The unique flavor of Panama coffee estate taste characteristics of the region Illetta estate introduction

The interaction of climate and environment creates fascinating flavors

Willem Boot, owner of Finca Sofía and Finca La Mula farms in Panama, also produces award-winning varieties of coffee. In February 2015, I went to Finca La Mula with Boot's professional manager and my friend Kelly Hartmann, a Panamanian native. In Panama in summer, January to April is much drier than when I first visited Panama. But Boot reminded me that when you get to the farm, you will find that "dry" is only relative. " This place is basically a forest with clouds. When clouds arrive, the temperature will drop sharply." Boot describes it that way. We climbed up the steep slopes of the estate through thick clouds that blanketed everything La Mula was a dense forest with large shade trees covering most of the planted area. There is a second layer of shade trees below them, and under this canopy are those rosewood coffee trees that are unique to their environment.

Boot tells us: "If cloud periods are regular and become a regular phenomenon, it indicates that this creates something unique for trees." Especially in the presence of fruit trees, plants respond and adjust to their environment. When sunlight is absent, the leaves get higher water supply, and the photosynthesis of the trees is slow, which makes the cherry mature longer, which makes the flavor stronger, especially in sweetness and acidity." Does humidity make it harder to grow? "It doesn't matter, we want these unique things to happen, and that's what makes these unique flavors happen," Boot said.

The dense forest ensured that the clouds persisted on the slopes. The combination of trees and clouds, combined with high altitude, allows coffee to grow in a cool, humid environment and unique geographical location to create unique flavors.

The Finca Nuguo estate has continued to shine on the world coffee scene, with the exception of some specialty coffees that won senior competitions, and beans used in the 2016 US barista champion Lemuel Butler competition. Finca Nuguo Estate is located in Chiriquí, western Panama, close to the Costa Rican border.

"The rain here is very heavy. Even in the driest season, it keeps raining here." José Gallardo, owner of Finca Nuguo, said: "I think the trees will like the rain, which means that the nutrition will be good all year. Water carries all the nutrients of the year into the root layer."