Castillo
Castillo is the evolution of Colombia cultivar, significantly improving specialty flavor quality while maintaining high disease resistance — now Colombia's most widely planted variety.
History
Castillo was developed by Colombia's Cenicafé and named after the institute's founder, Jaime Castillo Zapata. Officially released in 2005, it is the successor to the Colombia cultivar, developed through additional backcrossing generations to further improve cup quality.
Flavor Profile
Through years of selective breeding, modern Castillo can hold its own against traditional varieties in specialty competitions:
- Caramel and brown sugar: a pronounced sweet baseline
- Citrus acidity: brighter acid than the Colombia cultivar
- Chocolate: warm cocoa character at medium roast
- Berries: red berry notes in some regional versions
- Medium to full body: satisfying and well-balanced
Regional Versions
Cenicafé has developed multiple region-specific versions:
- Castillo Naranjal: suited for lower altitudes
- Castillo El Rosario: for southern growing regions
- Castillo Paraguaicito: for the central coffee axis region
Growing Information
- Altitude: 1,200–2,000m
- Disease resistance: very high (resistant to leaf rust and Coffee Berry Disease)
- Yield: very high
- Key note: strongly promoted by the Colombian government — currently covers over 45% of national planting area