While there are plenty of amazing reasons to visit and/or live in Boquete, the famous Panama Boquete coffee scene is near the top of the list. The area is incredibly well-known for coffee farms, and this guide goes over what makes Boquete Panama such a hotspot for coffee.
Quick Facts
- Boquete is famous in the coffee world thanks to the many popular coffee farms nearby, and the fact that the area offers ideal conditions for growing high-quality coffee.
- These ideal conditions include the mineral-rich soil, the moderate temperatures compared to most of Panama, the high altitude, and more.
- It’s especially known for Geisha coffee, an ultra-premium and expensive type of coffee. While it’s grown in many places, Panama Geisha coffee is among the best on the planet.
- The area is full of amazing coffee farms to tour and/or buy the highest quality of coffee from.
Why is Boquete Famous For Coffee?
The Boquete area is famous for coffee due to the many coffee farms that exist in and around town, and the reason there are so many coffee farms is due to the ideal growing conditions that the area provides.
Firstly, the higher altitude in Boquete means that temperatures are slightly cooler than in many other parts of Panama, which is ideal for growing quality beans. Also, the nearby Volcan Baru has enriched the soil in this area with ash, which makes the soil more fertile and mineral-rich.
The area is also home to a weather condition that locals call “Bajareque”. It’s a fine, light, and gentle mist that is very beneficial to growing coffee crops. This is because it’s almost like a natural type of irrigation, and also slows down the ripening of coffee cherries to ensure they have a great flavor.
There are also many nearby farms where you can take a coffee tour Boquete Panama, to learn more about the production process and see some stunning scenery at the same time.
The World-Renowned Geisha Coffee
Boquete is also famous for its cultivation of Geisha coffee, which is among the most popular kinds on the planet. While it originated in Ethiopia, it has since been distributed to various parts of the planet.
Despite being grown in many countries around the world today, Panama is known for cultivating some of the best, thanks to the ideal growing conditions mentioned earlier.
Geisha coffee is one of the most expensive and sought-after types of coffee on the planet, and is known for having a unique flavor that’s a blend of sweet and floral notes. Also, Geisha coffee plants are low-yielding and challenging to grow due to their fragility, so there’s often not enough supply to meet the growing demand for this exclusive type of coffee.
But while this is one of the best-known and most popular Boquete Panama coffee varieties, it’s far from the only option. The farms in and around Boquete grow a variety of different coffee types for all tastes and budgets.
The Best Panama Boquete Coffee Farms
Now that you’re aware of why the Boquete area is so well-known for coffee, let’s take a closer look at some of the best and most important farms in the area.
Hacienda La Esmeralda
Hacienda La Esmeralda is the coffee farm that’s often credited with bringing Panama’s Geisha coffee into the spotlight, and helped it become as popular and expensive as it is today. It continues to grow and produce some of the best and most popular Geisha coffee on the planet, and has won several awards for the coffee it has grown.
The farm is also committed to operating sustainably, as it’s Rainforest Alliance Certified, which means it uses sustainable practices and follows strict standards to protect the environment and support nearby communities.
Casa Ruiz
For five generations, the Ruiz family has been growing coffee in a way that not only produces amazing coffee but also supports the local environment. Casa Ruiz grew from a single farm to an enterprise that grows, roasts, packs, and sells high-quality coffee.
The family has been making Ruiz Coffee Boquete Panama for many years, and has been offering guided visits and tours since 1996. The guided visits are very personal and hands-on, and show you everything there is to know about the company’s process, but also teach you about the history of coffee in Panama.
Kotowa Coffee
Another important farm in the area is Kotowa Coffee Boquete Panama. The farm is a true pioneer in the industry, and has been in it since 1913, which is when the company’s first generation of coffee growers settled in Boquete.
The award-winning farm still grows, produces, roasts, and exports coffee to this day, and cultivates both traditional and exotic coffee varieties. It also established one of the first coffee mills in the entire country, which still operates today.
Altieri Specialty Coffee
The Altieri Specialty Coffee farm in Boquete has a reputation for not only growing and selling high-quality coffee, but also doing it in a way that supports the community that makes it all happen. For example, it offers housing, support, and healthcare initiatives for all workers.
Outside of offering award-winning specialty coffee, this farm also offers several different tours and experiences for you to enjoy. You can tour the plantation and operations center, take a guided tasting, learn about the history of Panamanian coffee, and more.
Don Pepe Estates
Last but certainly not least, Don Pepe Estates is a family farm that’s been in operation since 1898. It grows and sells various types of coffee, and the products meet the highest export standards, and thus are enjoyed in many countries around the world.
The farm is located just beneath Volcan Baru, and it uses a variety of methods to process coffee, including a natural process, a “honey” process, and a washed coffee process. It also opens its doors to visitors and lets you tour throughout the farm to learn about the history of the farm, find out more about the different types of processing, and, of course, taste some delicious coffee.
FAQs: Panama Boquete Coffee
Want to learn more about coffee in Boquete Panama? If so, don’t hesitate to check out these common questions and their answers.
What is a coffee tour in Boquete Panama?
A coffee tour in Boquete is an experience that lets you visit coffee farms and learn about the coffee production process. You’ll often get to walk through the facilities and grounds, learn more about the different stages of production, and even get to sample some of the coffee yourself.
Is coffee expensive in Boquete?
It depends. There are plenty of cheap places to buy and enjoy an affordable cup of coffee in the area, but some coffee in and around Boquete (especially the famous Geisha coffee) can be quite pricey.
How old are the coffee farms in Boquete?
Coffee farms have existed around Boquete since back in the late 1800s, so the area has a very long and storied history of growing coffee.
How far away from Boquete are the coffee farms?
Many of the coffee farms around Boquete are incredibly close to town, often either a short drive away or right outside of town.
How to choose which coffee farm to visit in Boquete?
When deciding which coffee farm to visit in Boquete, consider the length of the tour, the type of coffee the farm grows, the price of the tour, how “hands-on” the experience is, and if the tour includes any additional activities or features.
What flavors of coffee can you find in Boquete Panama?
With its variety of different farms and several coffee shops, you can find a wide variety of coffee flavors in Boquete. This includes coffee that’s fruity, floral, spicy, sweet, nutty, and a variety of other options to suit nearly every preference.
Interested in Learning Even More About Panama Boquete Coffee?
If you have more questions about the coffee in and around Boquete Panama, or just have some questions about the community itself, make sure to reach out to our expert team at Metro Realty Panama to learn more.
