Fernando Soto
Beans That Tell Stories
Fernando Soto is a coffee grower with deep roots in the coffee-growing tradition of Colombia’s Coffee Axis. Born and raised in Finca La Morelia, located in the village of La Estrella in Apía, Risaralda, Don Fernando represents the fifth generation of his family dedicated to coffee cultivation. He inherited the farm from his mother, and since then, he has kept alive the essence of a legacy that spans generations.
At an altitude of 1,650 meters above sea level, he carefully cultivates 4,500 coffee trees of the Castillo and Cenicafé varieties, using an agroecological approach: no herbicides, and a fertilization program two to three times a year to maintain balanced soil nutrition.
His post-harvest process includes the flotation technique to select the best cherries, followed by a prolonged fermentation of 36 to 48 hours, which brings out complex and distinctive cup profiles. The drying process is done using solar methods, helping to preserve the quality and authenticity of the beans.
In addition to coffee, Fernando grows food for his family’s consumption such as plantain, cilantro, and beans, integrating food security and sustainability practices on his farm.
