Santander · Variety
Caturra in Santander
Santander is known for colombia's organic and shade-grown pioneer with distinctive sweet, low-acid cups, and Caturra is one of the varieties behind that reputation. The region's farms sit at 1,200–1,800 m — Caturra's preferred range is 1,200–1,900 m — and harvest runs september – december, the window in which the variety's character is decided in the field.
Caturra brings its own agronomic personality to Santander: a dwarf/compact, high planting density plant with high (with fertilization) yield potential, and disease behavior best summarized as highly susceptible to leaf rust. Regional processing leans on washed, natural, which shapes how the variety's raw material reaches the cup.
Tasted side by side with the same variety from other regions, Santander's expression stands apart: the variety contributes bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, while the regional cup runs toward dark chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts with gentle acidity — an atypically deep, mellow colombian profile. That interaction — genetics times place — is exactly what regional sourcing is about.
Key facts
| Region | Santander |
|---|---|
| Country | Colombia |
| Region altitude | 1,200–1,800 m |
| Variety optimal altitude | 1,200–1,900 m |
| Harvest | September – December |
| Species | Arabica |
| Lineage | Natural dwarf mutation of Bourbon, discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil (1930s) |
| Disease resistance | Highly susceptible to leaf rust |
| Regional cup profile | Dark chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts with gentle acidity — an atypically deep, mellow Colombian profile. |
Caturra in Santander — frequently asked questions
Does Caturra grow well in Santander?
Yes — the region's 1,200–1,800 m range overlaps the variety's preferred 1,200–1,900 m, and local processing traditions (washed, natural) suit its characteristics. It is one of the varieties Santander is known for.
What does Santander Caturra taste like?
Expect bright citric acidity, sugar-cane sweetness, lighter body than bourbon, expressed through the region's typical character: dark chocolate, dried fruit, and nuts with gentle acidity — an atypically deep, mellow colombian profile.
When is Caturra from Santander harvested?
The regional harvest runs september – december; fresh lots typically reach export markets one to three months after milling.
Volcana Coffee grows high-altitude Catimor, Typica, and washed Fine Robusta in our own volcanic region — the Bolaven Plateau, Laos. Compare our terroir against any region in the world, cup to cup.
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