In the misty mountains of Bruselas, Huila, “Los Nogales” has been home to the Hernández family’s coffee for five generations. For nearly 80 years, this land has shaped their lives, passing down a deep respect for coffee cultivation and a relentless pursuit of quality.
It began when Ricardo Hernández and Concepción Castillo arrived in the region from Nariño, settling in what was then a newly forming coffee-growing community. Their son, Ricaurte Hernández, grew up among the coffee trees, instilled with a sense of generosity and humility that would define his approach to farming. He dedicated his life to coffee, working alongside his wife, Suldery Arango, and raising their children with the same passion for the land.
The farm’s defining moment came in 2005, when Los Nogales won first place in the Cup of Excellence, a groundbreaking achievement putting them at the forefront of Colombian specialty coffee. Yet their success was not without hardship. In 2013, Ricaurte was tragically killed in Colombia’s ongoing conflict. The family was forced to sell the farm, but his son, Oscar Fernando Hernández, left his military career to reclaim his father’s legacy. Today, alongside his younger sister, Angie Hernández, and their cousin, Anibal Plazas, he carries the farm into a new era.
Angie, a young industrial engineer, is transforming Los Nogales with cutting-edge fermentation techniques. From her mountainside laboratory, she explores microbiology’s role in coffee, refining processing methods that push the boundaries of flavor. Her work, combined with the family’s meticulous care in harvesting and drying, ensures every bean reflects the farm’s extraordinary potential.
This Caturra from Los Nogales undergoes a rigorous process to elevate its inherent qualities. It begins with a thermal shock treatment, where whole cherries are immersed in 80°C water for 20 seconds, followed by 15°C water for 3 minutes, a cycle repeated multiple times. After pulping, beans are fermented for 120 hours in a mossto and brewer’s yeast solution, allowing deep, layered notes to emerge. Finally, they are sun-dried on raised beds for 21 days, carefully monitored to achieve optimal moisture content.
With every cup, Los Nogales tells a story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence. The Hernández family continues to honor their past while shaping the future of Colombian coffee—one harvest at a time.
