Coffee People: Jairo Ramírez
Jairo Ramírez, Authorized SCA Trainer and Q Grader, coffee processing and quality consultant. Four questions — everything the industry rarely stops to hear.
Coffee people.
The Better Coffee Standard defines it precisely: everyone whose life and work are bound to coffee, at every stage of the coffee circle — including those working under coercion, economic dependency, or without pay. Their families. Those who keep them standing.
Read more in the free The Better Coffee Standard.
The industry never stops talking about coffee. It rarely stops to talk about the people behind it. Red Ink Coffee exists, in part, to change that.
Coffee People is a series of portraits. Four questions — their voices.
Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
My name is Jairo Ramírez. I am a Food Engineer and specialist, currently working as an Authorized SCA Trainer (AST) for all educational modules of the Coffee Skills Program and Sustainability, as well as the Q Grader program. Additionally, I serve as a consultant in specialty coffee processing and quality control.
Tell us about a moment in your work with coffee that you're genuinely proud of.
One of the moments I am most proud of in my work is seeing the people I coach win national and international awards. Seeing the pure joy on their faces when they succeed is incredibly rewarding. I am fortunate to consult both producers aiming for top-tier quality and baristas preparing for high-level competitions.
What's one problem you see in your part of the coffee world — and why does it matter to you personally?
One of the most prominent issues in my sector is political corruption and how heavily it impacts coffee production and commercialization. It directly prevents funding and vital resources from fully reaching the producers. Furthermore, it creates major bottlenecks with certain countries in international trade due to growing market distrust.
What would you change if you could — and what would better look like for you?
I believe that driving change is always achievable since we constantly learn from our mistakes. For me, a better future would mean having the capacity to provide an immediate, optimal response to every single producer and coffee professional who reaches out for my help.
You are coffee people. Tell us.
Four questions. Any language. Any format.
- Who are you and what do you do in coffee?
- A moment you're genuinely proud of.
- One problem in your part of the coffee world — and why it matters to you.
- What would you change — and what would better look like?
Include a short bio and a photo from your work environment. Send your answers to redinkcoffee@thebettercoffee.org
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