Colombia San Miguel Castillo

Francy Elena Rivera Quiñonez began helping her husband on their coffee farm in central Cauca 13 years ago. In 2017, with hopes of increasing opportunities for her family, Dona Francy acquired her own one-hectare plot of land, San Miguel. She restored the land and began planting coffee, eventually producing enough to sell it on her own. The additional income from her farm has allowed the family to build a home and invest in an education for their son.

This lot is a selection of Castillo cherries, a variety that is resistant to coffee leaf rust and was introduced to Colombian farmers in 2005 — it is now the most commonly planted variety in the country. Over time, smallholder producers like Dona Francy have helped improve the quality perception of Castillo by selectively picking only the ripest, deep-red cherries and processing the coffee with meticulous care.

Shot specs: 18g in / 46-48g out / 33-35 seconds

The Colombia San Miguel Castillo, sourced by Intelligentsia Coffee, represents a focused look at the agricultural output of the Cauca region. Produced by Francy Elena Rivera Quiñonez, this lot highlights the potential of the Castillo varietal, which was developed to provide robust disease resistance while maintaining consistent cup quality.

In the broader landscape of specialty coffee, Castillo is often recognized for its adaptability to diverse microclimates, frequently yielding balanced profiles that serve as a reliable foundation for both single-origin offerings and blends. When evaluating the specific nuances of a coffee like this, tasters often consult the flavor wheel to identify the complex interplay of acidity and sweetness inherent in Colombian profiles. By focusing on the work of individual producers like Rivera Quiñonez, roasters can showcase the distinct character that careful cultivation brings to this widely planted varietal.