Farmer: Neftali Castro
Region: Cajamarca
Varietal: Caturra, Tabi
Processing: Washed
Altitude: 1,730masl
Tasting Notes: Blackberry and Hibiscus

This washed coffee was produced by Neftali Castro on his family’s farm, El Diamante, located in the Cajamarca region of the state of Tolima, Colombia. In recent years the community, including Neftali, have stood up to large mining companies that were buying and tearing up established farms in search of gold, recognising that agriculture is the socially and environmentally sustainable choice for the region in the long term. After taking over management of El Diamante from his father in 2008, Neftali has established himself as a leader and champion for coffee production in the area, owing to his resourcefulness, innovation and adaptability. In his own words, “Coffee is my passion. I don’t want to do anything else.” This lot is made up of both Caturra and the emerging Tabi variety, with both well suited to the farm’s high elevations of 1,730masl and rich volcanic soils. The ripest cherries are hand picked and processed at the farm’s micro-mill, with most of the work being done by Netfali and his family. The fruit is manually pulped and placed in a fermentation tank where 2-3 days worth of pickings are added periodically to lower the ph. Combined with the cool temperatures of the region, this allows for an extended fermentation period of 48 hours resulting in more vibrant, concentrated flavours. The coffee is then washed and dried for 10-18 days on parabolic beds. Brew using your favourite filter method for a coffee that is bursting with rich, berry sweetness and a refreshingly tart acidity.