Wilfredo Castro is a respected member of the extended Castro family of coffee growers. Wilfredo and his family migrated from the Bolivan Altiplano (High Plateau) in the Pacajes province towards the coffee growing region of Yungas to start a new life as coffee farmers. They eventually settled in Colonia Siete Estrellas, Chijchipani County, Caranavi Province.
His farm is 10 hectares (about 25 acres); 1.5 hectares are dedicated to coffee production. He grows both Caturra and Yellow Catuai and his farm is situated at over 1600 meters above sea level.
He participated in the last Cup of Excellence in 2009, but only made it to the National Winners phase. His coffee won 21st Place in the 2011 Invalsa sourcing/cupping trip competition, which included the presence of 5 International judges.
In 2008, when his brother Pedro obtained the second place in the Cup of Excellence competition, Wilfredo assisted him and he indicates that the lot was a “family submission” under the elder brother’s name, Pedro.
Welcome to my Table, here in the corner of this cafe. Today we’re sipping the Bolivia Wilfredo Castro, from Populace Coffee in Bay City, Michigan. Feel free to pull up a chair.
THE BASICS:
region: Caranavi, Bolivia
farm: Siete Estrellas
producer: Wilfredo Castro
association: N/A
elevation: 1615 meters above sea level
cultivars: Caturra, Yellow Catuai
process: fully washed, patio dried
certifications: standard
THE COFFEE:
The aroma of the Bolivia Wilfredo Castro is sweet, fragrant. Cocoa, caramel, and vanilla introduce scents of fruits (melon, apples, berries) and rose hips, wild meadow flowers, and wheat.
Taking my first few sips of the coffee immediately post-brew, my taste buds are immediately greeted by beautiful flavors of raw cocoa, creamy chocolate souffle, brown sugar, oatmeal, and graham cracker. There’s also a sprinkling of ginger and coriander spice that nips at the back of the tongue in the tail end of each sip.
As the coffee cools off, it gets much juicier and fruit flavors come bubbling up from the bottom of the cup, the flavors from the first half of the cup take on more of a vanilla/honey/cookie dough taste, and finishes with a deeply satisfying, long, lingering aftertaste. Now I’m getting really great notes of cantaloupe, lemon, Gala apple, apricot, banana, raspberry, peach, and a mellow nectarine acidity that lifts to reveal a pistachio finish.
Medium body; creamy/juicy mouthfeel; citrus acidity; clean finish.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
The Bolivia Wilfredo Castro, from Populace Coffee, is one delicious, dynamic, and complex cup of coffee. This coffee was fantastically well-rounded and balanced, with terrific clarity and a bright, transparent acidity.
Sweet, fragrant, creamy, juicy, deep, long.
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Andrew is a husband, father, dog lover, craft beverage enthusiast, content creator, and niche market Internet celebrity. Formerly of A Table in the Corner of the Cafe and The Pulitzer Project and contributor to Barista Magazine and Mental Floss, he’s been writing on the Internet for years.