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At that time, Japan only consumed 100,000 coffee
bags a year, but now it imports over 7 million bags. He said he
would like to see Chinese consumers focusing on coffee quality
like they focus on wine quality. China is the largest importer of
high-quality wine. He thinks the Chinese are quite demanding
for wine, and he would like them to keep this attitude for coffee.
Roberto emphasized that Chinese consumers take
quality as the most important thing. That’s why the FNC has
chosen China as the most important coming market.

Pioneer of instant coffee quality and quantity
To know further about the FNC, we must start with
th
the most consumed product, instant coffee. On January 27 ,
we visited Buencafé, which is the largest instant coffee factory
processing Arabica coffee.

Buencafé, a supplier of instant coffee products
In many people’s minds, instant coffee equals to low
quality. Before this trip, I agreed with that as well. Based on ICO’s
statistics, Asian countries, South Korea as the most, account for Spray-Drying
over 20% of instant coffee global consumption. But Buencafé is The coffee liquid is sprayed out into mist. Under high
famous for its high-quality freeze-dried coffee. heat, water is steamed and removed, and only the soluble coffee
Buencafé has been producing freeze-dried coffee for powder is left. However, because of the high-heat environment,
over 42 years. Its production capacity is 11,500 tons and its most of the special sensorial attributes are also gone with the
products are exported to over 60 countries around the world. steam.
Buencafé also makes products for other freeze-dried coffee
brands. Freeze-Drying
Besides freeze-dried coffee, Buencafé is also a reliable provider The other way is freeze-drying. In this way, coffee can
for makers of 3-in-1 coffees, RTD coffee drinks, desserts and keep flavor up to 30 months. At the Buencafé factory, I had the
ice creams. As we know, Colombia has the largest freeze-dried chance to witness the whole process. Flavor and aroma of instant
Arabica coffee factory. coffee extracted in this way are very close to freshly brewed
As part of the FNC branches, Buencafé also benefits coffee, no matter your mouth feel or taste. The factory produces
from the scientific research and technological developments by instant coffee sleeplessly all year round.
Cenicafé, which is the R&D arm of the FNC. Cenicafé works on:
1. Development and improvement of new coffee varie-
ties (breeding).
2. Optimization of production through arrays of coffee
plantations and good agricultural practices.
3. Weather forecast and environment protection.
4. Development of eco-friendly equipment for coffee
processing.
In addition, Buencafé has its own R&D department for research
and development on new products, packaging and experi-
menting.

Uncovering the veil of instant coffee
As for freeze-dried instant coffee, we didn’t know there
was so highly advanced technology. Fortunately, we had the
chance to know it with the FNC.

Pre-process
In the pre-process, the foreign matters are removed.
During roasting, the chemical compounds of coffee beans react
with each other and give off the complex scent. After grinding,
coffee is extracted by hot water under pressure. The resulting
extract is dried to get instant coffee powder. There are two
methods for the drying stage.

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