Various smallholders, Jairo Arcila, Shady & Elias Bayter

Jairo Arcila is a third-generation coffee producer based in the Quindío region of Colombia. His career in the coffee industry spans over four decades, most notably serving as the Mill Manager for Racafé, one of Colombia’s largest exporters, for over 40 years until his retirement in 2019. Since purchasing his first farm, Finca La Esmeralda, in 1987, he has expanded his holdings to include properties such as Villarazo, Mazatlán, Santa Mónica, Maracay, and Buenos Aires. His work is deeply intertwined with his family, including his wife, Luz Helena Salazar, and his sons, Carlos and Felipe Arcila, who founded the influential coffee company Cofinet.

Shady and Elias Bayter operate the El Vergel Estate in Fresno, Tolima. The family’s agricultural history began in 1995 with avocado production. Following a significant market downturn in 2006 caused by crop disease, the family, led by their mother Martha, pivoted toward coffee cultivation between 2009 and 2010. This transition required a steep learning curve, leading the brothers to immerse themselves in the technical aspects of pulping and fermentation, often collaborating with industry experts to refine their post-harvest practices.

Both the Arcila and Bayter families are central to the modern Colombian specialty coffee movement, characterized by a shift from traditional commodity production to high-value, experimental processing. Following the volatility of coffee prices in the mid-2000s, these producers diversified their land by planting citrus, bananas, and plantains alongside coffee. This strategy not only provided economic stability but also created a unique ecosystem that influences the flavor profiles of their coffee crops.

In practice, these producers are renowned for their mastery of controlled fermentation. Jairo Arcila, supported by the expertise of his sons, has become a leader in experimental techniques, including co-fermentation. This process involves adding ingredients—such as strawberries, peaches, or other fruits—during the fermentation stage to impart distinct, vibrant notes to the final cup. These methods have resulted in highly sought-after lots featuring complex profiles like rum, vanilla, and tropical fruit.

For the roaster and the drinker, this tag represents a commitment to transparency and innovation. The Arcila and Bayter families utilize their deep knowledge of processing to push the boundaries of what specific varieties, such as Pink Bourbon, Gesha, Java, and Castillo, can achieve. By controlling variables like temperature and fermentation duration, they produce consistent, high-scoring coffees that challenge traditional expectations of Colombian flavor profiles.

Today, these producers stand at the intersection of tradition and modern agricultural science. Their work is frequently featured in transparency reports and specialty coffee offerings globally, serving as a benchmark for how smallholder-led innovation can elevate the value of a harvest. Their legacy is defined not just by the coffee they grow, but by their role as stewards of the land and pioneers in the evolving landscape of specialty coffee production.