Panama Boquete Region | Flavor Profile and Brewing Guide for Finca Altieri's Washed Catuai SHB

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Panama Boquete Growing Region | Finca Altieri Washed Catuai SHB Flavor and Brewing Guide

Finca Altieri owner Eugene P. Altieri is a New York-born American who has lived in Panama for over 40 years. He owns two estates, both located in the Boquete region. One estate has a relatively low average altitude of 1,350 meters, while the other is at 2,000 meters. The coffee varieties grown include criollo, caturra, catuai, catimor, and geisha. He has been very successful in managing these two estates, and in recent years, he has received awards from the Best of Panama (BOP) coffee competition annually, continuously improving coffee production techniques.

As coffee quality improved, so did the quality of life for his coffee farmers and employees, who are local indigenous people. Initially, improvements were modest. Eugene and his management team implemented a forward-looking plan that has rapidly improved the quality of life for these coffee farmers and employees. Now, each coffee farmer and employee family has an independent apartment with private rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. Previously, these coffee farmers and employees did not have such living facilities, but Eugene and his management team required each family to sign an agreement prohibiting improper use of these facilities and hardware. The entire community manages itself completely, with management committees elected by these families to maintain the cleanliness of the living environment. Families also participate in weekly religious services together, and women participate in sewing classes, selling handmade home decor products to increase family income. It's evident that Eugene and his management team have a deep-rooted commitment not only to producing high-quality coffee but also to being a successful model for improving the lives of coffee farmers and employees.

Finca Altieri, located in the Boquete region of Panama, is currently operated by owner Eugene P. Altieri. In recent years, it has received unanimous acclaim from international judges in the Best of Panama competition. It is a remarkable coffee estate that has also been selected by competitors in world coffee competitions, winning championships.

Finca Altieri is situated among some of the best coffee-growing areas. To achieve this goal, they built family housing, with each worker and his family receiving an apartment. The apartments feature complete kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms, with all personal hygiene facilities provided in separate bathing areas for men and women. The housing is managed by a board of workers elected by the employees, who oversee the operation and cleanliness of all common areas in the living compound. All utilities are covered by the company. Families living in these apartments must sign contracts and comply with rules to improve their family's quality of life. All workers' wives have access to a sewing school where they produce clothing sold nationwide. Children receive private tutoring when needed to help improve any academic deficiencies they might have. As a result, many are now honor students. Families living in these apartments must sign contracts and comply with rules to improve their family's quality of life. All workers' wives have a sewing school where they produce clothes sold nationwide, and children receive private tutoring when needed to help improve any deficiencies they might encounter in school. As a result, many are now honor students.

Weekly meetings are held by qualified personnel in the residential area to improve religious and family values. This has almost eliminated problems of drinking and domestic abuse.

Doctors also visit the living compound every few months to provide physical examinations for everyone living there, ensuring that everyone receives proper medical care when needed.

This time, we are very fortunate to have obtained this high-quality washed batch at a very favorable price. Typica and Bourbon are known as the world's oldest original varieties, with flavors different from the currently popular Caturra and Catuai varieties on the market. Most carry the aroma of the original earth.

Panama coffee has been the most popular country in Central America for the past 5-6 years, mainly because of the cultivation of a coffee variety called Geisha that has driven coffee enthusiasts crazy. Therefore, Geisha is promoted as the world's top coffee bean. For this reason, the Panama Coffee Excellence Cup auction is separate from the Central and South America cupping competition and is also the earliest auction country, held in mid-May each year. Panama coffee is impressive not only in the Geisha variety but also continuously innovates in mid-stage green bean processing. It not only has traditional water processing methods but also honey processing methods prevalent in neighboring Costa Rica.

Additionally, the gradually emerging natural process beans in Central America are also produced in small quantities by Panama coffee, attracting the attention of coffee professionals worldwide. Finca Altieri owner Eugene P. Altieri's Geisha coffee has had an impressive award-winning record in the Best of Panama (BOP) competition in recent years, demonstrating his commendable quality control. This batch of Finca Altieri Catuai Washed was also produced under this quality production management and is worth purchasing and tasting.

Coffee Information

Region: Boquete Growing Region

Variety: Catuai

Producer: Finca Altieri

Altitude: 1,350 meters

Grade: High Altitude Washed Premium (SHB)

Annual Rainfall: 1,800mm

Soil: Volcanic clay

Harvest: November-January

Award Records:

2017 Best of Panama (BOP) Natural Geisha Category 2nd Place

2017 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 14th Place

2016 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 6th Place

2016 Best of Panama (BOP) Natural Geisha Category 11th Place

2015 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 5th Place (Private Collection Geisha)

2014 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 2nd Place (Private Collection Geisha)

2014 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 3rd Place

2013 Best of Panama (BOP) Washed Geisha Category 5th Place

2013 Best of Panama (BOP) Traditional Category 10th Place

Flavor Description:

Complex fruit notes, vanilla, flowers, lemon peel, ginger-like aromas, sweet and sour black plum, rich and solid nutty sweetness that leaves a lasting impression. The first sip brings a very fragrant and delicate flavor, accompanied by subtle pear notes, followed closely by jasmine aroma. The characteristic intense mouthfeel of volcanic regions, with a rich body.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommended Brewing:

Dripper: Hario V60

Water Temperature: 90°C

Grind Size: Fuji Royal grinder setting 3.5

Brewing Method: Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, 15g coffee grounds. First pour 25g water, bloom for 25 seconds. Second pour to 120g water, then pause. Wait until the water level in the coffee bed drops to half, then continue pouring slowly until reaching 225g total water. Extraction time approximately 2:00.

Analysis: Using a three-stage brewing method to clearly distinguish the front, middle, and back-end flavors of the coffee. Because V60 has many ribs and drains water quickly, pausing during pouring helps extend the extraction time for washed coffee.

Important Notice :

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