Castillo

Castillo is a rust-resistant Caturra × Timor Hybrid composite released by Colombia's coffee research centre Cenicafé in 2005 and named after researcher Jaime Castillo Zapata. After leaf rust threatened Colombian production, the Federation drove a massive replanting toward Castillo and the earlier 'Colombia' variety. Blind cuppings have shown well-grown Castillo can match Caturra in quality, and it now covers a large share of Colombia's coffee land.

At a glance

• Scientific name: Coffea arabica (Cenicafé composite)
• Parent varieties: Caturra, Timor Hybrid
• Identified: 2005
• Flavor: Clean, sweet, balanced; quality much improved over early hybrids.
• Aroma: Sweet, mild fruit.
• Disease resistance: High (rust)
• Cup potential: Good to high