Tastes like: Strawberry, Red Apple, Panela
Santa Monica | Region: Quindio, Colombia | Varietal: Castillo | Processing: Red Fruit Co-ferment | Altitude: 1400-1550 MASL
Our average cupping score: 86.88
Why This Coffee Stands Out
Grown on Jairo Arcila’s farm Santa Monica, this exceptional micro-lot underwent a 48-hour dry anaerobic fermentation—infused with strawberry pulp to enhance its natural vibrancy. After fermentation, the coffee was gently washed and dried on raised beds at temperatures below 35°C, ensuring a slow, even process that preserves its delicate structure and complexity.
This lot is composed entirely of the Castillo variety, developed by Colombia’s Federación Nacional de Cafeteros. Known for its high productivity and resistance to coffee leaf rust, Castillo retains the cup quality of traditional varieties while offering greater resilience.
The result is a coffee with lively fruit-forward notes, a refined sweetness, and the unmistakable craftsmanship of Jairo Arcila’s meticulous processing.
About the Producer:
Jairo Arcila, a third-generation coffee grower from Quindío, Colombia, brings decades of expertise to every harvest. Married to Luz Helena Salazar (whose coffee we featured as one of our first Rising Tide offerings!) and father to Carlos and Felipe, Jairo’s career began with a job as Mill Manager at one of Colombia’s largest exporters, where he stayed for 40 years before retiring in 2019. Today, with guidance from his sons who are now specialty coffee experts, he has refined his craft, perfecting selective picking, meticulous sorting, and innovative processing methods.
On his sun-drenched farms, Jairo cultivates exotic varieties like Pink Bourbon, Java, Papayo, and Gesha, each delivering distinct, vibrant flavors. Beyond coffee, his land yields mandarins, oranges, plantains, and bananas, enriching the biodiversity of his fields.
Price Transparency:
Price transparency matters because many coffee farmers earn less than their production costs.
What We Paid (Farmgate + Export & Import): $11.50/lb | FLIRP (Fairtrade Living Income Price): $2.75/lb | Commodity (NYSE coffee price): $3.58/lb
Currently shipping coffee roasted on Jan 15th 2026.
Our light roasts develop their best flavors after 2-3 weeks, peak around 4 weeks, and remain delicious for longer. For extended freshness, consider freezing the coffee to preserve its quality even longer.
