Over the years, I have discovered a certain magic in pairing a handcrafted cigar with a cup of coffee. The bittersweet notes infused in the tobacco are key when complementing the earthy aroma of the coffee beans. They naturally enhance each other, as if they were made to be enjoyed together. It's a ritual that I've grown to cherish because it is a moment of peace, savoring life's simplest pleasures. During these quiet moments, time seems to stop, becoming smoother and more meaningful.
However, this harmony of the senses doesn't begin when the cigar and coffee reach the Villiger Miami lounge. It commences much earlier, at the source of their cultivation. In Latin American countries such as Nicaragua, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia, the fertile soils that nurtures tobacco and coffee beans create a natural synergy. These countries are blessed with the perfect climate and are rich with Earth's minerals, providing the ideal environment for both crops to grow. Coffee and tobacco are rooted in the same fertile soil and blossom in a delicate balance. Coffee beans flourish at higher altitudes with moderate rainfall, while tobacco leaves thrive in the sunlight at lower altitudes. This shared environment provides the taste palette with a distinct flavor profile for the tobacco and the coffee. The delicate craftsmanship of local farmers, perfected over generations, ensures both crops grow with care and precision. This timeless connection made by Earth is why cigars and coffee feel so natural to the senses.
In Nicaragua, tobacco and coffee stories originate deep within the volcanic soil. The Central American land's climate defines tobacco and coffee's rich flavor profiles. Brazil's landscapes, ranging from the Amazon Rainforest to the sun-kissed plains, offer the ideal climate conditions for cultivating tobacco and coffee. This blend of diverse ecosystems allows them to produce tobacco and coffee with a unique aroma and sweetness that matches the essence of its land.
Similarly, The Dominican Republic offers a unique flavor embracing its Caribbean climate and mineral-filled soils. This earthly combination produces smooth and balanced coffee and tobaccos that encapsulate the heart and soul of the Dominican Republic.
In contrast, my home country, Colombia, takes pride in its rich coffee heritage. The fertile highlands where the yellow butterflies flutter their wings in the sky provide the perfect conditions for nurturing coffee with love. With each sip of Colombian coffee, every time I light up a cigar, my senses remind me of the deep connection I will always share with Colombia no matter where I go next.
The tobacco farmers in the Caribbean say, “What grows together goes together.” This philosophy impacts me a great deal each time I indulge in the beautiful pairing of tobacco and coffee, which is a testament to the complex yet harmonious relationship of the crops on Earth.
The experience is a celebration of nature's gifts and the cultural traditions that influence us, reminding me that whether in the breathtaking highlands of Colombia or the vibrant fields of the Caribbean, the essence of these plants reflects the diverse nuances of life.
