Coffee Producer Highlight: Felipe Arcila of Jardines del Eden
We at Kiss the Hippo are over the moon to be introducing two exceptional new coffees to our Rare & Acclaimed series, both sourced from renowned Colombian producer Felipe Arcila and his farm, Jardines Del Eden.
Felipe, a fourth-generation coffee grower and co-founder of Cofinet, has dedicated his life to cultivating exotic coffee varieties and exploring innovative processing techniques. In this blog, we’re going to delve into the fascinating story behind Felipe's coffee production, his commitment to sustainability, and the distinct characteristics of these extraordinary Sidra coffees.
Farming and Sustainability at Jardines Del Eden
Jardines Del Eden is situated in Quindio, where the unique microclimate, fertile soil and plentiful rainfall create an ideal environment for coffee cultivation. Felipe's deep respect for nature drives him to adopt sustainable practices, such as utilising biodynamic farming methods to enhance soil health and promote biodiversity.
Felipe strives to preserve the farm's ecosystem, including its reliance on water springs and a small waterfall for processing operations, while striving for a low-impact, closed-loop resource system.
Farming and Sustainability at Jardines Del Eden
Jardines Del Eden is situated in Quindio, where the unique microclimate, fertile soil and plentiful rainfall create an ideal environment for coffee cultivation. Felipe's deep respect for nature drives him to adopt sustainable practices, such as utilising biodynamic farming methods to enhance soil health and promote biodiversity.
Felipe strives to preserve the farm's ecosystem, including its reliance on water springs and a small waterfall for processing operations, while striving for a low-impact, closed-loop resource system.
Jardines Del Eden – EF2 Sidra
Tasting Notes: Papaya, Apricot, Orange
Learn about Felipe's meticulous extended fermentation process for this coffee, where the cherries undergo dry aerobic fermentation for 24 hours before being sealed in GrainPro bags for an additional 50 hours.
You’ll notice the impact of these carefully controlled conditions on the flavour profile, resulting in tropical and slightly funky notes of papaya, apricot, and orange.
Jardines Del Eden – Carbonic Maceration Sidra
Tasting Notes: Raspberry, Lime, Jam
Delve into the unique processing method employed for this second Sidra lot: carbonic maceration. You can explore how whole coffee cherries undergo fermentation in a sealed container with the introduction of carbon dioxide gas, creating an anaerobic environment that enhances flavour extraction.
Then, discover the delightful result of this process, as the coffee exhibits a pronounced sweetness, complexity, and intriguing flavour profile of raspberry jam with hints of tropical fruits and citrus acidity.
Q&A with Felipe Arcila
To gain deeper insights into Felipe's coffee production, his sustainability practices and his vision for Jardines Del Eden, we sat down with the producer himself.
Hi Felipe. What inspired you to experiment with extended fermentation and carbonic maceration processes?
The driving force behind experimenting with extended fermentation and carbonic maceration was the constant pursuit to enhance and highlight the unique characteristics of Sidra.
I knew these processes could amplify the flavours and aromas of the coffee, offering a more differentiated and appealing sensory experience for specialty coffee consumers.
How do you ensure the balance between sustainable practices and exceptional coffee quality at Jardines Del Eden?
At Jardines Del Eden, our focuses on sustainability and coffee quality go hand in hand.
We implement responsible agricultural practices, such as proper water management, compost usage and biodiversity conservation on the farm. Moreover, we carefully select the best cherries at the optimal ripeness to ensure quality during harvesting.
This enables us to produce high-quality coffee sustainably, preserving natural resources for future generations.
Can you share any challenges you faced while developing these unique Sidra lots?
Developing unique Sidra lots with extended fermentation and carbonic maceration was no easy task.
One of the major challenges was precisely controlling environmental factors during fermentation, such as temperature and time. These aspects are critical to achieving consistent results and ensuring the desired flavours properly develop.
Additionally, working with innovative methods involved a trial and error process to tailor the techniques to our specific conditions and secure exceptional flavour profiles.
What role do you believe innovation plays in the specialty coffee industry, and how do you see it shaping the future?
Innovation plays a crucial role in the specialty coffee industry as it drives the constant pursuit of quality and diversity in flavour profiles. The introduction of new processing techniques and the exploration of different coffee varieties allow coffee farmers to differentiate themselves in the market and offer unique experiences to consumers.
Furthermore, innovation also plays a key role in sustainability, helping us find more efficient and environmentally friendly ways to cultivate and process coffee. I believe it will continue to shape the future of specialty coffee, leading us to new horizons of quality and sustainability.
What message do you hope your coffees convey to consumers and fellow coffee enthusiasts?
I want my coffees to speak for themselves, conveying the passion and dedication we put into every step of the process. Our Colombian specialty coffee represents the essence of our land, the care in our agricultural practices and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
I hope consumers and coffee enthusiasts appreciate the complexity of unique flavours and aromas in each cup while recognising the effort we put in to ensure exceptional quality and commitment to sustainable, authentic coffee.
Thanks Felipe!
As we eagerly anticipate the release of Jardines Del Eden – EF2 Sidra and Jardines Del Eden – Carbonic Maceration Sidra, we’re in awe of the passion and dedication Felipe Arcila brings to his craft.
Through sustainable farming methods, exploration of processing techniques, and his deep connection to the land, Felipe produces extraordinary coffees that delight the senses and honour the natural beauty of his farm.
We invite you to experience these remarkable Sidra coffees and join us in celebrating the vision and craftsmanship of Felipe and Jardines Del Eden.
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