One of Panama's Finest Coffee Estates - An Introduction to Elida Estate Coffee Beans' Characteristics

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Panama Elida Estate

As the premier representative of Panama's finest coffee flavors, current estate owner Mr. Wilford Lamastus serves as the honorary chairman of the world's most prestigious coffee competition - Best of Panama (B.O.P). He mentions that he has been accompanied by coffee since childhood, and his understanding of the world's emotions and principles has been deeply shaped through coffee contemplation and insight. Just like his pursuit of perfection in production and meticulous attention to detail, such a coffee master naturally cultivates coffee flavors that are truly extraordinary.

The Lamastus family has created two records in the Best of Panama competition, becoming the biggest flavor winner of the 2018 B.O.P! Elida Estate's washed Geisha scored an exceptional 94.66 points, breaking the previous record of 94.15 points set in 2016 by another washed Geisha from Elida Estate. The natural Geisha set a new global auction price record at $803 per pound! Furthermore, they secured first place in both the natural Geisha and washed Geisha categories, becoming the first "double champion" in B.O.P history and winning the 2018 Panama Best Producer award!

Elida Estate is the Lamastus family's most renowned estate, founded in 1918. From the time Robert Lamastus, the founder of the family's coffee estates, planted the first coffee tree, it has now spanned a century. 2018 marked the 100th anniversary of Elida's founding, and the estate's name "Elida" comes from the name of the then-owner Robert Louis Lamastus's wife. The estate is located in the Boquete growing region, at nearly the highest altitude in all of Panama, with almost half of its area within a national protected park - making it a rare ultra-high altitude estate in Central America! The estate covers a total area of 65 hectares, with more than half located within the Baru Volcano National Park. Of this, 30 hectares are planted with coffee trees, while the remaining 35 hectares remain pristine forest.

Coffee is grown at altitudes ranging from 1,700 to 2,300 meters, primarily cultivating three varieties: Catuai, Typica, and Geisha. The processing plant is situated halfway up the mountainside, allowing coffee cherries to be transported to the facility immediately after harvesting to ensure their quality is not compromised. Of course, Elida's environment is also suitable for growing other high-quality temperate crops, especially tree tomatoes and some uncommon high-altitude fruits. Interestingly, the flavors of these fruits can often be found in Elida's coffee. Mr. Wilford has strict requirements for coffee cherry harvesting and meticulous management of all processes, investing significant human resources in the pursuit of perfection.

Elida Estate's coffee flavors are more intense and aromatically richer with more complexity than most Panama coffees. Of course, the ultra-high altitude terrain has its drawbacks - due to the large temperature differences between morning and evening, Elida Estate's coffee requires 5 years of nurturing after planting before the first harvest, making the waiting period considerably longer (coffee in typical regions only takes 3 years). Although plant growth is slower, it significantly contributes to the development of coffee flavors.

Knowledge Extension

Elida Estate achieved remarkable success at the 2018 Best of Panama (B.O.P), winning three major awards: double champion in both natural and washed Geisha categories, and Estate of the Year. The Green Top Washed Geisha scored an exceptional 94.66 points, breaking the 2016 B.O.P record of 94.15 set by Elida's Green Top Washed Geisha.

In Brief

FrontStreet Coffee is a dedicated coffee research establishment, delighted to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our sharing without reservation is solely to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Additionally, we hold three low-discount coffee events each month because FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price - this has been our mission for the past six years!

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