Two decades ago, Darron J. Burke, founder of Burke Brands Inc., moved to South Florida from New England in search of adventure. In Miami he became interested in Latin culture, and soon met his future wife, Eliana. Eliana was born and raised in Colombia, South America, by an extended family of coffee growers and roasters, and came to the U.S. in search of an opportunity. The relationship flourished, and it wasn’t long before Eliana persuaded Darron to visit her home country.

Once in Colombia, surrounded by Eliana’s family and friends, Darron was immediately struck by the beauty of the country’s lush green mountains, fertile valleys, its vibrant cities, and its friendly and welcoming people. The couple spent much of the trip on coffee plantations and in roasteries, and Darron quickly developed an affinity for coffee. When given his first cup of fresh, medium-dark roasted coffee, he was taken aback by how delicious and different it was from the coffee that was available back in the U.S. On the trip, Darron fell in love with great coffee, Latin culture, and of course his wife-to-be, Eliana.

Through the years, The Burkes went back and forth to Colombia, bringing the country’s popular coffee brands back to their family and friends in the States; the more they brought, the more they wanted. Darron and Eliana recognized an opportunity and began to learn as much as they could about coffee. The Burkes travel to several Latin American coffee growing countries such as Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico, to gain experience, buy coffee, and forge relationships with coffee producers.

The nick name “Pablo” was given to Darron by his wife’s family. As Spanish speakers, they were unable to pronounce his first name properly, and considered it a tongue twister. The topic of tongue twisters was brought up over dinner one day with the entire family, and Burke took a stab at a humorous one, the subject of which was a hapless character named Pablo. The mood was right, the tongue twister was funny, and Burke’s pronunciation and Spanish accent was so far off, it brought down the house. Darron immediately became known as “Pablo” among family and friends, and after purchasing and wearing the Cafetero’s hat, as seen in the logo, everyone began to call him “Don Pablo.”

Growing and roasting the finest, freshest, most delicious coffee possible for all of their valued customers is a passion the Burke's share with several family members and many close friends. Please let them know if you would like to try some of their fine coffee.