Banexport Project - Washed Castillo - Colombia

Whole Bean
Roast: Medium
Recommended Rest: 2-3 weeks from roast date
Tasting Notes: apple jacks, pear tart, hazelnut

Origin Details

Region: Huila, Colombia
Elevation: 1690-1850masl
Producer: smallholder farmers
Process: Washed
Variety: Castillo

ABOUT THIS COFFEE AND PRODUCER

From Royal Coffee:

Coffee cultivation from small family owned farms is the backbone of production in Colombia. Banexport, a Colombian export company, works directly with many of these small farms where producers have a shared commitment for exquisite coffee processing and loving care for their farms and the environment.

The model of collaborative effort produces traceable community blends with vibrant regional profiles. This lot comes from 10 producers (Daniel Felipe Ruiz Diaz, Aldemar Betancur, Luis Alberto Hoyos Collazos, Sami Jair Solano Sierra, William Arley Cruz Bohorquez, Yina Alejandra Solano Sierra, Octavio Rueda Ramírez, Diego Fernando Valderrama, Alexander Vargas Osorio, and Sergio Zúñiga) with farms in communities within the municipality of Palestina in the department of Huila.

Each producer has their own micro-mill where they focus on selective picking, floating the cherries to remove damaged and underdeveloped beans, macerating the cherries for 24 hours, depulping to remove the skin, and fermenting 24 to 48 hours to remove the mucilage before washing the coffee seeds. The wet parchment is dried to 11 percent moisture over a period between 7 to 21 days on raised beds.

After processing, Banexport provides crucial logistical support for things like warehousing and milling coffee for export to the international market, which provides better income for everyone to reinvest in their farms and strengthen their families’ livelihoods.

WHY WE SELECTED THIS COFFEE

We’re excited to be working with the Banexport Project again—some of our favorite Colombian coffees over the years have come through this partnership, and this one is no exception. This single-varietal Castillo showcases a beautiful balance of bright, malic tart acidity and rich, comforting nuttiness, making it incredibly versatile and deeply satisfying.

It shines with milk, holds its own as a cozy, well-rounded espresso, and honestly pairs well with just about anything. That’s why we’re thrilled to feature it as our main espresso in the shop for a while. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.