Your Organic Guide to Medellín
My time in Colombia has naturally been spent sampling all the local food. After all, to get a taste of a country, you need to literally get a taste. However, during my culinary feast, I’ve begun to wonder how easy it is to find specialty or dietary-specific foods in the city. In North America and Europe, things like organic produce are relatively easy to find – but what about here?
I assumed that demand for organic food is relatively low, and after some research, discovered I was correct – even though Colombia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, in Latin America alone, its organic market lags behind Brazil, Argentina and Mexico. The difficulty is, Colombia doesn’t have an official certification for organic foods in the same way that the USA or UK does, so there’s no way to really know if something is organic. Nonetheless, there are certain spots around Medellín that are likely to sell – and even grow – organic foods. Here’s the lowdown on eating and drinking organic in the City of Eternal Spring.
Cafes
Urbania
Calle 8 # 43B-132, El Poblado
Describing themselves as a “socially and environmentally responsible company”, Urbania only works from a grain-to-cup ethos, supporting small, local coffee farmers. They’re best known for their ‘Café Calima’, which is cultivated without agrochemicals and in soil derived from volcanic ash – making the taste phenomenal and the process 100% organic.
Rituales
Circular 74A #39B-22, Laureles
Working in partnership with an Antioquia coffee farm, Rituales proudly serves three different types of coffee – Pureza, Luz and Paraíso – all grown under completely natural conditions. The coffee is transported to Medellín where the beans are ground above the Rituales café and served daily. Rituales also holds roasting classes and barista courses for those serious about sustainability and sabor.
Betty’s Bowls
Carrera 32D #7A-77, El Poblado
A newcomer to the organic scene, Betty’s Bowls also has three types of coffee on offer, all of which are organic and single-origin, from beans matured without the use of pesticides. What’s more, in support of their culture of sustainability, the restaurant only uses biodegradable cutlery.
Restaurants
El Cielo
Carrera 40 # 10A-22, El Poblado
An iconic place to eat in Medellín, El Cielo is fine-dining at its best. Since its opening in 2006, the restaurant has been using organic, fair trade products in its experimental dishes and sensory experiences. Even the décor of El Cielo reflects its values – the plants, leather and wood are all reminiscent of traditional Pasia farms.