Characteristics of Panama Duncan Estate Coffee Beans - Panama Duncan Estate Coffee Brewing Methods

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Caturra: The High-Yield Bourbon Variant

Caturra is a single-gene variant of Bourbon, discovered in Brazil in 1937. It offers both higher yield and better disease resistance than Bourbon, with shorter plants that facilitate harvesting. However, like Bourbon, it suffers from biennial production cycles. Its strong adaptability allows it to thrive without shade trees, flourishing under direct sunlight—earning it the name "Sun Coffee." While suitable for high-density planting, it requires more fertilizer, increasing costs and resulting in low initial acceptance by coffee farmers.

During the 1970s coffee price surge, farmers widely switched to Caturra to increase yields. With strong promotion by Brazilian and Colombian authorities, results were remarkable. Farmers' acceptance of Caturra signaled a major transformation in cultivation techniques. Brazil and Colombia adopted high-yield, high-density sun cultivation methods. By 1990, one million hectares could produce 14 million bags of coffee beans—a 60% increase in productivity. No wonder high-yield, high-quality Caturra has become a vital variety relied upon by coffee-producing countries worldwide.

Caturra is suitable for cultivation from low altitudes of 700 meters to high altitudes of 1700 meters, demonstrating strong altitude adaptability. The higher the altitude, the better the flavor profile, though yields decrease correspondingly—this is the destiny of specialty coffee beans. Academics aptly describe Caturra as the intensive, sun-grown version of Bourbon. In Central and South America, there's also a yellow variant (Caturra Amarello), though its reputation doesn't match that of Yellow Bourbon.

When lightly roasted, Caturra exhibits prominent acidic aromas and overall brightness. With proper processing, sweetness can be exceptionally well-expressed. However, compared to Bourbon, it has relatively lower body and somewhat lacks in mouthfeel cleanliness.

Typically, Caturra produces red cherries, but in some rare regions, yellow Caturra can be found. For instance, Hawaii grows very limited quantities of yellow Caturra.

Duncan: Hand Pour Brewing Guide

15g coffee, medium grind (using Fujiyama's serrated burrs at setting 4), V60 dripper, water temperature 88-89°C. First pour 30g of water for 27-second bloom, then pour to 105g and pause. Wait until the water level drops halfway, then slowly pour until reaching 225g. Discard the tail section. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, extraction time 2:00.

Roast Level: Medium Roast

Duncan Estate's Premium Picking Methods

Duncan Estate produces two unique picking methods: 'Premium Picking' and 'Reserva Picking.' These approaches elevate coffee to exceptional quality and flavor levels, though significantly reducing yield. KOTOWA's 'Premium Picking' focuses on harvesting coffee cherries only when they display deep wine-red color (overripe dark color), followed by immediate and rapid post-harvest processing. The cost of achieving this flavor profile is enormous. Another method, 'Reserva Picking,' is also known as fully-red picking (Quickly Processed).

'Reserva Picking' relies not solely on color as the picking standard—it requires judgment of sweetness and fruit pulp sweetness quality! Besides being 100% fully red, cherries must also be 100% converted to fruit sweetness, displaying a velvety sweetness before being picked!

Region: Boquete Region

Altitude: 1250-1700 Meters

Situated in the Baru Volcano region, this area benefits from unique microclimate and volcanic terrain. The growing season features abundant rainfall with distinct wet and dry seasons. Combined with lava flows from the volcanic belt, the fertile volcanic black soil and excellent drainage provide extraordinary growing conditions, producing particularly captivating coffee aromas. The altitude here exceeds 1700 meters with strong winds, and the estate contains many giant coniferous trees over 200 years old.

Kotowa places great importance on ecological protection, completely avoiding chemical fertilizers. Instead, they use cherry skins and pulp to create nutrient-rich compost that nourishes coffee trees and gives back to the land. Not only was Kotowa Coffee nominated by Panama's environmental agency as a recipient of the National Environmental Protection Award in 2006, but this approach also creates the unique flavor of Duncan Estate coffee, producing exceptional quality beans that consistently achieve top rankings in the Best of Panama (BOP) competition.

Flavor Notes: Fruit wine, fermented fruit aroma, honey citrus, malt sweetness, sweet peach, distinct layers, delicate texture, candied fruit

Product Information

Manufacturer: FrontStreet Coffee
Address: FrontStreet Coffee, 10 Bao'an Front Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Shelf Life: 90 days
Net Weight: 227g
Packaging: Bulk coffee beans
Roast Level: Roasted coffee beans
Sugar Content: Sugar-free
Origin: Panama

Panama Duncan Coffee Specifications

Country: Panama
Grade: SHG (Strictly High Grown)
Processing Method: Natural Processing
Variety: Caturra
Estate: Duncan Estate
Flavor Notes: Fruit wine, fermented fruit aroma, honey citrus

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473