Introduction to Panama La Esmeralda Estate Coffee - What are Geisha Flavor Characteristics

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FrontStreet Coffee - Panama La Esmeralda Estate Geisha Coffee Introduction

La Esmeralda Estate

La Esmeralda Estate is located on a corner of Baru Volcano, so the coffee beans produced in this area were mostly named after Baru Mountain before they became famous. The area around Boquete has beautiful scenery, with many leisure hotels, villas, and vacation estates built along the important Rio Caldera River. La Esmeralda Estate is located in Jaramillo on the right side of this river, and later coffee was cultivated at higher altitudes in Cañas Verdes on the left side of the river. All of this is thanks to Rudolph Peterson's decision to purchase this property back then.

In 1964, Swedish-American financier Rudolph A. Peterson retired, moved to Panama, and purchased La Esmeralda Estate in Boquete, focusing on dairy farming. Having previously served as President of Bank of America, he was a major figure in the financial world of his time. Rudolph bought Hacienda La Esmeralda purely for vacation and later retirement use, probably never expecting that this estate would become world-famous and even become representative of Panama's specialty coffee estates.

In 1973, his son Price Peterson obtained a doctorate in neurochemistry in the United States but returned to Boquete to help his father run the farm. After taking over, Price segmented the market into three major brands based on altitude and microclimate, cupping performance, and cultivated varieties (Esmeralda Special, Diamond Mountain grows, Palmyra). Starting in 2012, Geisha was added, becoming the fourth brand.

Esmeralda Special is an independent auction organized by La Esmeralda Estate itself, completely featuring Geisha beans. According to the production area names, each area is further subdivided into small batches for auction. Only Geisha batches that the estate puts forward for independent auction can use the Esmeralda Special name. Since 2013, Esmeralda Special has had nine batches.

Red Label [Auction Batches]

Cultivation altitude: 1,600-1,800 meters

Cupping score: 90 points or above

Mainly produced from Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes estates, also the highest quality Geisha beans

Geisha beans harvested from the highest points of the Boquete mountains, possessing special, bright floral aromas and citrus fragrance

Green Label [Reserve Batches]

Cultivation altitude: 1,600-1,800 meters

Micro-batch coffee beans from three different estates: Jaramillo, Quiel, and Cañas Verdes

Although not the highest-grade auction beans, this grade of Geisha beans still carries the classic flavor profile of Geisha coffee - floral, fruity, citrus acidity, and a thick, juicy mouthfeel

Selecting perfectly ripe coffee fruits creates rich sweetness, bright fruit acidity, and delicious flavor

Blue Label [Selected Batches]

Cultivation altitude: 1,500 meters

Blended beans from three different estates: Jaramillo, Cañas Verdes, and El Velo

Slight floral notes, fruit acidity, and sweetness, with a relatively less full body compared to Red Label, clean and refreshing

Knowledge Extension

[La Esmeralda Estate] includes 4 farms: Cañas Verdes, El Velo, Jaramillo, and Palmira. All coffee beans are sent to these 4 farms for post-processing.

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