Quito's Chocó Andino Coffee Is Conquering Europe — And Putting Ecuador on the Specialty Map

You probably think of Colombia or Brazil when you think of South American coffee. Ecuador wants to change that — and Quito is leading the charge.

The Story

Coffee cultivated in the Chocó Andino — a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located in the cloud forests northwest of Quito — is gaining serious traction in European specialty coffee markets.

The Chocó Andino encompasses parishes including Nanegalito, Nanegal, Gualea, Pacto, and Nono, situated at elevations between 1,200 and 2,800 meters on the western slopes of the Andes. This altitude range, combined with rich volcanic soil, consistent cloud cover, and abundant rainfall, creates ideal conditions for growing high-quality Arabica coffee.

Local cooperatives and small-scale farmers have been producing coffee here for generations, but it's only in recent years that the region's output has caught the attention of European importers and specialty roasters looking for single-origin beans with distinctive flavor profiles.

Why Chocó Andino Coffee Stands Out

The region's unique microclimate produces beans with characteristics that specialty buyers prize:

• High altitude = slow maturation, which concentrates sugars and develops complex flavors
• Shade-grown under native canopy, which protects biodiversity and produces a smoother cup
• Volcanic soil rich in minerals that add depth to the flavor profile
• Low-input farming — many producers use organic or near-organic methods, which appeals to European sustainability standards

The coffee has been described by tasters as having notes of chocolate, citrus, and tropical fruit — a profile that aligns with current trends in European specialty markets that favor bright, complex coffees over the traditional dark-roast palate.

Ecuador's Coffee Moment

Ecuador is one of the few countries in the world that grows both Arabica and Robusta coffee, as well as the rare Nacional variety — a fine-flavor bean native to Ecuador. Coffee exports have been growing alongside the country's better-known agricultural products (bananas, cacao, shrimp, and flowers).

The Chocó Andino designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2018 added environmental credibility to the region's products. For European buyers increasingly focused on sustainability certifications and origin stories, "coffee from a UNESCO biosphere reserve near Quito" is a compelling narrative.

The Quito municipal government has been actively promoting the Chocó Andino's agricultural products as part of its broader strategy to position the capital as more than just an urban center — emphasizing its connection to surrounding rural communities and biodiversity.

What This Means for Expats

• Try it locally. Several specialty coffee shops in Quito now feature Chocó Andino beans. Ask for "café del Chocó Andino" at roasters in La Floresta, González Suárez, or the Historic Center
• Day trip opportunity. The Chocó Andino is a 90-minute drive from central Quito via the road to Nanegalito. Several farms offer tours, tastings, and direct purchases. It's one of the best day trips from the capital — combining cloud forest birding with coffee culture
• Investment angle. Agricultural tourism in the Chocó Andino is still early-stage. For expats interested in rural tourism ventures, this is an area with real growth potential
• Ecuador's export diversification is good for everyone. Every new product that earns foreign currency strengthens the dollarized economy that expats depend on. Coffee may never rival bananas or shrimp in volume, but high-value specialty exports punch above their weight in economic impact

Source: Quito Informa