Panama Coffee Beans

The history of Panamanian coffee dates back approximately 50 years after Panama's independence from Spain, around the 19th century, brought in by European immigrants. However, coffee only began to play a significant role in Panama's economy over the past two decades.

Origin and Rise of Geisha Coffee

In 1963, Don Pachi first introduced the Geisha variety to Panama from the CATIE Agricultural Research Station in Costa Rica, initially intending to combat the devastating coffee leaf rust disease. Unfortunately, it failed to achieve its original purpose, and Geisha coffee remained obscure for decades, growing silently on a handful of Panamanian farms.

The breakthrough came in 2002 when Daniel Peterson, owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda, discovered that Geisha plants originally used as windbreakers at the highest elevations of his farm produced coffee cherries with exceptionally elegant citrus aromas and sweet flavors. He subsequently planted this variety separately and entered it into the 2004 "Best of Panama" competition. Geisha coffee quickly gained fame, described by one judge as "God in a Cup." Since then, Geisha coffee has consistently won top prizes, fetching higher prices each year. Today, Geisha has become one of the most celebrated coffee varieties worldwide, synonymous with premium specialty coffee. Despite being grown globally, Panamanian Geisha remains unparalleled, with its distinctive terroir-driven character recognized universally.

Panamanian coffee beans, particularly Geisha, are renowned for their balanced acidity, delicate flavors, and intense aromas of citrus and floral notes.

Panama Coffee Regions

Panama, the southernmost country in Central America, is uniquely positioned between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, bisected by the Panama Canal. This geographic location creates an ideal environment for coffee cultivation, characterized by distinctive microclimates and volcanic soil.

Panama's primary coffee-growing regions surround three volcanoes:

• Volcán Barú
• El Valle
• Le Yeguada

These areas benefit from rich volcanic soil, unique microclimates, and breezes from both oceans. A northern wind phenomenon, locally known as "bajareque," produces a fine mist when crossing mountain ranges. This mist cools temperatures on the farms, slowing down the maturation of coffee cherries, allowing them to develop enhanced sweetness and complex flavors.

According to USDA data, over 80% of Panamanian coffee is Arabica, while the remaining 20% is Robusta. Robusta is mainly grown at lower altitudes, including regions such as Coclé, Panama Oeste, Colón, Veraguas, Herrera, Los Santos, Bocas del Toro, Panama Este, and Darién.

The renowned Panamanian specialty coffee regions are:

• Boquete
• Volcán
• Renacimiento
• Santa Clara
• Piedra de Candela

Coffee Varieties in Panama

Panama's excellent climatic conditions allow producers to cultivate various premium varieties such as:

• Catuai
• Caturra
• Maragogype
• Pacamara
• Mundo Novo

However, Geisha remains Panama's most famous variety. Panamanian Geisha coffee can be classified into two primary types:

• Green Tip Geisha: Characterized by higher acidity, vibrant floral aromas, and sweet flavors.
• Bronze Tip Geisha: Lower acidity but richer body and flavor intensity.

Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP)

The Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) was established in 1997 to promote specialty coffee and enhance coffee quality in Panama. One year after its founding, SCAP organized the inaugural Best of Panama (BOP) coffee competition in 1998, introducing Panama’s coffees to global markets through the first online international auction in 2001, where reaching a price of $2 per pound was considered remarkable.

In 2004, Hacienda La Esmeralda’s Geisha coffee broke auction records at $21 per pound, marking a turning point for Panama’s coffee industry. Subsequently, in 2007, another Hacienda La Esmeralda coffee set another milestone at $130 per pound.

In 2018, Lamastus Family Estates coffee reached a price of $803 per pound. In 2019, prices exceeded four digits for the first time, reaching $1,029 per pound.

The year 2020 saw another world record set by Finca Sophia’s washed Geisha coffee, commanding an astonishing $1,300.50 per pound. These continuous record-breaking achievements underline the exceptional quality and global reputation of Panamanian coffee.