Panama Coffee Cultivation: Introduction to Boquete Region's Mariposa Coffee Beans

Panamanian coffee enjoys high recognition in the global coffee market, especially the Geisha variety. In 2005, Hacienda La Esmeralda distinguished itself with outstanding results in the Best of Panama (BOP) competition and auction, where Geisha broke the existing coffee auction record, making both Hacienda La Esmeralda and the Geisha variety famous worldwide.

Panama is located in Central America, bordering Colombia and Costa Rica, with the Pacific Ocean to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north. It forms an S-shape connecting North and South America. The terrain throughout Panama is undulating with numerous valleys and ravines. Apart from the coastal plains in the north and south, most of the country consists of mountainous regions. Located near the equator, Panama has a tropical maritime climate with humid days and cool nights, with average annual temperatures ranging from 23-27°C. The year is divided into dry and rainy seasons, with annual precipitation reaching 1500-2500 millimeters. Combined with volcanic soil, Panama possesses excellent conditions for coffee cultivation.

Panamanian Coffee Development

Coffee seedlings arrived in Panama in the 19th century with the first European colonists, but at that time, there was no concept of specialty coffee—people were more focused on yield. However, Panama's production was only one-tenth that of its neighboring country, Costa Rica. Growers began to realize the potential of specialty coffee development, leading to the establishment of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP), which gained fame through participation in various coffee competitions. When international attention was garnered, the Best of Panama (BOP) competition and auction were created, quickly establishing Panama's reputation and foundation for producing high-quality coffee beans. This also elevated the Geisha variety to fame and continuously set new records in international coffee bean bidding prices.

Boquete Growing Region

The main coffee growing regions are divided into Boquete, Volcán-Candela, and Renacimiento. These regions are all located around three of the country's volcanoes: Volcán Barú, El Valle, and La Yeguada.

Boquete is Panama's most famous coffee growing region, located on the eastern slopes of the Barú volcano. The mountainous terrain creates unique microclimates. Coffee is cultivated in areas ranging from 1200 to 2000 meters above sea level, with temperatures between 11-27°C. The significant temperature variation, combined with altitude, microclimates, and volcanic soil, results in coffee with exceptionally rich flavors. The Boquete region is also home to many renowned estates, such as Hacienda La Esmeralda and Elida Estate.

Geisha, Caturra, Catuai

Currently, besides Geisha, Panama also cultivates other varieties such as Caturra, Catimor, and Typica.

FrontStreet Coffee currently offers a particularly special Panamanian coffee bean—Flor de Mayo. This coffee bean is composed of three varieties: Geisha, Caturra, and Catuai. FrontStreet Coffee's research reveals that previously, in pursuit of higher yields, Geisha trees were planted mixed with Caturra and Catuai varieties. However, harvesting Geisha separately proved difficult, so they were collected together. Later, to highlight the characteristics of Geisha, growers began to meticulously collect the three varieties separately, only to mix them again during final export processing. The yield of these three varieties is generally moderate, and they are susceptible to leaf rust disease, but they are highly suitable for cultivation in high-altitude areas, where higher altitudes result in better flavor profiles.

FrontStreet Coffee Panama Boquete Flor de Mayo Coffee Beans

Region: Boquete
Altitude: 1400-1700 meters
Varieties: Geisha, Caturra, Catuai
Processing: Washed
Flavor Notes: White floral notes, lemon, berry, hazelnut, honey

FrontStreet Coffee's Flor de Mayo coffee beans from Panama's Boquete region undergo washed processing and are roasted to a medium-light level. FrontStreet Coffee uses V60 brewing with a 1:15 ratio at 92°C water temperature. After brewing, you'll notice white floral aromas. Upon tasting, you'll experience lemon-like acidity, along with berry and grape flavors, complemented by a hazelnut-like aftertaste. The mouthfeel is as smooth and delicate as honey.

Important Notice :

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Tel:020 38364473