Los Nogales - Christmas Candy

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.

Origin | Pitalito, Huila, Colombia

Producer | Oscar Hernandez

Farm | Los Nogales

Process | Advanced

Variety | Castillo, Typica

Elevation | 1870–2000 MASL

Produced by Oscar Hernandez in Pitalito, Huila, this Colombia · Pitalito, Huila offering showcases the potential of the Castillo varietal when subjected to meticulous post-harvest techniques. Roasted by Black & White Coffee Roasters, the "Christmas Candy" lot utilizes an advanced processing method to push the boundaries of traditional cup profiles. While standard Castillo often provides a reliable, balanced foundation, these specialized fermentation protocols allow for the development of complex, dessert-like characteristics.

The resulting cup features decadent notes of chocolate oranges, hot chocolate spiked with amaretto, bananas foster, and figgy pudding. These rich, indulgent flavors highlight how modern innovation can transform familiar cultivars into unique sensory experiences. For those looking to better understand the nuances of these specific descriptors, consulting a flavor wheel can be a helpful tool in identifying the intricate layers present in this high-altitude harvest.