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Panama Boquete Elida Natural Typica Premium Coffee Beans: Differences, Distinctions, and Award Achievements

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional barista exchange: Follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). Baru is a young volcano with an altitude exceeding 3,400 meters, classified as an active volcano with seven different microclimate zones in its vicinity, fostering a rich and diverse ecosystem. The diverse microclimates present both advantages and disadvantages for coffee cultivation, but for Elida, its flavor profile is more intense and aromatic compared to most Panamanian beans

For professional barista exchanges, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style)

The Unique Terroir of Elida Estate

Baru is a young active volcano with an elevation exceeding 3,400 meters, surrounded by seven distinct microclimate zones that foster rich and diverse ecosystems. The varied microclimates present both advantages and disadvantages for coffee cultivation. However, in the case of Elida, its flavor profile is more intense and aromatic than most Panamanian beans. The black berry aftertaste and versatile mouthfeel have become the primary reasons why connoisseurs overwhelmingly adore it.

However, high-altitude terrain also has drawbacks. For Elida, the average elevation for coffee cultivation exceeds 1,700 meters. The high altitude combined with cool nighttime temperatures means coffee plants require five years after sowing before they can be harvested, making the waiting period exceptionally long. Once entering the harvest season, coffee ripening often extends beyond a month. If adverse weather conditions such as typhoons or heavy rains occur before ripening, significant losses are inevitable. Despite knowing this, because the beans haven't fully ripened, the commitment to quality means not rushing to harvest, resulting in substantially reduced yields. The risks are actually much greater than those faced by lower-altitude estates.

Panamanian coffee gained fame through the Geisha variety of Hacienda La Esmeralda, and the region where this estate is located is also quite renowned: the Boquete region in Chiriqui Province. Boquete is a town in Chiriqui Province, situated near the border between Panama and Costa Rica, close to the famous Baru Volcano. With its picturesque scenery, fertile soil, and climate ideal for producing premium coffee, Boquete offers perfect conditions for coffee cultivation.

Exceptional Quality and Umami Characteristics

Since 2006, Elida's selected batches have consistently ranked among the best in Panama, with prices increasing year by year. Among Central American estates, Elida possesses the most prominent "Kenyan black berry notes." Its black berry characteristics and persistent complex fruit flavors often leave people full of praise. Judges are also drawn to Elida's unique "umami" quality. The term "umami" is now recognized by many experts as the fifth basic taste (alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty). The function of umami is similar to monosodium glutamate, enhancing flavors in foods like dried shiitake mushrooms, aged cheese, and kelp. Umami in coffee relates to good "aftertaste" - for example, a long and pleasant sensation after sipping, all part of the umami experience.

Precision in Processing

The equipment and processing steps at Elida's processing facility are meticulously executed. Generally, when coffee cherries reach a certain stage in post-processing, if their moisture content exceeds 20% for extended periods, not only do the high-quality components within the cherries easily dissipate, but there's also potential for off-flavors to develop. Additionally, Elida's processing facility is located at high altitude, necessitating specialized equipment to control temperature and timing during drying. These factors must be perfectly balanced, representing crucial steps that directly impact quality.

Varietal Information and Origin

This particular batch uses natural processing and features the classic Typica variety. Typica is the oldest native variety from Ethiopia, originating in the southeastern regions of Ethiopia and Sudan. All Arabica varieties derive from Typica. While elegant in flavor, it has weak vigor, poor disease resistance, and low yield. Outstanding estate beans like Jamaica Blue Mountain, Sumatra Mandheling, and Hawaii Kona all belong to the Typica family. Typica plants have bronze-colored young leaves (hence called red-tipped coffee) and belong to the Arabica species.

More than half of Elida Estate lies within the protected area of Panama National Park. It is a rare ultra-high-altitude estate in Central America, cultivating coffee between 1,700 and nearly 2,000 meters elevation where terrain permits. It is renowned for its main flavor profile of "intensity and umami."

Elida Estate belongs to owner Wilfrido Lamastus. The estate cultivates three varieties: Typica, Geisha, and Catuai, with nursery areas dedicated to nurturing seedlings of these varieties. The journey to the estate is beautiful, and at 1,700 meters elevation, the air becomes crisp and cool, like walking through high mountains enjoying a forest bath while breathing fresh, pure air. The terrain at 2,000 meters is steep and rugged, but after crossing the ridge line, you reach a saddle area with flat, open ground that can shelter from howling mountain winds. Wilfrido says, "This is the perfect place to grow Geisha!"

Flavor Profile and Product Information

Flavor Description: Rich tropical fruits, strawberry notes, black plums, apricots, peaches, longans, with intense fruity wine aromas.

Brand: FrontStreet Coffee

Net Weight: 227g

Packaging: Bulk packaging

Bean State: Roasted coffee beans

Sugar Content: Sugar-free

Origin: Panama

Roast Level: Medium roast

About Typica Variety

Typica is a tall-growing Arabica cultivar that spread from Yemen to Java, beginning to circulate on Java Island in the early 18th century.

It is the oldest native variety from Ethiopia, with all Arabica varieties deriving from Typica. Typica plants have bronze-colored young leaves, and the beans are oval or slender-pointed in shape. While elegant in flavor, it has weak vigor, poor disease resistance, and low yield. Outstanding estate beans like Jamaica Blue Mountain, Sumatra Mandheling, and Hawaii Kona all belong to the Typica family.

Its plants are very similar to what we call Java today, with bronze-tipped young leaves, large fruits and seeds, very low yield, and susceptibility to all major pests and diseases.

Brewing Recommendations

For pour-over Panama: 15g of coffee, medium grind (using Fujiyama mill with ghost teeth burrs on setting 4), V60 dripper, water temperature 88-89°C. First pour with 30g water for a 27-second bloom, then pour to 105g and pause. Wait until the water level drops halfway, then continue pouring slowly until reaching 225g. Avoid the tail section. Water-to-coffee ratio of 1:15, total extraction time 2:00.