Coffee culture

Panama Ilerita Estate SHB Caturra Premium Coffee Beans: Variety, Cultivation & Market Overview

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Variety: Caturra Estate: Ilerita Estate Flavor: Creamy bread, apricot kernel sweetness, rounded acidity Panama coffee has become the most popular Central American origin in the past 5-6 years, primarily because the Geisha variety cultivated by Panama's La Esmeralda Estate, operated by the Peterson family, has driven coffee enthusiasts worldwide into a frenzy, thus elevating Geisha's status in the specialty coffee community

Variety: Caturra

Estate: Hacienda Eleta

Flavor: Creamy bread, sweet apricot kernel, rounded acidity

Panama Coffee: A Rising Star in Central America

Panama coffee has become the most popular coffee origin in Central America over the past 5-6 years. The main reason is the Geisha variety cultivated by Hacienda La Esmeralda, run by the Peterson family, which has driven coffee enthusiasts wild. This has led to Geisha being acclaimed as the world's finest coffee bean. For this reason, the Panama Cup of Excellence competition auction is separate from the Central and South American cupping competitions, making it the earliest auction country held annually in mid-May. Panama coffee is impressive not only in the Geisha variety but also in its continuous innovation in green bean processing methods. Beyond traditional washed processing, it features honey processing, which is most popular in neighboring Costa Rica. Additionally, Panama produces small quantities of naturally processed coffee, gradually gaining prominence in Central America and attracting global coffee attention.

Historical Background

Coffee was introduced to Panama in 1780 when Europeans brought the first Typica varieties. This mysterious and exotic beverage soon conquered the senses of Panamanians, who began widespread cultivation. Panama coffee is notably smooth, with full-bodied beans that are light in weight and perfectly balanced in acidity. Its premium coffee beans offer pure, distinctive flavors. Due to its widespread popularity, most of Panama's premium coffee beans are exported to France and Finland.

Main Coffee Growing Regions

Boquete: This region produces abundant, high-quality coffee, making it the area with the highest production and finest quality in Panama.

Volcán: Coffee from this region is characterized by mild, balanced flavors and is gradually gaining attention from international experts and coffee enthusiasts. It is believed that it will soon rival the Boquete region in prominence.

Santa Clara: Fertile coffee plantations are irrigated by the clear waters of the Chorerra waterfall. Proximity to the Panama Canal allows fresh, pure Panama coffee to be conveniently shipped worldwide.

Piedra de Candela: This region shows the greatest potential for developing high-quality specialty coffee.

Coffee Characteristics

This particular batch of coffee offers the most pristine, original flavors. The Hacienda Eleta SHB washed coffee is harvested from high-altitude Catuai coffee beans, featuring strong fruity and floral notes. Its flavor characteristics include creamy bread, sweet apricot kernel, sugarcane sweetness, rounded acidity, complex aroma, balanced sweet and sour notes, and pleasant mouthfeel.

Product Information

Manufacturer: FrontStreet Coffee
Address: No. 10, Bao'an Front Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Contact: 020-38364473
Ingredients: In-house roasted
Shelf Life: 30 days
Net Weight: 227g
Packaging: Bulk
Flavor Profile: Medium
Bean State: Roasted coffee beans
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Origin: Panama
Coffee Type: Other

Detailed Coffee Information

Panama MC Santa Clara Eleta SHB Washed

Country: Panama
Grade: SHB
Region: Santa Clara
Altitude: Average 1,600 meters
Processing Method: Washed

Hacienda Eleta Estate

Hacienda Eleta is located in the small area of Santa Clara region, just one kilometer from the Costa Rican border and near La Amistad International Park, a major primary forest reserve that forms part of the Central American ecological habitat. Hacienda Eleta began acquiring land in the 1970s, covering approximately 130 hectares. Initially focused on vegetable cultivation and livestock operations, it began coffee cultivation in 1995, naming it Café de Eleta S.A. The estate continued to expand its land area and now encompasses 420 hectares, making it one of Panama's large-scale coffee plantations and one of its most renowned premium coffees. Due to abundant water resources, the estate operates a private 530KW hydroelectric power plant, which not only supplies its own electricity needs but also sells excess power to Distribución de Electricidad Chiriquí S.A. for grid connection.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

0