Colombia | El Tablón, Washed
Regular price €12,00Colombia
Region: Nariño, El Tablón
Producer: Cafés Especiales de Nariño cooperative smallholders
Taste notes - Apple, toffee, chocolate cookie.
This Colombian lot is grown in the Nariño region, where surrounding volcanoes still enrich the soil with ash, filled with rich minerals. The cup profile delivers malic acidity combined with a smooth body and caramel notes in the aftertaste.
Region
Nariño, located in southwestern Colombia, is renowned for producing some of the finest specialty coffees, and its unique geographical features play a significant role in shaping the coffee's distinct qualities. With farms situated between 1,800 and 2,300 meters above sea level, the high elevation contributes to a slow ripening process, allowing coffee beans to develop complex flavors and enhanced sweetness. The region's proximity to the equator ensures consistent sunlight, while its cool climate and frequent rainfall present challenges that farmers have adapted to. Coffees in Nariño typically take 20 to 25 days to dry, reflecting the skill and patience required in the production process. Nariño coffees are prized for their sweetness, bright acidity, and balanced body. The flavor profile often includes citrus, caramel, red fruits, and spices, with variations depending on the micro-region and processing methods.
Cafés Especiales de Nariño cooperative
Cafes Especiales de Nariño Cooperative is an organization that brings together 58 local farmers who are dedicated to producing high-quality specialty coffees. These producers often have plots of just a few hectares each, making it vital for them to band together to improve access to resources, training, and markets. Forming a cooperative helps farmers enhance coffee quality, secure better prices, and improve their livelihoods. Though the cooperative may not focus heavily on innovative social projects, its strength lies in maintaining high coffee standards and supporting local farmers through collective efforts. For coffee drinkers, this means that enjoying a cup of Nariño is not just about savoring rich flavors like caramel and orange but also supporting a community of dedicated farmers who work in challenging yet rewarding conditions. The coffee is a reflection of the region's unique environment, tradition, and expertise.
Processing
Coffee cherries are harvested by smallholders and delivered to the cooperative's processing facility. There, the cherries are sorted and washed in water, where the so-called "floaters" are separated from the crop. Afterward, the coffee is pulped, and the beans are fully washed. Then, the coffee beans are dried for more than 20 days until they reach their target moisture level. After that, this coffee lot is hulled, separating green coffee from its protective parchment. In the end, coffee is packed in 70 kg bags and shipped.