“When I discovered that coffee was more than just a cup—when I learned it had so many attributes—I fell in love with it.”
For Nohelia Hernández, coffee began as a hobby, rooted in her love for family and the rich flavors it offers. But over time, it became something much deeper: a way to connect with her family, her land, and her new home in Tona, Santander, Colombia. What started as an interest turned into a passion—and now, a purpose.
Nohelia Hernández at the GCAG Coffee Course
From Venezuela to Colombia: A Personal Journey
Nohelia is originally from Venezuela. Six years ago, she married a Colombian man Luis Portilla whose roots run deep in coffee farming. Together, they built a life in Colombia, where they are now raising their three-year-old son and nurturing a dream that is as personal as it is shared.
“This isn’t just a business project for us, it’s a family story. Coffee is part of who we are.”
Her husband Luis grew up in the countryside—his parents were lifelong coffee farmers—and he introduced Nohelia to the traditions of Colombian coffee, planting the seed of curiosity that would soon grow into a calling. Moving from Venezuela, she found Tona’s steep, inclined terrains a stark contrast to the flat plains of her family’s lands.
“I never imagined people could farm here—it frustrated me until I decided to try, and though it’s still challenging, I enjoy it more now,”
she reflects. What helped her feel at home was dreaming and planning her farm’s needs, turning to her faith for guidance amid Colombia’s differences from Venezuela. The warmth of the local people, who embraced her contributions, and the joy of cultivating her garden—eating what she sows with her husband and son—made Tona a place of belonging. “It feels good to help, and being with my family every day is priceless,” she adds.
The Moment It Changed
For years, Nohelia enjoyed coffee casually—like many of us do. But about three years ago, she began to ask deeper questions: What’s really in the cup? What makes coffee good? What makes it special? Her first epiphany came during an invitation to a CENICAFE tasting session. “I always heard Colombia was super professional about coffee, more territorial than cultural,” she recalls. Noticing fruity, caramel, and chocolate notes, she thought, “What is this?” Intrigued, she dove into study, attending coffee fairs and championships, tasting every sample, and asking endless questions. “Being surrounded by coffee experts, you can’t help but fall in love with what this drink offers,” she says.
Nohelia Hernández and her husband Luis Portilla at GCAG
That love propelled her to understand her own coffee’s flavor, sparking a desire to compete and elevate its quality. Her learning accelerated when she joined the GCAG coffee training course in Bucaramanga. “I learned techniques and details that aren’t shared in the market,” she says.
“This course helped me open my mind. The coffee world is so much bigger than I ever realized.”
The sensory side—flavors, nuances—lit up her heart, deepened by hands-on practice with free brewing gear.
A Family Dream Built on Flavor
More than production, Nohelia is drawn to the experience of coffee—how it smells, tastes, and makes people feel. It’s not about high yields or industry recognition. It’s about sharing something meaningful. “This course was everything I had dreamed of and more,” she says. “It brought me closer to the coffee I want to explore.” Mornings are special with her farm’s stunning views and a Venezuelan arepa, brewed traditionally in an olleta pot.
“It connects me to my grandparents and homeland. That method will always be my favorite for the memories it brings, though I enjoy other methods for different moments.”
Her husband is her cornerstone, her “number one fan” and partner, their complementary strengths driving their project forward with divided tasks built on trust. Her son, already familiar with a coffee plant’s basics at three, inspires her to train his palate early, hoping he’ll innovate in the future.
An Invitation to the World
When asked what she’d say to the international coffee community, Nohelia smiles. “I want people to go beyond coffee with milk. I want them to try a good Colombian coffee,” she says. “Colombia has so much to give—our biodiversity, our land, our history. You’ll feel it in every sip.” The GCAG training in Bucaramanga, the most motivating experience she’s had, confirmed her and her husband Luis’s hard work as beginner farmers, despite his family’s different approach.
“Seeing a community united by coffee’s diversity and complexity, with different motivations in one cup, was incredible,”
she shares. The dynamic, hands-on training, enhanced by the brewing tools provided by TIMEMORE, gave her the confidence to defend a good cup, reinforcing her belief in participation.
The GCAG Connection
Nohelia Hernández’s story, like many others, was made possible through the support of the Global Coffee Alliance for Good (GCAG) and its coffee wristband campaign. By supporting courses like the one in Bucaramanga, where participants also received free brewing tools, coffee lovers around the world are helping people like Nohelia grow—both personally and professionally. Looking ahead, she dreams of uniting her community through coffee’s magic, producing her Finca La Peña de Horeb‘s best unique coffee, and inspiring Tona to tap into its potential for excellent coffee. “I want to see Tona in high-level competitions, not just for me, but for all of us,” she asserts. “Mutual cooperation goes further than individual efforts, and I’ll lead by example.” It’s more than a training. It’s a spark. A new beginning. And for Nohelia, it’s the beginning of something beautiful—for her, her family, and the people she’ll soon inspire.
