Catación Pública

Catación Pública takes its name from the Spanish for cupping, the professional method of tasting coffee, and that tells you what makes it different from a standard café. It is a coffee business with stores, tasting experiences and laboratories, and its Bogotá base is in Usaquén in the north of the city. The company is led by Jaime Duque, who represents the roaster manufacturer Giesen in Colombia after previously holding its national distribution, and who has taken Colombian specialty coffee to events and fairs abroad.

What sets the place apart is education. The website groups its offer under experiences, workshops and international certifications, and there is a dedicated training route for those who want to learn professionally. Visitors can book a tasting experience to learn how coffee is evaluated, while baristas and coffee professionals can take courses and certifications. The company also runs laboratories in Bogotá and Armenia, offers sensory and physical analysis of coffee samples, and organises custom events and talks.

The website lists opening hours of 9:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Sunday; it is worth contacting the team through the website before visiting, particularly if you want to join a tasting experience, as these need booking. Coffee is sold in 250 g, 340 g and 3 kg bags, along with single-cup packs, and the company ships internationally.

Catación Pública suits travellers who want to go deeper into Colombian coffee than ordering a flat white: coffee enthusiasts, home brewers and anyone considering a visit to the coffee-growing region, since the company also has a base in the Eje Cafetero. It is also a good option for a rainy morning in Usaquén. Allow an hour or more if you join a tasting, and bring questions about processing and roasting, since explaining them is the point of the experience.

The Usaquén store is on Calle 120A near Carrera 3A, close to the old centre of Usaquén and a short walk from the area of the Sunday flea market. Combine a coffee tasting with lunch at Abasto on Calle 118 or with a weekend visit to the market. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are the easiest way to reach Usaquén from Chapinero or the centre.