Coffee first arrived in Panama in the 1740s through European traders, although early attempts in the lowlands failed. But in the 1820s settlers pushed into the western highlands and found success, due to the cooler mountain air and nutrient-rich soil, and by the 1900s Boquete had established itself as a serious coffee-growing region. In 1997 the Panomanian producers formed the Speciality Coffee Association of Panama, then launched the Best of Panama auction in 2012, which proved a real game changer for high quality Panama coffees, establishing Panama as a serious producer of high quality Speciality coffees.

The Boquete region is particularly suited to the production of high quality arabica coffees due to the altitude, volcanic soils and a climate ideally suited to the cultivation of coffee.  Although the terrain ranges between 1000m and 2800m, most of the farms are located at 1500m -1600m above sea level. Cool nights and daily mists, that the locals call bajareque, means cherry ripening becomes a slow process, which results in higher acidity and more complexity in the cup. Typically this results in arabica coffees with brightness, sweetness and aromatic depth.

Our Panama Boquete is sourced from the La Eleta Hermosa Estate, Pierdra de Conidelas in the Boquete region of the Chirique Province of north western Panama. Originally established in 1978 by Don Fernando Eleta Almaran, the Eleta Estate primarily produced agricultural crops and livestock. In 1995 the company began to specialise exclusively in coffee. Since then the estate has grown to 420 hectares, with 200 hectares of Bourbon, Cactuai, Geisha, Maragogype, Pacamara and Tupica coffee varieties grown. State of the art technolgy is used to ensure a sustainable, environmentally concious coffee processing operation. 

The estate employs 50 people all year round, and during harvest provides employment for around 700 additional workers, many coming from indigenous communities around Panama, primarily from the Ngabe-Bugle indigenous area. Honouring the founder's spirit for community service, in 2000 the Eleta Estate established 'La Escuelita Cafe de Eleta' (Cafe Eleta's Little School), a daycare and school project developed to prevent child labour and to promote education. Starting with one room, the school has grown to serve the wider community,  with a three classroom schoolhouse where children can receive healthy meals and support with maths and reading, as well as medical attention.

The Cup Profile: Lovely Fruity Sweetness, Chocolate with Floral Notes.

This coffee is Medium-Dark roasted, so it can be brewed as a Filter/Cafetiere coffee, and Espresso or brewed through a Bean-to-Cup machine.

NOTE: QUANTITY DISCOUNTS DO NOT APPLY TO THIS SIZE