Beans

10 Best Panama Coffee: Demystifying the World's Most Expensive Coffee

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Many countries boast their coffee exports, but we’re going to explain why you should remember Panama coffee. The country of Panama, located at the bottom of Central America, features a rich tropical landscape with a rich history and modern culture built by its indigenous people, European colonization, and American influence.

How we Choose the Best Panama Coffee Beans

When it comes to selecting the finest Panamanian coffee beans, there's an art and science that goes beyond mere taste. First and foremost, the elevation at which the coffee is grown plays a crucial role; beans cultivated at higher altitudes, like those from the renowned regions of Boquete and Volcán, are often richer in flavor and aroma. The method of processing is another key factor. While traditional sun-dried methods have their own rustic charm, modern innovations like honey processing and anaerobic fermentation bring out unique, complex flavors that are a hit among coffee connoisseurs. We also pay close attention to the varietals; Geisha and Typica beans, for instance, are highly sought after for their exceptional quality. Lastly, but certainly not least, we ensure that our beans come from farms that practice sustainable agriculture, because great coffee shouldn't come at the expense of our planet. So when you buy Panamanian coffee beans from us, you're not just getting a cup of coffee; you're experiencing the pinnacle of what this beautiful country has to offer in every sip.

  • Elevation Matters: Beans from higher altitudes like Boquete and Volcán offer richer flavors.
  • Processing Techniques: Traditional and modern methods each contribute unique flavors.
  • Varietals: Geisha and Typica beans are highly prized for their quality.
  • Sustainability: Choose beans from farms that practice sustainable agriculture.
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Panama Coffee: Reviewed & Rated

Geisha Coffee Costa Rica - Volcanica

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4.3 out of 5
Geisha Coffee Costa Rica - Volcanica

Geisha Coffee from Costa Rica is a highly prized varietal characterized by a soft, delicate profile and quietly complex aromatics. It has gentle acidity, a medium body and a silky mouthfeel. Flavor is particularly rich chocolate, with a long, lingering finish. These medium roasted beans have a remarkable taste with a low caffeine content. They are fresh roasted and immediately packed and sealed to assure freshness. 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed.

  • 100% Pure Geisha Coffee from Costa Rica
  • Rich chocolate notes
  • Medium roasted whole beans
  • 30% less caffeine than other coffees
Why we like it
  • Highly prized varietal
  • Gentle acidity
  • Medium body
  • Silky mouthfeel
  • Long, lingering finish
  • Fresh roasted
  • Immediately packed and sealed to assure freshness
  • 100% Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed.
Why we don't like it
  • Limited supplies
  • Low caffeine content

Nostalgia Coffee - Colombia Geisha Allium

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4.8 out of 5
Nostalgia Coffee - Colombia Geisha Allium

The Nostalgia - Colombia Geisha Allium is a coffee that captivates with its balanced and vibrant nature. Unlike its predecessors, the Baby Dragons and Sudan Rume, this Geisha Allium strikes an exceptional equilibrium. Resembling the stunning and colorful Allium plant that thrives in Colombia's high altitudes, this coffee's exquisite beauty is a result of meticulous care, a touch of fortune, the creativity of its producer, and the skill of its roaster.

The processing of this Geisha involved a hybrid washed method, beginning with the meticulous hand-picking of cherries at the peak of ripeness. Following the harvest, the cherries undergo a 48-hour fermentation period in anaerobic tanks, followed by de-pulping and another 96 hours of fermentation. After the second fermentation, the coffee is mechanically dried for 72 hours. This intricate process results in a meticulously crafted coffee, reminiscent of the uniqueness of each Allium plant found in the wild.

Why we like it
  • Balanced and vibrant
  • Unique processing method
  • Lively acidity
  • Butter-like mouthfeel
  • Floral hints and fruity pops
Why we don't like it
  • Limited availability
  • Higher price point

Hayman Coffee - Panama Geisha Coffee Beans

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4.5 out of 5
Hayman Coffee - Panama Geisha Coffee Beans

Hayman Coffee brings you 100% pure Panama Geisha coffee beans, medium roasted in small batches on the same day they are shipped. Expect a singular jasmine aroma, with mango and mandarin flavor notes. Perfect for coffee lovers, our Gesha coffee comes in a beautiful box, making it a great addition to gourmet gift baskets.

  • 7 Ounces/200 grams (Pack of 1)
  • Arabica Coffee
  • Medium Roast
Why we like it
  • Pure Panama Geisha Coffee
  • Gourmet Coffee Whole Bean
  • Fresh Roasted Coffee
  • Perfect Gift For Coffee Lovers
  • Commitment to Environment and Community
Why we don't like it

Panama Coffee Boquete Region Whole Bean

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4.2 out of 5
Panama Coffee Boquete Region Whole Bean
This is a high-quality coffee from the Boquete region of Panama, freshly roasted and packaged directly into a 16-ounce bag. The whole bean form ensures that you get the freshest possible flavor and aroma from your brew. It's a joy for coffee aficionados to relish a unique flavor profile that is both robust and full bodied.
Why we like it
  • Freshly roasted for optimal flavor
  • Packaged as whole beans for freshness
  • Unique, full-bodied flavor profile
  • Directly sourced from Boquete region of Panama
Why we don't like it

Fresh Roasted Coffee Panama Boquete

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4.2 out of 5
Fresh Roasted Coffee Panama Boquete
This Panama Boquete coffee offers a supreme and flavorful experience. The delicious medium roast is perfect for starting your day or for an afternoon pick-me-up. It's Kosher and whole bean, giving you the freshest coffee experience right at home.
Why we like it
  • Delicious medium roast
  • Kosher certified
  • Retains freshness with whole bean option
  • Offers a flavorful experience
  • Perfect for any time of use
Why we don't like it

Coffee Bean Direct Panama Boquete

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4.4 out of 5
Coffee Bean Direct Panama Boquete
The Panama Boquete beans from Coffee Bean Direct are top quality, providing a unique and complex flavor profile. Grown in rich volcanic soil at high altitudes, these beans carry a fruity, spicy flavor blend. With mild acidity and a moderate body, they're sure to make your taste buds sing.
Why we like it
  • High quality beans
  • Unique and complex flavor
  • Grown in rich volcanic soil
  • Mild acidity
  • Moderate body
Why we don't like it

Bean & Bean Panama Gesha

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4 out of 5
Bean & Bean Panama Gesha
Bean & Bean's Panama Gesha Coffee Beans provide a uniquely sweet and floral flavor. These fine, whole beans are freshly roasted to order, promising an unbeatable freshness. The 8oz packet contains a fair amount and will last you for several cups of coffee. Their quality and enticing flavor profile make for a unique and satisfying coffee experience.
Why we like it
  • Delivers a unique sweet and floral flavor.
  • Beans are freshly roasted to order ensuring maximum freshness.
  • Packaging of 8oz lasts for several servings.
  • High-quality coffee beans for a satisfying experience.
Why we don't like it

Panama Boquete Medium/Dark Roast Coffee Beans

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4.3 out of 5
Panama Boquete Medium/Dark Roast Coffee Beans
This Panama Boquete coffee from Good As Gold Coffee Roasters is a medium-dark roast delight. Its 12oz packaging ensures optimal freshness. Harmonizing rich, deep flavors with a clean finish, this coffee offers a luxurious drinking experience for any coffee aficionado.
Why we like it
  • Rich, deep flavors
  • Clean finish
  • Packaged for freshness
  • Ideal for coffee aficionados
  • From renowned Good As Gold Coffee Roasters
Why we don't like it

Panama Auromar Washed Geisha Whole Bean Coffee

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3.8 out of 5
Panama Auromar Washed Geisha Whole Bean Coffee
Panama Auromar Washed Geisha Whole Bean Coffee offers a delicate sweetness and rich complexity. With notes of honey, grapefruit zest, roasted cacao nib, and rose-like flowers in aroma, this coffee provides an intricately refined taste. The acclaimed flavor is balanced with a gently bright acidity and light syrupy mouthfeel, culminating in a resonantly flavor-saturated finish. Boasting high ratings in 2014 and 2015, this unique coffee, produced by Panama Coffee Gold Reserve, has distinguished itself as one of the world’s most premium coffees.
Why we like it
  • Delicate sweet and rich flavor
  • Notes of honey, grapefruit zest, and roasted cacao nib
  • Gently bright acidity for balance
  • Lightly syrupy mouthfeel
  • Resonantly flavor-saturated finish
Why we don't like it

Panama Bouquet Fresh Roasted Coffee

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4.6 out of 5
Panama Bouquet Fresh Roasted Coffee
Our 2-pound Panama Bouquet offers a superior fresh roasted coffee experience. Famed for its beautiful and delightful taste, the freshness of our coffee must be tasted to be fully appreciated. Freshly roasted coffee bean aromatics are more 'alive', offering a distinct difference from the usual 'supermarket style' pre-roasted coffee tastes. Our beans, roasted on a state-of-the-art roaster, are handpicked to showcase each bean's best flavor profile, providing you with the highest quality coffee.
Why we like it
  • Offers a unique, fresh taste unlike supermarket coffee
  • Beans are roasted on a state-of-the-art roaster
  • Beans are handpicked to best showcase their flavors
  • Freshly roasted on the day the order is placed
  • Allows customization in roasting level by customer request
Why we don't like it

Panama Coffee: Inspiration Gallery

Coffee-Growing Regions in Panama

Compared to larger countries in North and South America, Panama may look small on a map. Panama is slightly larger than Ireland — sitting at 29,100 square miles. But the country’s rich history includes its eventual victory in its fight for Independence, the American-bankrolled Panama Canal, and its proximity to other coffee-growing powerhouses. Its two major regions of coffee growth exist in one province: Chiriqui. If you’re considering traveling to Panama to taste the Panamanian gold, know that this is where you’ll have to go.

Coffee Production in Boquete and Volcán

Coffee Production in Boquete and Volcán, Panama

Region Key Features Varietals Famous Coffee Farms
Boquete
  • Located 37 miles from Costa Rica
  • Elevation: 1,000-2,800 meters
  • Population: ~20,000
  • Volcanic climate and soil
  • Introduced by Spanish colonizers
  • Geisha
  • Typica
  • Caturra
  • Catuai
  • Finca La Valentina
  • Lamastus Family Estates
  • Don Pepe Estate Coffee
  • Hacienda La Esmeralda
  • Jamarillo Special
Volcán
  • Nearby Boquete
  • Highest point: 3,474 meters
  • Tectonic activity as recent as 2006
  • Rich biodiversity
  • Pacamara
  • Mocca
  • Bourbon
  • Mil Cumbres Coffee Farm
  • Janson Coffee Farm
  • Finca Deborah

Boquete

Boquete has become one of the most prolific coffee-producing areas in Panama due to its Volcanic climate and geography. Located 37 miles from the political border with Costa Rica, the region rests between 1,000 and 2,800 meters (3,000 to 9,2000 feet) elevation and a population of around 20,000. The cooler temperatures at this elevation mixed with the moisture from the Pacific and the volcanic soil make it an incredible location for growing coffee. First brought by Spanish colonizers who established the first coffee plantations and agricultural farms, the crop flourished in the area. The coffee has outlived the various political affiliations the country has had over the years.

Varietals

  • Geisha
  • Typica
  • Caturra
  • Catuai

Famous Coffee Farms

Visitors can find famous coffee farms near plenty of mountain towns and rural areas, including Palmira, Volcancito, Horqueta, and the classic Jaramillo. Here’s what we recommend:

  • Finca La Valentina
  • Lamastus Family Estates
  • Don Pepe Estate Coffee
  • Hacienda La Esmeralda
  • Jamarillo Special

Volcán

Nearby Boquete, you’ll find the region of Volcán Baru with its towering volcanoes and fertile highland landscape. Constantly growing through tectonic activity as recent as 2006, the highest point in the country is in Volcán, sitting at 3,474 meters (11,398 feet). With the native jungles still intact, the rich biodiversity can only add to the moist, cool air and volcanic soil’s ability to produce incredible coffee beans. It’s no wonder tourist websites list coffee tours as one of the best things to do when visiting Volcán.

Varietals

  • Pacamara
  • Mocca
  • Bourbon

Famous Coffee Farms

There are a few different coffee farms that stand out in this region.

  • Mil Cumbres Coffee Farm
  • Janson Coffee Farm
  • Finca Deborah
  • Many lesser-known coffee farms also produce worthy coffee, so do some digging before booking a trip to a farm.

Don’t skip Panama City!

But if you’re traveling to see and taste the best coffee Panama has to offer, there’s one more region you need to hit. Panama City has a taste for coffee that may be unrivaled. If their mountainous highlands can create the most expensive raw beans in the world, you must ask yourself what their roasters can create. With the route to international luxuries traveling through the Panama Canal, you can bet the country’s capital benefits from some sweet deals on coffee. Journey to their local cafes to try a cup.  

Panama coffee plantation

The Geisha Variety

History and origin of Panama Geisha Coffee
The Gieisha has a long history that originally traces back to Ethiopia. But upon importing the bean from Africa, the Panamanian people — with their deep indigenous roots in coffee farming — were able to perfect and capitalize on this bean’s flavors. In the Boquete region, the Elida Estate harnessed the growing power of the volcanic soil, ideal climate, and high-altitude conditions when farming the Geisha.

Flavor profile and cupping notes
The Geisha is known around the world for its shocking taste on the tongue. The floral flavors that include hints of jasmine and lavender add a beautiful freshness to the coffee’s taste. However, the floral aromatics lead the zesty lemon and citrus undertones. And one of the most surprising features is how pronounced the flavors of honey, tropical fruits, or even subtle caramel notes that can be found in your brew.

Thousands of red coffee fruits

Traditional and Modern Processing Methods

Traditional Methods
Processing coffee beans starts when the beans still live inside the coffee cherry. In Panama, coffee farmers spread out the hand-picked cherries on large tables to utilize the sun-dried method. Some farms use raised brick or raised tables where the cherries are turned regularly to dry and avoid molding. Once dry, the fruity pulp is mechanically removed so the green coffee beans rest and wait for export. This method is seen as more traditional and requires less machinery.

Modern Innovations
More processing innovations have begun to crop up. Honey or natural processed coffee is growing in popularity around Central America, including nearby Costa Rica and El Salvador. In this honey natural process method, the growers de-pulp the cherries with a slight film of fruit left on the bean. The bean is then directly dried on a drying table (as opposed to being washed in a tank.) This allows less risk for over-fermentation, but the fermented and dried fruit leaves behind a sugary film around the coffee bean that’s comparable to honey. The latest technique in the coffee industry has gained popularity among connoisseurs and those participating in coffee competitions. Anaerobic fermentation is similar to the washed method, but the fermentation process is done in fully sealed and oxygen-deprived tanks. It’s experimental, but anaerobic coffees have incredible, surprising flavors.

Coffee Bean Processing Methods

Differences Between Traditional Methods and Modern Innovations in Coffee Bean Processing

Method Key Steps Advantages Disadvantages Popularity
Traditional Methods
  • Hand-picked cherries
  • Sun-dried on large tables or raised bricks
  • Mechanical removal of fruity pulp
  • Less machinery required
  • Lower risk of over-fermentation
  • Risk of molding
Traditional, especially in Panama
Modern Innovations
  • Honey or natural processed coffee
  • De-pulping with slight film left
  • Drying on table without washing
  • Anaerobic fermentation in sealed tanks
  • Less risk of over-fermentation
  • Unique flavors
  • Experimental
Growing in popularity, especially among connoisseurs and in coffee competitions

Economic and Environmental Impact

Economic Importance
Like most countries, their economies and environments work hand-in-hand. For example, the Panama Canal took away a large selection of the lowland Panama in favor of commerce contributing hugely to the country’s 63 Billion USD GDP. Alternatively, the country also has one of the highest percentages of forest cover in the world, covering 68 percent of the country’s total area. Those areas often coincide with indigenous territories, which maintain the strongest protections for their forests across Panama and thereby prevent deforestation. And as we mentioned above, the indigenous regions of Panama are where the country’s best coffee is grown.

Sustainable Practices
The indigenous growers built their coffee-growing practices through trial and error throughout generations. This growth isn’t built upon supplements or specific fertilizers, but rather creating coffee in a healthy ecosystem that requires a close connection to the land and yield. The coffee trees grow above lush grasses and fertile volcanic soil and beneath tall, unpruned avocado and banana trees. These tall banana and avocado trees provide shade and canopy coverage that allows birds, scientifically understood as key to healthy ecosystems, the ability to perch, nest, and feed. While the tall trees provide erosion control with their deep and sprawling roots, the birds handle the pest control and improve pollination. These organic, shady growth practices mean that water goes further through increased retention and every nutrient naturally in the soil is put to its best use.

panama coffee plantation

Coffee Culture in Panama

Coffee has long been something enjoyed in the homes or workhouses of the indigenous people. However, as the country’s economy began to boom and word got out about the incredible tourist potential, coffee shops sprung up. Now it’s hard to go to a mall or city without seeing advertisements for coffee shops pulling their specialty coffee or coffee farm tours to show you how it’s made. In the Boquet region there’s another homage to the dark brew, the Feria de Boquete. Otherwise known as the Boquete Flowers and Coffee Festival, this Panama festival fills the streets of this small town with food, decorative flowers, and an influx of celebrants. With the backdrop of countless coffee farms and gargantuan mountains, this festival certainly isn’t one to miss if you’re traveling to Boquet in January. With a small $2 entry fee there’s no excuse.

Panama Cultural Art

Brewing and Tasting Panama Coffee

When brewing any type of coffee, paying attention to the details is the best advice we can give. And with Panamanian Geisha or other coffee varietals, that advice holds. Geisha is some of the most expensive coffee in the world, so it’s best not to waste any. Pay close attention to your grind, allow your boiled water to reduce in temperature slightly, and use filtered water. And if we can add one last tip: taste it clean before you doctor it up. This coffee is prized for its taste without milk, cream, or sugar. For a truly complex flavor, fish out your pour-over or French press to highlight all the notes, background flavors, and additional nuance.
Tasting notes: And for this tenderly grown coffee, you’ll want nuance. The mineral-rich soil of Boquet or Volcan regions of Panama creates a robust bean that has a mouth-watering blend of floral, citrus, and even fruit flavors. Some farms grow flavors that feature peach tastes whereas others hold notes of apple, pear, and even black tea.

Conclusion

With an already incredible coffee culture and an understanding of coffee-growing practices, Panama has no limit to what it can achieve. Adding to their sustainable growing practices, the many different coffee processing methods allow for a wide variety of flavors. But if you’re considering tasting the Geisha varietal, complex and a variety of flavors won’t be an issue. And if you’re considering traveling to the city to taste Panamanian coffee, then be sure to check out their coffee tours in Volcan and Boquete and the wide variety of coffee shops in Panama City.

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