Long and Short Coffee - Esmeralda - Panama - Washed

We tasted cherry, vanilla, toffee & walnut. 89 out of 100 cupping score.

As with all Central American coffees, but particularly so with those from Panama, this Catuai is excellent both in filter or espresso.

The juiciness and sweetness of the cherry notes shine in espresso, so try this one straight up, or to provide a scrummy base to your milk drinks.

As for filter, this one works well in the cafetiere/french press — the immersion seems to extract all of the qualities of this coffee without getting bitter too easily. Go for a medium, possibly even fine grind — don’t go too coarse with this.

Quite possibly the most famous coffee farm in the world by modern standards, Hacienda La Esmeralda, famed for its multi award-winning coffees and setting many auction price records, is nestled high in the Boquete hills more or less straddling the active volcano and highest peak in Panama, Volcan Baru.

This particular coffee derives from the Palmira farm, which was the first piece of land the Peterson family purchased in 1967 and forms the centrepiece of the Hacienda La Esmeralda estate. Palmira specialises in the Catuai varietal which is indigenous to the region and well-loved for its nuanced brightness and clean cup.

All the coffee here is milled using the washed process, and all of the water used for milling is recycled. The farm, like all of those at Hacienda La Esmeralda, is certified by the Rainforest Alliance which aims to protect ecosystems, workers and local communities.

LETTERBOX friendly (single bag): YES