Colombia El Diamante - La Locura (Filter)

Tastes Like: Rich and fruit forward, with a syrupy body and lingering finish. Red apple, raspberry cordial and sarsaparilla.

This coffee was grown and processed by Neftalí Castro on his family’s farm, El Diamante (which translates to “the diamond” in Spanish), located near the town and municipality of Cajamarca, in the state of Tolima, Colombia. The 30 hectare property is owned and managed by Neftali and his sisters, who are the third generation to run the farm. When the farm was first established, the family planted plantain, green beans, potatoes and a local root vegetable called arrachacha. They also kept a small plot of Typica trees, but coffee was neither a priority nor an important source of income.

This changed in 2008, when Neftalí, the youngest of the siblings, decided to return to his family farm and take over its management, after many years working as a mechanic in Tolima’s capital, Ibagué. From the outset, his focus was on coffee production. During an inspiring visit to the renowned coffee producing region of Pitalito, Huila, he had recognised the potential of coffee and, from that point forward, was determined to pursue the social benefits of the crop for himself and his family.

Neftalí is proactive and ingenious, and always has several projects on the go — whether that’s committing to helping neighbours improve their farms’ infrastructures, or investigating and trialing new coffee varieties on a plot he calls ‘La Locura,’ (which translates to “the madness“) where this particular offering comes from. This fascinating corner of the property is haphazardly planted with all the varieties grown at El Diamante, and is heavily overgrown with native shade trees. Due to its position on the side of a very steep hill, the trees at ‘La Locura’ are difficult to reach, adding to the sense that coffee here grows on wild and untamed terrain.

Generous with his time and resources with fellow producers, Neftalí is considered a leader and role model within his town and a champion for coffee production. His resourcefulness, innovation and adaptability have helped him build El Diamante’s reputation for excellence and inspired many of his neighbours to focus on specialty production. As Neftali shares, “Coffee is my passion. I don’t want to do anything else.”

REGION: Tolima, Cajamarca
FARM: El Diamante
ELEVATION: 1730 MASL

VARIETY: Mixed
PROCESSING: Washed
FARMER: Neftali Castro