Castillo

Colombia's rust-resistant workhorse, released by the national research center Cenicafé in 2005.

Castillo was released in 2005 by Cenicafé, Colombia's coffee research center, to fight leaf rust. Its family includes Caturra and the Timor Hybrid, a natural cross with robusta that carries rust resistance. After a rust epidemic hit Colombia around 2010, it was planted on a huge scale and is now one of the country's most common varieties.

Specialty buyers once doubted its cup, but well-grown Castillo is sweet and balanced, with chocolate, caramel and citrus, and it often appears in good Colombian lots.

From
Cenicafé, Colombia (2005)
Bred for
Leaf rust resistance
Known for
Chocolate, caramel, citrus
Signature notes
milk chocolate, caramel, brown sugar
Origins
Colombia (122)
Processes
Washed (73), Co-fermented (16), Experimental (15), Anaerobic (7), Natural (5), Honey (2)
Flavors
Caramel & sugar (54), Chocolate (50), Citrus (47), Red fruit (39), Berry (37), Stone fruit (35), Tropical (30), Floral (15)
Elevation
1475–2000 m (median 1750 m)

Roasters that carry it most

In stock

Past coffees

All varieties