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Introduction to Finca Carmen Estate in Panama's Boquete Coffee Region

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Panamanian coffee enjoys exceptional recognition in the global coffee market, particularly the Geisha variety. Through the Best of Panama (BOP) competition and auction in 2005, Geisha distinguished itself with outstanding flavor and performance, propelling this variety to international fame. Panama is located in the southern part of Central America.

Panama Coffee: Global Recognition and Geisha Excellence

Panama coffee enjoys extremely high recognition in the global coffee market, particularly the Geisha variety. In 2005, Geisha stood out with its exceptional flavor and performance through the Best of Panama (BOP) competition and auction, catapulting this variety to fame overnight.

Geography of Panama

Panama is located in the southern part of Central America, with an S-shaped territory connecting Costa Rica and Colombia. Additionally, it borders the Caribbean Sea to the east and faces the Pacific Ocean to the west, as its landmass connects North and South America.

Panama's entire territory features undulating terrain with numerous valleys and ravines. Besides the coastal plains, most areas are mountainous, and it boasts rich forest and river resources, as well as several volcanoes, providing ideal growing conditions for coffee trees.

Located near the equator, Panama has a tropical marine climate with humid days and cool nights. The average annual temperature ranges between 23°C-27°C, with average annual rainfall of 1500-2500 millimeters, primarily divided into dry and rainy seasons. Due to geographical influences, Panama possesses complex and varied microclimates. The environmental pattern from east to west allows cold air currents to flow through the central mountain range and converge above 1900 meters, creating a very unique microclimate in the Boquete and Volcán Candela regions. Furthermore, the surrounding land in these areas is nutrient-rich due to volcanic ash, and these fertile soils provide perfect cultivation conditions for coffee growth, making them the main production areas for Panama coffee.

Boquete: Panama's Premier Coffee Region

The coffee producing regions are mainly divided into Boquete, Volcan-Candela, and Renacimiento. These regions are all located around three volcanoes in the country: Volcán Baru, El Valle, and La Yeguada.

Boquete can be considered Panama's most famous coffee producing region, as it hosts numerous renowned estates such as Hacienda La Esmeralda, Duncan Estate, and Elida Estate. In recent years, many emerging estates like Abu have also gained prominence.

The main Boquete region possesses excellent coffee growing conditions. Coffee is cultivated at elevations between 1200-2000 meters, where temperatures range from 11°C-27°C - neither too cold nor too hot. The significant temperature difference allows coffee cherries to grow slowly and develop flavors. Moderate rainfall, fertile volcanic soil, abundant sunshine, and the local special microclimate enable this region to produce high-quality coffee.

Abu Estate: Premium Coffee Cultivation

Abu Estate is located on the southern slopes of the Baru Volcano National Park, where a typical tropical rainforest microclimate prevails. The soil here is fertile, deep, rich in organic matter, and has excellent drainage. Abu Estate has an average elevation of 1550 meters, with coffee grown under tree shade. The estate owner shows great respect for the environment and biodiversity. Additionally, Abu Estate enjoys a unique geographical location where sunlight frequently illuminates the entire estate, providing ample sunshine combined with the local unique climate, allowing the cherries grown here to develop rich flavors during the ripening process.

The name Abu Estate commemorates the owner's grandfather, José Guillermo Luttrell Tedman, with "Abu" being the Spanish abbreviation for "grandfather." Currently, the estate owner José Luttrell continues the family dream of cultivating high-quality coffee. The estate first participated in the BOP competition in 2017, achieving an excellent 6th place finish. Currently, the estate primarily grows Geisha, as well as varieties like Caturra and Catuai.

Currently, FrontStreet Coffee has purchased natural processed Caturra coffee beans from Abu Estate and conducted cupping. In the aroma, there are notes of slight fermentation, grape, red wine, and spice. Upon tasting, it reveals flavors of liquor-filled chocolate, black grapes, cherries, and nuts.