperatures and well-distributed rainfall. Harvest generally takes place from September to December. Coffee production in Risaralda is closely tied to family farming, with plots often passed down through generations. Many producers here are supported by Colombia’s Federación Nacional de Cafeteros (FNC), an institution that plays a central role in providing technical assistance, infrastructure support, and price protection mechanisms to growers throughout the country. The FNC’s presence in Risaralda has strengthened the region’s ability to consistently produce coffee under traceable and quality-focused conditions. Cooperative structures, shared wet mills, and regional warehouses have helped many farming families access international markets while maintaining independence and control over their production. Risaralda is part of Colombia’s UNESCO-designated Coffee Cultural Landscape, and its producers continue to be key contributors to the country’s reputation as one of the most reliable sources of high-quality Arabica coffee in the world.