Los Nogales - Christmas Candy

About This Coffee

MEET THE PRODUCER | Established by patriarch Ricardo Hernández in 1952, Los Nogales is a storied coffee farm located on the hills of Pitalito. Here, the Hernandez family have spent decades striving to combine tradition with innovation in order to produce some of the best specialty coffee in Huila. Ricardo and his wife, Concepción, welcomed eight children in that very countryside while building their dream—but it was the baby of the family, Ricaurte Hernández, who stood out as the one destined to take over the family business. Ricaurte was a born entrepreneur, in love with the land and obsessed with innovation. Together with his wife, Suldery, he set about building a bonafide coffee empire in Huila—one he hoped his own children would love and shepherd someday. Today, the farm is stewarded by Oscar Hernández, a third generation producer who is following in his grandfather's footsteps and championing his father's efforts. Like his dad, Oscar remains dedicated to modernization and innovative processing techniques. His own background in environmental management has led Oscar to emphasize sustainable farming practices at Los Nogales as well, helping to transform the farm into a modern, sustainable coffee powerhouse that will stand ready for the next generation of capable Hernández hands. TRUST THE PROCESS | This coffee is a blend of two lots from Los Nogales:  66% Nogales - Crismas (sic) 34% Nogales - Typica Origins While the Crismas lot is Oscar’s own adaptation of co-fermentation using red fruits, Typica Origins is a meticulously processed lot fermented by a lactobacillus yeast strain called RN21 for a whopping 190 hours. In both cases, the coffee is thoroughly rinsed after fermentation and then dried in a Guardiola until optimal moisture content is achieved. TAKE A SIP | Together, these two coffees give us a tasting experience that is aromatic, a little boozy, and deliciously dessert-like. From our childhood, it brings to mind memories of smashing chocolate oranges at the kitchen table. As an adult, it feels reminiscent of more boozy indulgences, like hot chocolate spiked with amaretto. When cream and sugar are added to the mug, the flavor becomes decidedly decadent—think bananas foster, or better yet, figgy pudding! ‘Tis the season, after all.