Colombia Castillo Thermal Shock

Tastes like

Berries, floral, sweet.

Cultivar

Castillo

Castillo is a cultivar designed to produced high-quality coffee that is resistant to coffee leaf rust (la Roya). It's success at achieving this goal has led to it being the most common cultivar in Colombia. Named after researcher Jamie Castillo, the Castillo coffee variety was released for production in 2005. It is the result of the successful hybridisation of Caturra with the Timor Hybrid.

This coffee represents an emerging approach that harnesses innovative processing methods to produce coffee that is both efficient and reliable to grow, and unique and interesting to drink.

Process

Thermal Shock

After an initial oxidation stage, the cherries are pulped dry and undergo a second oxidation to strip the mucilage, followed by thermal shock washing. A 72-hour fermentation with carefully selected yeast cultures unlocks intricate secondary aromas, sealed with a chilling wash to preserve the coffee’s vibrant character. The beans are then gently dried at controlled temperatures to lock in flavour and freshness.

Producer

Jorge Mira, El Jaragual.

Located at 1,500 meters above sea level in the Amalfi municipality of Antioquia, El Jaragual is a 150-hectare family-owned farm managed by Jorge Mira. Nestled in the heart of the Colombian Andes, this region offers the perfect environment for growing high-quality coffee, with rich soil, ample rainfall, and cool mountain air.

Jorge, a forestry engineer by trade, has infused his expertise into El Jaragual, where much of the farm is dedicated to sustainable forestry. Alongside pine plantations for timber, the farm also nurtures seven coffee varieties, including Castillo, Colombia, Pink Bourbon, and Gesha, all grown under plantain shade trees. New cultivars like Typica Mejorado and Sidra are set to join the farm’s lineup soon.

The coffee at El Jaragual is processed with care and precision, using extended fermentation, yeast inoculation, and controlled temperature processes to enhance complex aromas. This careful balance of traditional methods and modern techniques creates a cup that is both unique and full of character—showcasing the best of both innovation and heritage in Colombian coffee.