What are the characteristics of Panama sun-dried Gesha - Introduction to the flavor characteristics of Elida Estate Gesha coffee

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Introduction to FrontStreet Coffee's Panama Elida Geisha

Originating from Gesha in Ethiopia, Panama has become synonymous with the Gesha variety (most Panamanian producers use the spelling Geisha), and its reputation and lucrative returns have positioned Gesha at the high end of the specialty coffee trade.

The Lamastus family has been a major force in Panama's specialty coffee development, and its owner, Wilford Lamastus, Sr., was a key figure in establishing the auction organizer, the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama. Before breaking the auction price record this week, the Lamastus family's natural-processed "Elida Geisha Green Tip" had achieved the highest score ever in the BoP green bean competition in May.

Elida Geisha ASD set a record of $1029 per pound of coffee. After the auction closed, Wilford Lamastus Jr. wrote on Instagram: "From the days when my father and his several colleagues began pushing to establish the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama, to setting an auction record 29 years later, making Panama Geisha a global brand. Today Elida won the Best Coffee Award, but the honor actually belongs to the entire Panama specialty coffee industry, because in the long run, consumers will remember the origin and the variety, not individual producers."

Japan's Saza Coffee led this purchasing consortium, while the American buyers included Klatch Coffee (Rancho Cucamonga, California), Willoughbys Coffee & Tea (Branford, Connecticut), and Dragonfly Coffee Roasters (Boulder, Colorado).

Earlier this year, Klatch Coffee made headlines worldwide by positioning last year's BoP top coffee - another natural-processed Gesha from the Lamastus family's Elida estate, sold at $803 per pound - as the most expensive coffee ever.

Coffee Details

Region: Boquete

Altitude: 1,700-1,875 meters

Variety: Geisha

Soil Type: Volcanic soil

Grade: SHB

Processing: Natural processing

Harvesting: Hand-picked

Average Temperature/Rainfall: 22°C/2,800mm

Flavor Profile

Dry Aroma: Floral notes, premium dark cocoa, cherry, honey, blueberry

Wet Aroma: Passion fruit, apricot, raspberry, cantaloupe

Cupping: Tropical fruits, sweet citrus, pineapple, sugarcane, raisins, honey, strawberries, with a delicate and refined texture

36 Aromas: Toasted bread, almond, cream, black currant, vanilla, woody notes, honey, coffee pulp

Knowledge Extension

Elida Estate achieved outstanding results at the 2018 BOP (Best of Panama), winning three major awards: Geisha Natural Category Champion, Geisha Washed Category Champion, and Estate of the Year. The Green Tip Washed Geisha also broke the 2016 BOP Elida Green Tip Washed Geisha record of 94.15 with an exceptional high score of 94.66.

In Brief: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. We share without reservation, only hoping to help more friends fall in love with coffee. Every month we hold three low-discount coffee events, because FrontStreet Coffee wants more people to enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price - this has been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for six years!

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If a Panama natural Gesha like Elida is what inspires you, FrontStreet's Boquete Gesha is the most accessible way into that world. It comes from Boquete, the Panamanian town that gave rise to estates like Emerald and Elida, so the terroir behind it is exceptional. FrontStreet's Boquete Gesha carries the classic orange-honey character of Panamanian Gesha, releasing a fragrant white coffee-blossom aroma during brewing, with citrus, melon, and honey on the palate and a caramel note underneath. It suits pour-over, drip bags, cold brew, a clever dripper, and French press, and because it offers great value, you can explore Panama Gesha through several different brewing methods.

For another way into Panama Gesha, FrontStreet's Emerald Estate Green Label Gesha is worth considering. Emerald Estate's Gesha line divides into Red Label and Green Label, and the Green Label - originally called "Private Collection" and nicknamed for its green background label - does not emphasize detailed plot information the way the Red Label does. Instead, it blends lots from several plots to express Emerald Estate's signature high-altitude Gesha flavor, which also makes it more affordable and a very strong value. Expect the classic orange-honey Panamanian Gesha profile, an oolong-tea-like body, delicate fruit acidity, and clearly defined layers.