Who he is: Fifth-generation producer from the Castro-Kahle family, who has been growing coffee on the slopes of the Poás Volcano in Costa Rica's Central Valley for more than 100 years. Alejo approaches coffee like an alchemist — each year innovating, combining, and refining his lots across a remarkable range of varieties and processes, always with the goal of naturally developing the strengths of each coffee.
Brief history: The Castro-Kahle story begins in the mid-19th century, when two pioneering European families — the Spanish Castro-Jiménez family in Costa Rica and the German Kahle family in Mexico — established themselves in coffee. Over 200 years later, Alejo represents the fifth generation of that tradition. The family cultivates Caturra, Catuai, Geisha, SL28, Villasarchi, Sarchimor, Obata, San Isidro, and Venecia across volcanic soils enriched by eruptions of the Poás Volcano. Coffee is not a specialty for the Castro-Kahle clan — it is a tradition, a way of life, and a responsibility toward the land and those who came before.
What makes him singular:
- A producer who combines generational depth with genuine innovation: more than 50% of Volcán Azul's production uses unique processing methods, and he exports 27 different coffee varieties.
- Exceptional environmental commitment: 200 hectares of forest conserved above the coffee fields, and 1,500 hectares of primary forest purchased in the Osa Peninsula — all to preserve biodiversity that, according to Alejo, is what gives the coffee its flavor.
- The soils of the Poás Volcano slopes are uniquely fertile, enriched by volcanic dust after each eruption — a terroir that is impossible to replicate.
Relationship with Belco: We have been working with Alejo for several years, consistently selecting his lots each harvest.
Shared values with Belco:
- Long-term vision: over 200 years of family tradition, matched with a forward-looking approach to quality and innovation.
- Environmental stewardship as a genuine commitment — not certification for its own sake, but a deep belief that biodiversity is what makes great coffee possible.
- Excellence through precision: Alejo's approach to processing is deliberate and craft-driven, always seeking the best expression of each variety.
