Nav: Home > Coffee >

Introduction to Panama Geisha Coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Follow Coffee Review (WeChat public account vdailycom) to discover wonderful cafes and open your own small shop. Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda - In the early days, the recognition of top-grade coffee mostly followed Japan's lead, while Geisha, with hurricane-like force, swept through the coffee world.

Panama Geisha Hacienda La Esmeralda

In the early days, the recognition of premium coffee largely followed Japanese standards. However, Geisha, with hurricane-like force, swept through the coffee world. This coffee revolution came with such momentum that even the long-reigning king and queen of the coffee kingdom—Jamaica Blue Mountain and Hawaii Kona—had to step aside. This wild variety native to Ethiopia, after countless battles, is now cultivated in major coffee-producing regions. Its best ambassador is the "La Esmeralda" estate from Panama. The Geisha coffee from Hacienda La Esmeralda is the most famous coffee among all Geisha varieties.

In 1924, Swedish citizen Hans Elliott established Hacienda La Esmeralda, which was not a coffee plantation at the time but a pasture. Forty years later, in 1964, Mr. Daniel Peterson's grandfather, Rudolph A. Peterson, purchased La Esmeralda estate as a retirement home. Grandfather Rudolph Peterson was born in Sweden and had served as President of the American Bank and as Director of the United Nations Development Program.

His son, Bror Peterson, moved from California to Panama in 1973 to inherit and manage his father's estate. In 1987, he converted most of the estate to coffee cultivation. In 1994, to establish a brand, he invested in specialty coffee processing equipment. While Bror Peterson and his wife Susan were establishing the coffee plantation's formal operations, they also raised three children: Price (born 1966 in Philadelphia), Rachel (born 1967 in Sweden), and Daniel (born 1974 in Panama).

In 1996, Bror and Rachel visited a farm for sale in the Jaramillo region of Boquete Valley and were immediately captivated by its beauty, purchasing it on the spot. This became Hacienda La Esmeralda Jaramillo. It was here that their third son, Daniel Peterson, cultivated the Geisha coffee that would capture the world's attention!

Panama Geisha Growing Conditions

Panama Geisha growing altitude: 1,500-1,650 meters.

The unique growing environment creates its distinctive flavor profile:

Flavor Profile

Dry Aroma: Tea-like, floral (magnolia, tulip), herbal plants, creamy, brown sugar sweetness, premium champagne with uplifting aroma.

Wet Aroma: Apricot, caramel, creamy, floral notes.

Sipping: Excellent oily texture, delicate Lishan premium tea sensation, premium wine-like tannin that quickly transforms into a smooth, silky body filling the palate.

Berry candy and spice sweetness intertwine, accompanied by floral notes bursting forth. The aftertaste is filled with floral aromas and fruit sweetness, with a remarkably persistent body. The lower the temperature, the more refined the acidity.

To date, Hacienda La Esmeralda has won 12 various coffee competition championships. In online public auctions, it has set three highest bid records: $21 in 2004, $50.25 in 2006, and $130 in 2007! Of course, other countries have also seen good coffee reach nearly $50 per pound (Brazil's 2005 CoE champion Fazenda Santa Inês, Guatemala's 2008 CoE champion El Injerto at $80.20). But notice the timeline—before La Esmeralda's record-breaking prices, no auction bids had surpassed hers. After others did, she would surpass them again. To call her a record creator is no exaggeration!

Hacienda La Esmeralda's Glorious Achievements

Panama's highest-grade coffee ranking: 1st place for four consecutive years from 2004 to 2007!

American Specialty Coffee Association (SCAA) World Coffee Cupping Ranking: 1st place for three consecutive years from 2005 to 2007!

Rainforest Alliance Coffee Quality Cupping Ranking: 1st place in 2004, 2006, and 2007!

Guatemala Geisha

Guatemala Acatenango Gesha

In 2007, Guatemala added its eighth coffee region, Acatenango Valley, which we translate as "Acatenango Region."

In 2007, Anacafé (Guatemala Coffee Association) not only heavily promoted it at the SCAA exhibition but also arranged special sessions during the national competition to explain it to international judges. Previously, Guatemala boasted seven major regions, which not only distinguished characteristics but also made it easier for buyers and consumers to remember. The seven major regions—Antigua, Huehuetenango, Lake Atitlán, Cobán Rainforest, etc.—each could find excellent estates and good coffee reflecting local terroir characteristics.

Acatenango is located in Guatemala's Chimaltenango province. The entire region's over 5,000 hectares of coffee farms have fertile volcanic soil, primarily situated between two major volcanic mountain ranges, and almost all have forest and shade trees. As can be seen from the photograph above, estates almost all adopt shade cultivation. The main varieties are still Bourbon, with some Catuai and Caturra.

Acatenango's two major volcanoes are Volcán de Fuego and Volcán Acatenango, with Acatenango being the third highest peak among Central America's many volcanoes. Across the Fuego volcano lies Lake Atitlán. The region's annual rainfall is 48 to 72 inches, with an average temperature between 14-31°C. The significant temperature difference helps create dense bean quality, which greatly contributes to flavor. The coffee harvest season is mainly from mid-January to March. Currently, Kaqchiquel people still live in this region and maintain traditional farming methods. In total, there are about 4,000 farming families in this region, and coffee cultivation dates back to 1880.