What is the Tabi coffee varietal?

Tabi is a Colombian cultivar developed by Cenicafé through a Typica × Bourbon × Timor Hybrid cross, released in 2002. The name means "good" in the Guambiano language of Colombia's indigenous communities - and the cup quality has generally backed that up.

Unlike Colombia's dominant compact cultivars, Tabi is tall - inheriting this characteristic from the Typica and Bourbon parents. More space required, but more pronounced cherry development and a flavour profile that reflects those traditional genetics. It's associated with sweetness, balanced acidity, and fruit complexity consistent with the Bourbon line, alongside the leaf rust resistance inherited from the Timor Hybrid parent.

Tabi lots appear regularly in Cup of Excellence competition results and premium Colombian offerings. It's less widely planted than Castillo but occupies a respected niche - the kind of variety that specialty-focused Colombian producers choose when they're willing to invest the space and management for better cup quality.