We’re lucky to work with the best minds in the business. And Colombia’s Oscar Hernández is right up there with the best of them.

Oscar’s coffees are among the most exciting in the world of speciality coffee – a term reserved for the highest-grade coffee. We value each batch on quality, traceability, and sustainability – and Oscar ticks every box. But even with his outstanding reputation, this latest crop left us speechless.

It’s our first-ever low-caf coffee. And it’s the first kombucha-processed coffee we’ve ever come across. So, while it’s low in caffeine, it’s full throttle in flavour.

We’re talking notes of vibrant mandarin and violet. Notes that you’d rarely – if ever – associate with a low-caffeine coffee.

So, how is this possible?

Fermented with kombucha

The Los Nogales estate is a high-altitude coffee lab. Every detail is dialled in to push flavour to the absolute max. This low-caf coffee starts with a traditional washed process – where the fruit surrounding the coffee bean is removed and then the beans are thoroughly washed before drying. 

But then things take a bold turn. 

Oscar adds kombucha yeasts during fermentation – a natural process that happens when sugars in the coffee cherry break down and interact with microorganisms. By introducing kombucha cultures, Oscar slows the release of caffeine while developing a strikingly complex flavour profile.

In short, carefully selected yeasts amplify specific notes, from fruit to florals, while temperature-controlled fermentation ensures balance and consistency.

At Los Nogales, everything down to the microorganisms are handpicked to achieve very specific flavours. The result is a progressive drinking experience like no other, and we’re the first to bring it to the UK.

What are the tasting notes?

Expect a silky, fruit-forward cup with real depth. Bright mandarin citrus leads the way, followed by delicate violet florals and the comforting sweetness of baked fruit.

The acidity is smooth and rounded – think orange zest without the sharpness – while the mouthfeel is soft and luxurious. It’s complex and layered with a clean finish that lasts just long enough.

There’s limited availability, and lots like this don’t hang around for long. So make sure you don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience!

Explore L.N. Kombucha Low Caf here.