Our Story

 

The Roasting Raffe Story

Everything began in 1975, when our father, Rafael Robledo, planted his first coffee trees in Vereda Naranjal, Quimbaya, Quindío—part of Colombia’s world-renowned Coffee Cultural Landscape, recognized by UNESCO for its beauty and heritage.

What started as a small cattle farm soon became a sea of coffee trees, with traditional Colombian varieties like Caturra, Castillo, and Variedad Colombia. As children, exploring Finca El Naranjal was pure adventure.

A small spring-fed creek ran through the middle of the coffee fields. Looking back, I realize how fortunate we were to grow up surrounded by nature—the aroma of freshly picked cherries and the sound of clear water running through the fields.

I spent my childhood playing with beans drying under the sun. On rainy days, the coffee was taken to El Silo, a carbon-powered drying machine. Local farmers would arrive with sacks of ripe red cherries, ready to be weighed—the value of their harvest determined by weight and quality.

The coffee process was magical:

  • Depulping: Removing the cherry from the bean

  • Washing & Fermentation: Using the traditional Colombian method

  • Sun-Drying: Or using El Silo if the rain didn’t stop

  • Packing & Transport: In yellow sacks, loaded onto Willys Jeeps, and delivered to cooperatives where graders would pierce the sacks, bite a bean, and set the price on the spot

Though our family farm was eventually sold, the Robledo coffee legacy lives on.

Today, Roasting Raffe continues that tradition—celebrating Colombian coffee heritage while embracing the diversity of the world’s finest origins. We honor our roots in Quindío and beyond, crafting unique blends and single origins that reflect both tradition and innovation.

A New Chapter: Roasting in Colombia

In addition to our U.S. small-batch roasting, Roasting Raffe now toasts coffee in Colombia, partnering with local artisans to provide freshly roasted coffee for restaurants, hotels, distributors, and retailers who value authenticity and excellence.

This expansion allows us to work closer to the source—preserving freshness, supporting local communities, and sharing the authentic flavor of Colombian coffee with those who serve it daily.

Our goal is simple: to bring the world’s best coffee to every table, from local cafés to international retailers, while staying true to our heritage and our commitment to quality.

Why Choose Roasting Raffe

  • Family Legacy Since 1975 – A true coffee story passed through generations

  • Colombian Heritage – Inspired by the UNESCO Coffee Cultural Landscape

  • Selective Global Sourcing – From Colombia to Bali, curating exceptional origins

  • Freshly Roasted in the USA & Colombia – Delivering peak flavor, from farm to cup

  • Partnerships for the Future – Serving restaurants, distributors, and retailers who share our passion for excellence

☕ From the world’s best fincas to your table — taste the tradition, feel the connection, and share the world of Roasting Raffe.