Panama Elika Estate Honey Process Coffee Review

If you’ve tried Panamanian coffee before, chances are it was either a washed Geisha or a bright, fruity lot—but there’s more to this high-altitude region than just those. What makes Panama’s lesser-known farms stand out? This review focuses on a specific microlot from Elika Estate, grown using a unique honey process that balances cleanliness with pronounced sweetness.

The key to Elika Estate’s signature cup? A medium-light roast stopped just before first crack ends, highlighting floral aromas, clean acidity, and a honey-like mouthfeel—without heavy body.

Who Is Elika Estate?

Elika Estate (also written as ELIKA ESTATE or ) is a historic coffee farm in Panama’s Boquete region, located in the Alto Quiel area at elevations between 1,670 and 1,725 metres above sea level. The farm has been in the Lamastus family since 1918, named after Robert Louis Lamastus’s wife, Elida. Though not as famous as some neighbours, Elika has consistently competed in the Best of Panama (BOP) auctions with strong results.

What Makes Elika’s Coffee Different?

While the farm grows both modified Caturra and small amounts of Bourbon, its most notable lot is a honey-processed coffee. Unlike traditional washed or natural processes, this honey method removes the outer skin but leaves some mucilage during drying—combining the clarity of washed coffee with the fruity, fermented sweetness of sun-dried lots. Elika applies this technique to create a cup that’s clean yet complex, with layered fruit and floral tones.

What Does the Coffee Look Like?

The beans are medium-small, round, and visibly coated with a sticky mucilage layer—the “honey” residue—giving them a muted, waxy green appearance. Their centre cuts (or “lines”) are less defined due to the honey process.

How Should You Roast It?

Elika Estate recommends a medium-light roast profile, ideally ending just before the start of first crack. This preserves the coffee’s inherent floral notes and vibrant acidity while ensuring a well-rounded, smooth body. Over-roasting can mute the delicate honey and citrus characteristics.

What Flavours Should You Expect?

When brewed, the dry fragrance offers elegant, low-toned floral notes—not the sharp, rising jasmine of Yirgacheffe but a softer, more lingering aroma. The honey treatment adds a distinct sweet note to the dry scent. Once brewed, the cup opens with a gentle acidity, a soft berry-like brightness, and a honey-like sweetness on the palate. The mouthfeel is rounded, more substantial than typical Panamanian honey lots, with a finish that lingers with cocoa-like dryness and a refined floral tone. Though Panama coffees are often criticised for lacking body, this lot bucks the trend with a satisfying smoothness.

Why Does Processing Matter So Much?

The honey process used by Elika strikes a balance between the clean cup of washed coffee and the bold sweetness of natural-processed beans. By removing the skin but retaining part of the mucilage during drying, this method allows for fermentation-driven flavours without the over-fermented profile of full naturals. The result is a coffee that’s both approachable and complex, ideal for pour-over or drip brewing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Elika Estate honey process?

Elika Estate’s honey process involves removing the coffee cherry’s outer skin but leaving most of the mucilage intact during drying. This hybrid method combines elements of washed and natural processing, resulting in a cup that’s clean and bright yet carries pronounced honey-like sweetness and fruit depth.

Where is Elika Estate located?

Elika Estate is located in Panama’s Boquete region, specifically in the Alto Quiel area, at elevations ranging from 1,670 to 1,725 metres above sea level. It has been owned by the Lamastus family since 1918.

What coffee varieties does Elika Estate grow?

The estate primarily grows a modified Caturra variety, with a small amount of Bourbon also cultivated on-site. Most of its award-winning lots, including the featured honey process, come from Caturra.

How should I roast Elika Estate honey process coffee?

For best results, roast Elika Estate’s honey process coffee to a medium-light level, ending the roast just before the first crack begins. This preserves its floral aromatics, clean acidity, and honey-like sweetness.

What flavours does Elika Estate honey coffee have?

The coffee features a clean, delicate acidity with floral notes, soft berry-like brightness, and a distinct honey-like sweetness. The mouthfeel is round and smooth, with a cocoa-like dry finish and lingering floral tones.

What makes Elika Estate different from other Boquete farms?

Though less famous than neighbours like Hacienda Esmeralda, Elika Estate has a long history (since 1918) and has earned recognition in the Best of Panama competitions. Its honey process lots offer a balanced, clean, and sweet profile distinct from the region’s often more acidic or fruity offerings.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Honey Process Fans

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Panama Boquete Honey Process for a similar balanced cup with floral and sweet notes. For something brighter, their Panama Geisha Washed (Esmeralda-style) highlights crisp citrus and stone fruit. Or explore their Panama Boquete Washed for a clean, classic profile. All showcase Panama’s high-altitude terroir. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.