Where is Panama's Coffee Region Located? Where is the Renowned Elida Estate?

Central America: The Bridge Between Two Continents

Central America is the narrow landmass connecting South and North America. The countries in this region may not be large in area, yet they possess abundant natural resources. The terrain is dominated by highlands and mountains, with most of the land consisting of mountainous forest regions. Along the Pacific side extends a volcanic belt stretching over 1,300 kilometers.

Located near the equator, Central America benefits from its geographical position and topography, featuring diverse climates primarily tropical and Mediterranean. Combined with volcanic ash accumulation creating fertile soil, the region has developed a robust agricultural industry, mainly exporting agricultural products such as coffee and bananas. Consequently, several Central American countries have become renowned for coffee production, including Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama. Among these, Panama enjoys exceptional prominence in the global coffee market, particularly famous for its Geisha variety.

Panama's Coffee Journey: From Colonial Introduction to Global Recognition

In the 19th century, European colonists arrived in Panama, bringing coffee seedlings with them. However, the concept of specialty coffee did not exist at that time, with focus primarily on production volume. Panama's coffee production was merely one-tenth that of its neighboring country, Costa Rica. Later, as international coffee prices declined, Panamanian growers realized consumers were beginning to pursue high-quality specialty coffee. Consequently, they established the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) and participated in various specialty coffee exhibitions and competitions to build Panama's coffee reputation.

After gaining international recognition, the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama began organizing its own "Best of Panama (BOP)" competition, establishing Panama's reputation and foundation for producing high-quality coffee beans. Furthermore, in the 2004 Best of Panama competition, the Geisha variety achieved outstanding results, winning first place and bringing considerable fame to Geisha coffee beans, while continuously breaking records in international coffee bean auction prices.

Panama's Unique Geography and Climate

The ability to cultivate high-quality coffee is inseparable from Panama's unique geographical environment and climate. Panama is located in southern Central America, bordering Colombia to the east and Costa Rica to the west. The country features varied terrain with numerous valleys and ravines. Except for the plain regions along the northern and southern coasts, most areas are mountainous.

Due to Panama's proximity to the equator, it experiences a tropical maritime climate with humid days and cool nights. The average annual temperature ranges between 23-27°C, with distinct dry and rainy seasons throughout the year and average annual rainfall of 1,500-2,500 millimeters. Panama possesses numerous high mountains and volcanoes, abundant forest and river resources, and unique microclimates, providing ideal growing conditions for coffee and other agricultural crops.

Panama's Coffee Growing Regions

Panama is divided into 10 provinces and 5 indigenous regions, with specialty coffee primarily cultivated in the western Chiriquí Province. The main growing areas are Boquete, Volcán-Candela, and Renacimiento. The Boquete and Volcán-Candela regions surround the country's famous Chiriquí Volcano (also known as Barú Volcano), while Renacimiento is located in western Chiriquí Province near the Costa Rican border, primarily featuring the Talamanca Range.

Boquete: Panama's Most Famous Growing Region

Boquete is Panama's most renowned coffee-growing region, named after Boquete City and located east of Chiriquí Volcano. Chiriquí Volcano is the country's highest peak at 3,477 meters elevation, with plateaus and basins between the volcanic mountains. The slopes at elevations of 1,200-2,000 meters are primarily dedicated to coffee plantations.

Additionally, temperatures in this region range between 11°C-27°C, neither too cold nor too hot. The significant temperature variation allows coffee cherries to grow slowly, developing complex flavors. The region also benefits from moderate rainfall, fertile soil from volcanic ash, ample sunlight, and special local microclimates, enabling the production of high-quality coffee. FrontStreet Coffee offers a Geisha from the Boquete region, processed using the washed method and medium-roasted. It delivers lemon-like acidity, with bergamot and honey flavors, green tea-like sensations, and a refreshing口感.

This region hosts numerous renowned estates, such as Hacienda La Esmeralda, Duncan Estate, and Elida Estate. In this year's 2024 Best of Panama (BOP) competition, the Lamastus family received the Producer of the Year award. This family owns Elida Estate, El Burro Estate, and Luito Estate, with Elida Estate being the most famous among them.

Elida Estate: A Legacy of Excellence

The estate's history can be traced back to 1918. This farm is a property of the Lamastus family, and the farm's name "Elida" was the name of the farm owner Robert Louis Lamastus's wife at that time. It is currently managed by his son Wilford Lamastus.

Elida Estate covers a total area of 65 hectares, with more than half located within the Barú Volcano National Park. Of the estate's area, 30 hectares are planted with coffee trees, while the remaining 35 hectares consist of primary forest. Coffee cultivation ranges from 1,670 to 1,850 meters above sea level, making it one of Panama's highest-altitude coffee estates. Furthermore, Elida Estate's processing plant is situated on the mountainside, allowing coffee cherries to be transported to the facility immediately after harvesting, ensuring coffee cherry quality and thus producing high-quality coffee.

The estate primarily cultivates premium coffee varieties such as Geisha, Typica, and Caturra. In this year's BOP, Elida Estate's Geisha achieved 95.13 points, winning the natural process category championship. Currently, FrontStreet Coffee offers Catuaí coffee beans from Elida Estate, processed using the natural method. When brewed, it reveals a subtle wine aroma from the natural processing, with peach, raisin, and orange flavors, caramel-like sweetness, green tea-like mouthfeel, and high clarity.

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