Introduction to Panama BOP Champion Estate Finca Aurora Estate Why is Aurora Estate Geisha Called Ironman Geisha

FrontStreet Coffee: Panama·Aurora Estate·Catalina Geisha

Country: Panama

Region: Volcán Region

Estate: Aurora Estate

Altitude: 1550-1650 meters

Variety: Geisha

Processing: Natural

Flavor Notes: Floral, Yellow Lemon, Strawberry, Guava, Berries, Oolong Tea Aroma

The Rise of Aurora Estate

As a Geisha enthusiast, have you heard of the term "Ironman Geisha"? If so, have you ever wondered what exactly "Ironman" means and what connection it has with Geisha? Without further ado, FrontStreet Coffee brings you another story of a top-tier Geisha estate—Aurora Estate.

Aurora Estate (Finca Auromar) was founded in 2006 by Roberto Brenes, making it only about ten years old. Compared to those prestigious estates with decades or even centuries of history, this is truly a "youngster." However, since 2013, when Aurora Estate first appeared in the Best of Panama (BOP) competition and won first place in the Washed category with its "Ironman Geisha," it has consistently appeared on the competition's shortlist year after year. Today, Aurora Estate not only boasts an impressive record of awards but has also gained worldwide fame for its premium Geisha production.

The Visionary Behind the Estate

Interestingly, behind this estate with its numerous achievements, Roberto is also an equally charismatic figure. Before entering the coffee industry, Roberto served as the CEO of the Panama Stock Exchange, making him a prominent figure in Panama's entire financial sector. Due to his radical political statements against the government in his youth, he was forced into exile in the United States. After obtaining an MBA from Columbia University in the US, he formally entered the banking and investment world. Then, approaching his sixties, he returned to his homeland Panama to take over the management of a coffee estate, which was part of his retirement plan.

Origins and Location

As land passed down through generations of Roberto's wife's family, the estate's name comes from their daughter (Aurora) and granddaughter (Mar), combined to form AUROMAR (Aurora Estate).

Like many renowned estates, Aurora Estate is located in the Volcán region, one of Panama's three major coffee-producing areas, situated in the valley on the western side of Barú Volcano. However, its geographical location is relatively special, as it is only about two kilometers from the border between Panama and Costa Rica. When FrontStreet Coffee observed on Google Maps, the entire estate is located in the northwestern corner of Panama's map, making it easy to identify.

Sustainable Cultivation Practices

The estate covers an area of 30.5 hectares, about half of which is native tropical rainforest. The average annual temperature here ranges between 16-25°C, with rainfall of 3500mm, plus its unique terrain, creating an excellent microclimate pattern. To maintain ecological balance between coffee cultivation and the original forest, Roberto led his team to reorganize the plantations within the estate, ensuring coffee trees have reasonable planting density, with altitudes ranging from 1570 to 1770 meters. Due to the rich vegetation species in the estate, the owner transplanted local plants such as bananas, avocados, and cedars next to the coffee trees to provide denser shade.

Roberto, who approaches everything with great enthusiasm, is also an "enthusiast" of triathlons and often participates in professional competitions. When naming the Geisha produced by the estate, he incorporated elements of this sport. For example, the washed batch Geisha that won the 2013 BOP was named "Ironman," which was translated as "铁人瑰夏" (Ironman Geisha) at the time, leading many people to subsequently refer to Aurora Estate's Geisha as Ironman Geisha.

Family-Inspired Naming

In addition to naming Geisha after his passion, Roberto also likes to incorporate family names into the estate's operations. For example, at the 2014 Best of Panama competition, Aurora Estate entered the BOP award list with a Camilina Natural Geisha, named after his beloved granddaughter. In 2020, Aurora Estate launched another high-scoring Geisha, Catalina, which made a strong comeback with its unique Geisha flavor. FrontStreet Coffee confirmed that its name comes from another of Roberto's adorable granddaughters.

Besides producing Geisha, Aurora Estate also has a farm dedicated to cultivating non-Geisha varieties, named after Roberto's partner's granddaughter, Alma, which means "soul" in Spanish. FrontStreet Coffee tasted the latest seasonal Natural Catuaí from the Alma plot, experiencing distinct butter cookie, chocolate, and hazelnut flavors, accompanied by the smoothness of black tea, with a very dense aroma.

FrontStreet Coffee: Panama·Aurora Estate·Alma Catuaí

Country: Panama

Region: Volcán Region

Estate: Aurora Estate

Altitude: 1525-1600 meters

Processing: Natural

Flavor Notes: Hazelnut, Cookie, Cream, Chocolate, Black Tea

Meticulous Processing Methods

Aurora Estate also pays great attention to the processing of natural coffee. Each year during the harvest season, the estate arranges for workers to select coffee cherries with optimal ripeness for manual picking, ensuring the fruits have higher sweetness. The fresh cherries are then promptly transported to a nearby processing facility, where they are evenly spread on raised drying beds equipped with shade cloths. Depending on weather conditions, the entire process takes approximately 25-30 days. The dried coffee beans are placed in a cellar that isolates moisture to rest for a period before hulling, with the purpose of giving the coffee higher cleanliness.

Cupping Experience: Catalina Natural Geisha

To taste the "colorful fruit candy" flavor described by judges, FrontStreet Coffee also acquired the freshly released Catalina Natural Geisha, adopting a medium-light roast to express the delicate floral and fruit aromas characteristic of Panama Geisha. On the 5th day after roasting, FrontStreet Coffee immediately conducted a cupping of this Geisha.

During the aroma evaluation phase, FrontStreet Coffee detected light, complex floral notes from this Natural Catalina, reminiscent of thyme, lily, jasmine, and other white flower families. The uplifting lemon-citrus notes intertwined with the sweet aroma of tropical fruits, creating a particularly pleasant mood.

Upon first sip, the coffee reveals floral-like fragrance, followed by intense fruit aromas of ripe strawberry, guava, and pineapple, with particularly prominent sweetness. As the temperature slightly decreases, the sweet and tart notes of berries such as blueberry, cherry, and grape begin to emerge. After swallowing, one can still experience an oolong tea-like aftertaste, with a very smooth mouthfeel. The finish is clear and persistent, making one unable to resist taking the next sip.

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