Introduction to Panama Don Julian Estate - Panama Coffee Guide - Panama Coffee Flavor

Panama Coffee Origins

Panama's formal coffee production began in the early 20th century, with cultivation concentrated in the country's westernmost valleys and mountains. The vast majority of the crop consists of mild-tasting Arabica, split roughly 82% Arabica and 18% Robusta. The Chiriqui highlands, sitting at 2,300-3,500 feet (700-1,070 meters), are recognized as Panama's finest Arabica region. Among these, the most celebrated specialty coffees come from the Boquete and Volcan growing areas, which have earned high ratings in international markets and repeatedly set price records.

Coffee Processing Traditions

Coffee grown here is said to display rich, captivating flavors with fruity notes and moderate acidity. This is largely because nearly every coffee tree in the area grows under shade trees, and the region traditionally dries green beans on raised beds. In addition, all farms in the area rely on manual work, using machinery only during wet milling. As a result, traditional techniques for seed preservation, cultivation, and pulp removal have been passed down through generations and are now combined with modern technology.

Don Julian Estate Pacamara

Run by Panama's talented estate owner Hea Burnesky, this operation produces two green bean varieties, both of which have won numerous awards in the Best of Panama competition under different names. One is Typica; the other is precisely the Pacamara from Don Julian Estate. The estate is also located in Panama's Boquete growing region, at an altitude of 1,650 meters, with excellent volcanic soil and a superb growing environment. Thanks to its advanced varieties and techniques, the green beans show impressive flavor characteristics.

FrontStreet Coffee's Recommended Brewing Parameters:

Pour-over: V60 dripper, Fuji R440 grinder setting 3.5, water temperature around 90°C

French Press: Recommended grinder setting 4, water temperature 90°C

Siphon: Recommended grinder setting 4, water temperature 90°C-91°C

AeroPress: Recommended grinder setting 3.5, water temperature 90°C

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If this introduction to Panama's estates has you curious about the country's signature style, FrontStreet Coffee's Boquete Washed Geisha is the most natural place to start. Grown at 1,600 meters in the Boquete region on fertile volcanic ash soil, it is an estate-level Geisha that delivers the classic Panama profile: jasmine florals, green tea, honey, citrus and orange.

For a fuller-bodied take on the same volcanic terroir, FrontStreet Coffee's Panama Washed Butterfly blends Geisha with Caturra and Catuai, bringing citrus acidity and jasmine aromatics that shine in both pour-over and cold brew. Both beans are roasted to order and show why Boquete remains the benchmark for Panamanian specialty coffee.