THE COFFEE BEANS

Coffee beans grown on Finca Alma are from the varietals Caturra and Catuai, at an altitude of approximately 1,650m above sea level.

Caturra is a mutation of the Bourbon varietal that is short with a thick core, and plenty of secondary branches. It grows well in high altitudes. The higher altitudes produce better quality, but production rate lowers.

Catuai is a cross plant between Mundo Novo and Caturra varietals. It’s another short plant with mainly primary branches, and is a high yielding plant that is suitable for heavy weather environments.

Although the high altitude and environmental conditions means a more limited supply of coffee beans, the result is a highly complex coffee that is well balanced in flavour, aroma and body. In fact, Brenes’ coffee has won several national and international awards.

Tasting Notes

Well balanced, yet complex coffee with notes of brown sugar, cocoa and raisins when hot. As it cools hints of citrus, green apple and grapes start to develop. This medium acidity and delicate-bodied coffee finishes clean and sweet.

 

LOCATION

Panama, officially known as the Republic of Panama, is located on the isthmus between Central and South America, with the Caribbean Sea and North Pacific Ocean on either side of it. Much like the country’s neighbours, Costa Rica and Colombia, Panama is home to some incredible coffee.

 

THE FARM

This Panama single origin comes from a farm approximately 2km from the Costa Rican border, located in the North West corner of the Chiriquí province in the region of Piedra La Candela, known as Finca La Aurora (Finca is Spanish for ‘estate’). This small, privately owned and operated farm has been run by Roberto Brenes and his family since 2006. They are dedicated to the production of high quality Geishas on Finca Auromar (named after Roberto’s daughter Aurora and his granddaughter Mar) and other SHB coffees on Finca Alma.

Finca La Aurora uses sustainable farming practices and is dedicated to preserving as much of the natural flora and fauna as possible, with approximately half their property remaining untouched highland tropical forest. Roberto even reforested parts of the farm with native flora when he took over, a move which is both practical and environmental in nature. Coffee thrives well in its natural conditions: the middle of the jungle on steep hillsides, with plenty of shade and a self-sustained microclimate with little to no variation from day to night.

                                                                                                                  

 

BEAN PROCESSING

The Panama Finca Alma single origin is processed with a natural washing process. All the coffee is processed/milled at a place called Auromar by Café de Eleta, a state of the art coffee plant mill which includes a modern lab for cupping and hand selection of the best coffees. One of the great things about Auromar is that most of the workers come from vulnerable ethnic backgrounds who lack material and social resources. This work environment provides them with facilities and educational opportunities.

To find out more about our upcoming Single Origins, see our Single Origins Production List. If you would like to subscribe to receive a new single origin coffee every fortnight or by arrangement, see our Premium Subscription page.