Colombia
Jairo Arcila
Santa Monica
1700masl
Pink Bourbon
Natural

Black forest, gravenstein apple, and dark chocolate.

Jairo Arcila is a third-generation coffee farmer from the lush region of Quindío, Colombia. He’s married to Luz Helena Salazar, and together they’ve raised two sons, Carlos and Felipe Arcila, both of whom have gone on to become big names in the specialty coffee world.

Putting in the work: Before diving full-time into coffee farming, Jairo spent over 40 years working as a mill manager for Colombia’s second-largest coffee exporter. He officially hung up his hat in 2019, but retirement didn’t mean slowing down--it meant focusing on his own farms and the craft of producing truly outstanding coffee.

Coffee Brains Trust: These days, Jairo works closely with his sons, who have shared their knowledge and passion for specialty coffee with him. Thanks to their advice, Jairo has fine-tuned everything from picking and sorting to processing and experimentation.

With their support, he’s also ventured into growing exotic varieties like Pink Bourbon, Java, Papayo, and Gesha--each known for its unique flavour and quality. It’s been a real family collaboration, and the results speak for themselves: Jairo’s coffees are bursting with character and complexity.

Who do you think you are, Pink Boubon?: Initially thought to be a hybrid of Red and Yellow Bourbon varieties, recent genetic testing has revealed that the secret to this prized varietal, characterised by its pinkish-red cherries, is that it is in actuality an Ethiopian Landrace.   

Coffee may be at the heart of Jairo’s work, but his farms are full of life beyond the cherry. He also grows mandarin, orange, plantain, and banana, bringing more shade and biodiversity to his land.

When he's not tending to his crops, Jairo enjoys starting his mornings with a big, hearty breakfast--a simple ritual that fuels him for the day ahead. But above all, what matters most to him is spending time with his family--the same people who’ve helped turn his lifelong work into something truly special.