JAIRO ARCILA

Suitable for Espresso and Filter brewing methods. 
Best as: Filter or Espresso (Black)

Flavour Description: Blackberry Coulis, Vanilla, Rose Florals, Thyme, Caramel

Producer: Jairo Arcila
Farm: Finca Santa Monica
Origin: Quindio, Colombia
Variety: Chiroso 
Process: Washed (30H Extended Wet Ferment)

Q-Score: 88.75

About This coffee:

This coffee was grown by Jairo Arcila at the Santa Mónica farm. The coffee is harvested with strict ripeness criteria, followed by floating and hand-sorting to remove defects. The cherries undergo 30 hours of underwater fermentation before being pulped, after which the parchment is gently washed and dried under temperature-controlled conditions to reach the ideal moisture content. This distinct origin and processing result in a unique coffee with special characteristics, blending traditional cultivation methods with scientific discovery.

This is our first time ever roasting a Chiroso. The sweetness is unparalleled when compared to other varieties. It maintains a lot of natural florality, much like Gesha, but Chiroso tends to lead a little more herbaceous and with a little more body.

Chiroso is a very interesting variety, because the name delineates from a Colombian slang word for 'elongated', which is in reference to the shape of the cherries. Lots of coffees popularised in Colombia have slang words referring to them (Papayo, Ombligon, etc.) Originally Chiroso was referred to as Caturra Chiroso, where it was believed to be the case that Chiroso was a natural mutation of the Caturra variety; but genetic testing later revealed that it was much more closely related to select Ethiopian Landraces, not the bourbon-typica lineage. 

Jairo Arcila, a third-generation coffee grower from Quindío, Colombia, began his journey in 1987 with Finca La Esmeralda and his first Caturra lot. Balancing a full-time role as a mill manager with his passion for coffee, he honed his craft for over 40 years until retiring in 2019. His dedication led to the expansion of his holdings by five additional farms and created essential job opportunities during the harvest season.

Working alongside his wife, Luz Helena Salazar, and their two sons, Carlos and Felipe—who are now co-founders of Cofinet and specialists in specialty coffee—Jairo has elevated his coffee production to new heights. With guidance from his sons, he has refined the picking, sorting, and processing techniques across his farms, now producing exotic varieties like Chiroso, Pink Bourbon, Java, Papayo, and Gesha. Beyond coffee, Jairo's farms yield an array of other crops, and his day starts with a hearty breakfast complemented by his own exceptional brew, all while cherishing time with his family.

Beyond coffee, Jairo’s farms are rich with other crops, including mandarin, orange, plantain, and banana, all of which contribute to the economic vitality of his community. His dedication to quality and sustainability is matched by his commitment to providing jobs during the harvest season, directly impacting the lives of those around him.

Grounded in tradition yet always looking forward, Jairo balances his passion for coffee with a deep love for family, starting each day with a nourishing breakfast and the company of his loved ones.

If you'd like to make Jairo's coffee part of your cafe's seasonal offer list, please feel free to send us a wholesale enquiry here!

To learn more about our partner, Cofinet - click here.