Tablón de Gómez is a municipality in the Nariño Department, characterized by its mountainous landscape, volcanic soil, and cold weather. These conditions are ideal for producing exceptional coffee. The region's unique terroir contributes to the distinct quality and flavor profiles of the coffee produced here.
This coffee is produced by small-scale farmers who own between 1 to 2 hectares of land, situated at altitudes ranging from 1500 to 2000 m.a.s.l.. The farmers primarily grow traditional Colombian varieties, such as Castillo, Variedad Colombia, and Caturra.
Farmers work closely with local associations and cooperatives, which provide support in terms of training, resources, and market access.
Approximately 90% of the farms, mostly located between 1500 to 1900 m.a.s.l., utilize shade-grown coffee production. This system helps create a cooler environment, promoting a slower ripening process for the coffee cherries. This slower maturation leads to more complex and sweeter coffee profiles. The shade trees used in these coffee fields vary, including fruit trees like mandarin and guava, as well as plantain and native trees.
The coffee is harvested with strict ripeness criteria in mind. Then, cherries are floated and hand-sorted to remove any defects. They are de-pulped and fermented underwater for 24 hours. After fermentation, the mucilage is gently washed off, and the coffee beans are placed on raised beds to sun-dry until they reach the ideal moisture content. Due to the frequent rains in the region, the drying process typically takes an average of 20 to 25 days.
