In recent years the very top coffees from Panama have been auctioned in the Best of Panama auction. The small lots being auctioned have already been distilled by a panel of professional cuppers from a larger group of entrants in a pre-auction competition. This live, internet auction is worldwide and attracts firms that seek exceptional coffees. This year 31 coffees were auctioned. In advance of the auction we roasted, cupped and compared all 31 in a process that takes a week. When finished we emerged with a small group of coffees we liked best and which we wished to acquire. The bidding was long, fierce and arduous and when completed we were successful at buying 2 of our picks.
Less than 800 pounds of Café Rita Isabel are available. This single plantation coffee was grown in Volcancito, Boquete, Panama's top coffee growing region, on the farm of Eduardo Urriola Real. Elevation is 5000 to 5500 feet. The coffees tree varietals are a mix of Catuai and Caturra (100% arabica). After harvesting, the coffee went through the wetmill process, a resting period and was later milled at the local Café Kotowa mill.
Cup Characteristics:Very bright and piquant with citrusy notes on the back of the palate. This coffee has a long finish with layers of flavor. Body is firm but in balance with the overall composition.
Quantity in Basket: none
Panama coffee facts:
Population (2006): 1.3 million people Coffee Production: 180,000 bags (60 kg)Country bag capacity: 132 pounds - 60 kgDomestic Consumption: 80,000 bagsCoffee Export: 100,000 bagsCultivated Area: 26,000 Hectares (64,200 acres)
Harvests: October - February
Arabica Introduced:Arabica was imported from Costa Rica in 1820.
Specialty Coffee Regions:Boquete near Volcan Baru, Chiriqui.
Grades: Strictly Hard Bean (SHB), HB.
Farms: About 30,000 farms.
Botanical Varietals: Typica, Caturra, Gesha.
Comments
Panama is a rising star in the specialty coffee world. In the Boquete in particular, farmers are taking Arabica coffee cultivation to new levels and recent auctions of small, specialty lots have garnered record, if not silly, prices. Nonetheless, some of the coffee is excellent. Gesha, a varietal that stems from Ethiopia, has been grown here with good success, yet other cultivars noted above, can produce superb results.
