Pablo Cordoba grew up around coffee farming, but for many years pursued other crops in search of better economic opportunity. In 2016, he returned to coffee, partnering with our export partner, Toldopamba, which connects farmers in the Santafé community with the specialty market and rewards higher-quality lots with commensurate prices. Motivated by this, Pablo began experimenting to maximize quality across his six-hectare farm. By dividing the farm into single-variety plots, Pablo harvests each variety separately, gaining valuable insight into how different cultivars perform within his unique microclimate. 

He also experiments with processing, employing an extended underwater fermentation method that intensifies fruit flavors while limiting the risk of souring through over-fermentation. Pablo shares these findings with neighboring farmers, raising the standard for quality across the region, and coordinates coffee transportation for his community — ensuring they receive the quality premiums they deserve from Toldopamba.

Toldopamba Coffee, founded by Carlos Torres Burbano and Angela Patiño Findlay, supports smallholder coffee producers in Nariño by helping them improve coffee quality, adopt more sustainable agricultural practices, and access premium prices. We source high-quality regional blends for our Year-Round products and premium lots, such as Pablo Cordoba’s and those from the Santafé group, for our single-origin menu. Toldopamba’s high level of traceability and quality control has allowed us to hone in on some of the most exceptional producers in this region over time, and offer our customers some of the best coffees Nariño has to offer.