Jhon Alexander Bermudez

Jhon Alexander Bermudez is a dedicated coffee producer who owns and operates Finca La Estrella, a small three-hectare farm located in the remote and historically challenging coffee-growing region of Urrao, Antioquia, Colombia. He manages the farm alongside his wife and their two young daughters, representing a family-run operation that has become a cornerstone of specialty coffee projects in the area. The farm sits at an elevation of approximately 1,930 meters above sea level, providing the cool, high-altitude climate necessary for the development of complex flavor profiles.

The primary focus of Finca La Estrella is the cultivation of the Chiroso variety. Chiroso is an Ethiopian landrace variety that is predominantly found in the Antioquia region of Colombia. On his three-hectare plot, Bermudez maintains approximately 11,000 coffee trees. This variety is highly regarded in the specialty coffee industry for its unique sensory characteristics, which often draw comparisons to coffees from Uraga, Ethiopia, frequently exhibiting notes of ripe pineapple, stone fruit, blueberry, and bright, tea-like acidity.

Bermudez employs meticulous processing methods to ensure the quality of his harvest. The coffee cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness and floated to remove any defects. Following de-pulping, the coffee undergoes an extended underwater fermentation process that lasts for eight days. After fermentation, the coffee is washed and dried on raised beds until it reaches a target moisture content of 10.5%. This rigorous attention to detail during the post-harvest phase is a hallmark of his production style.

Urrao has long been considered an under-represented region in Colombian coffee, often difficult to access due to its remote geography. However, through the work of producers like Bermudez, the region has gained significant attention for its extraordinary potential for cup quality. His consistent production of high-scoring Chiroso has made his farm a focal point for roasters seeking unique, high-quality Colombian lots that deviate from traditional regional profiles.

It is important to distinguish Jhon Alexander Bermudez of Finca La Estrella from other prominent figures in the Colombian coffee industry who share the surname Bermudez. Specifically, he is not affiliated with the brothers Diego and Alex Bermudez of Finca El Paraiso in Cauca, who are internationally recognized for their scientific approach to controlled fermentation and biocatalysis. While both parties contribute to the prestige of Colombian coffee, their farms, regions, and processing philosophies are distinct.

For the specialty coffee drinker, the work of Jhon Alexander Bermudez represents the intersection of rare varietal expression and careful, traditional processing. His ability to produce consistent, high-quality harvests in a challenging environment has solidified his reputation among specialty roasters. As his farm continues to evolve, it remains a vital example of how smallholder farmers in remote regions can achieve global recognition through the cultivation of specific, high-quality landrace varieties.