Cupping Notes: Cloves, Cherry, Molasses
Roast profile: Medium
Process: Washed
Varietals: Castillo
Altitude: 5000
Origin: Pijao, Quindio Department, Colombia
 
This month's release comes from the Pijao Village of the Quindio Department, Colombia. Nestled high in the Andes Mountains this coffee is from the hybrid "Castillo" varietal. The Castillo, like most Robusta Hybrids was originally designated to grow higher yields of lower quality coffee at lower altitudes. The farmers that took these beans and planted them at higher altitudes in areas with the right climate are now reaping double reward. Like the Anacafe-14 from Guatemala, the Batian, and Centroamericano, the family of Castillos is preforming exceptionally well in the right conditions. 
This coffee represents a change from what we've been doing over the past few months. While we love to experiment with different fermentation processes sometimes we need to anchor with a solid clean washed coffee. 
Google Pijao while you're drinking this coffee. Every place has its strengths and weaknesses, but a few places on earth are as green and mountainous as the Colombian Andes. It's no surprise they call Colombia "the land of the eternal spring".