Colombia – Felipe Arcila

Colombia – Felipe Arcila

Region: Armenia, Quindio

Farm : Jardines del Eden

Farmer: Felipe Arcila

Altitude: 1800 – 2000 m.a.s.l

Varieties: Papayo

Process: Washed

Drying: Temperature controlled raised beds

Cupping notes: Sugarcane, Pineapple, Papaya, and Tae

Cupping score: 89

The story of Jardines del Edén is one of family, long journeys, and drawing inspiration from unexpected places. From the beginning, Jairo Arcila, Felipe’s father and a legendary coffee producer, urged his sons to forgo a life in coffee and pursue a more stable career. Following their father’s advice, Felipe and his brother Carlos set out into the world, eventually landing in Australia to study civil engineering. It was there, in bustling Australian cities—far from the mountains and forests of Colombia—that the brothers witnessed coffee’s global impact. 

At Jardines, the team picks only the ripest cherries, To preserve their freshness, the cherries are transported during the cool early morning hours, a crucial step to prevent overfermentation. Upon arrival, they are first floated in water tanks to remove low density beans. The water used in this stage is recycled for more batches that require floating. Once this water is no longer suitable for usage, it is filtered through a series of specialized tanks before being irrigated into vetiver grass beds and is then released as oxygen. This natural filtration process purifies the water, ensuring no contaminated water is discharged from the processing center and maintaining an environmentally sustainable operation. The cherries undergo a 30-hour underwater fermentation—a critical step that enhances the coffee’s flavor profile. This is a controlled fermentation process as it allows the sugars, organic acids, and other compounds within the cherries to break down gradually, stimulating the development of a delicate yet interesting profile.

Once coffees are washed they are spread out on raised beds in greenhouses. The team monitors them closely to ensure even drying and optimal quality. We aim for 9.5%-11% moisture content. The greenhouse concentrates a temperature range of 20 to 38°C.