• About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
FREE REPORT
BEST PLACES TO RETIRE
*No spam: We will NEVER give your email address to anyone else.
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
Live and Invest Overseas
  • HOME
  • COUNTRIES
    • Top Destinations
      • Portugal
      • Panama
      • Belize
      • France
      • Colombia
      • Dominican Republic
      • Thailand
      • Mexico
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Browse All Countries
    • Best For
      • Retire Overseas Index
      • Health Care
      • Cost of Living
      • Investing in Real Estate
      • Editor’s Picks For Retirement
      • Establishing Residency
      • Starting an Online Business
      • Single Women
      • Playing Golf
  • BUDGETS
    • Super Cheap ($)
      • Cuenca, Ecuador
      • Chiang Mai, Thailand
      • The Philippines
      • Las Tablas, Panama
      • Granada, Nicaragua
    • Cheap ($$)
      • Algarve, Portugal
      • Medellin, Colombia
      • Boquete, Panama
      • Carcassone, France
      • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • Affordable ($$$)
      • Abruzzo, Italy
      • Barcelona, Spain
      • Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic
      • Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
      • Costa de Oro, Uruguay
    • Luxury On A Budget ($$$$)
      • Ambergris Caye, Belize
      • Paris, France
      • Panama City Beach Area
  • Real Estate
  • ARCHIVES
    • Living & Retiring Overseas
    • Raising A Family Abroad
    • Foreign Residency & Citizenship
    • Offshore Diversification
  • Making Money
    • International Real Estate
    • Banking
    • Employment
    • Investing
  • CONFERENCES
  • BOOKSTORE
No Result
View All Result
Live and Invest Overseas
No Result
View All Result

A Taste of Boquete, Panama: Where Coffee Flows and Flowers Bloom

Serving Up A Steaming Cup Boquete's Best: Panama Coffee Wins Again

Robin Post by Robin Post
Jul 12, 2018
in In Focus: Panama
0
fresh coffee beans lie on a coffee sack
225
SHARES
3.2k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Once again, Panamanian coffee has proven best in show. Last year, a top Boquete, Chiriquí, coffee plantation, Hacienda La Esmeralda, was rewarded at a worldwide coffee auction. A pound of their geisha specialty coffee was purchased for the astounding price of US$601, the highest price ever paid for a pound of java anywhere in the world.

On May 27, 2018, at a prestigious coffee-tasting event, several Boquete growers were once again honored. Hacienda La Esmeralda as well as Kotowa were recognized, but the top winner was Lamastus Family Estates who came away with the title of Producer of the Year.

Merely uttering the word coffee stirs the senses; the rich full-bodied aroma that fills the air, the steam rising up from a fresh cup, and the mouth-watering flavor loved by so many. In Boquete, you can sample some of the best coffee varieties in the world…

Boquete coffee producers take their craft seriously and continually strive for the best. Both Boquete and nearby Volcán provide ideal conditions for growing coffee beans. High elevation, cool nights, brisk winds, and volcanic soil all contribute.

coffee beans growing outside in nature
(Copyright: Jonathan Wilkins)

Over five varieties of the delicious brew are produced here. While driving around the winding back roads, you can gaze upon acres and acres of lush green coffee bushes loaded with vivid red coffee cherries that look succulent enough to pop into your mouth. Waiting for them to be processed is worth the effort… the beans are dried, toasted, and ground to create that rich, delicious, and satisfying flavor.

Coffee fincas (small farms) in and around Boquete run the gamut from small, one- or two-person “hobby” farms to huge multi-acre commercial establishments that export their product all over the world. They provide employment opportunities for countless indigenous Panamanians, as well as both skilled and unskilled workers.

The heritage of this industry starts with the Ngäbe-Buglé indigenous tribes who, since the Panamanian coffee industry began, have been involved in each and every facet of its production. And so they continue today… In addition to the watering, weeding, and tending to the plants, they see to the crucial picking schedule. Geisha in particular needs to be picked at the perfect moment and processed immediately, following meticulous methodology.

Credit for this industry must first go to a retired sea captain in the early 19th century, who brought the very first coffee plants here. As more and more growers began developing their coffee farms, very little focus was put on flavor until the influx of expats to the area. They became interested in the coffee process and experimented with crossbreeding plant varieties. Quality became the focus, rather than quantity, causing Panama to receive much-deserved recognition as a coffee-producing country.

By far the highest-quality, most specialized variety is geisha. Originating in Ethiopia, samples of the seeds were sent to several other countries including Kenya, Tanzania, and Costa Rica for experimentation, finally arriving in Panama in the 1960s. Not until 2004, however, were geisha’s qualities recognized. Always blended with other coffee varieties, the wonderful taste and aroma did not stand out until unblended geisha was presented to an international panel of tasters. Needless to say, it made a huge impact, resulting in Panama’s recognition for its exceptional coffee quality.

Every year since its inauguration in 1996, a prestigious event is held in Boquete. Known far and wide as The Best of Panama, it is an international coffee-tasting event organized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama. Their goal is to rank the talented coffee producers here. Arriving from coffee-growing countries worldwide, the experts observe 18 judges as they test for taste, aroma, body, and consistency. Every year is different but always exciting for coffee producers. Records are waiting to be broken and new coffee varieties are ready to shine.

Proudly, Panama is strongly associated with geisha coffee, but the Boquete region offers many other attractions to the international visitor. Another well-known event hosted in the area is the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival.

The Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival

Boquete offers far more than just excellent coffee… Each January, the Boquete Flower and Coffee Festival takes place, attracting nationals and tourists in hordes to sample the myriad of colors and aromas on offer.

Running for over 50 years now, it attracts bigger and bigger crowds each year (2018 saw upwards of 150,000 attendees). For the 10 days of the festival, the entire town of Boquete takes on a joyous and festive ambiance.

Agricultural exhibitions that introduce you to Panama’s local produce (including potatoes, strawberries, cabbage, and lettuce) are on display. Coffee also plays a role, with demonstrations illustrating the sowing and harvesting process… It’s not all educational, though—sampling the fresh brews is an added bonus.

The more than 35,000 flowers, planted in colorful and unique patterns, are also a major attraction. One of the most popular displays features orchids from Australia, Japan, the United States, Costa Rica, and, of course, Panama.

Red, orange, and pink flowers in bloom in Boquete, Panama
The Boquete Flower show draws entrants, and spectators, from all over the world.

The Boquete fairgrounds are used just once a year, for this special event only. Despite this, the festival represents a year-round job for the gardeners. Some 50 gardens occupy the 3 hectares of the fairgrounds. As soon as the previous year’s fair ends, growers prepare the ground for seeds and transplants that will be displayed at next year’s event. They study the characteristics of each species to determine the best placement and to allow them to grow to their full color, height, and volume potential. By preparing this early, gardeners ensure the plants will be in full bloom in time for the festival.

If you’re a Panama Letter subscriber, you already know that all Panamanian celebrations—even the most religious and sacrosanct—involve boisterous after parties. Boquete’s flower fair is no exception… The fairground has several bars and nightclubs and even classy lounge bars.

Whether relocating to the Chiriquí, arriving as a tourist, or visiting as a retiree on a fact-finding mission, a tour of one of the coffee fincas should rate high on your list of activities. Several of the larger plantations have opened their doors to allow viewing of the entire procedure from harvesting to processing to roasting.

A short list of such tours is as follows:

  1. Finca Dos Jefes: This coffee farm not only provides tours but also a unique experience. You roast your own beans and then pack your very own bag of them to take home.
  2. Café Ruiz: A very old, established coffee grower and processor, this is another great tour that offers tastings as well.
  3. Finca Lérida: This property not only houses a coffee plantation but also a hotel and restaurant. Lovely surroundings and comprehensive tours are on offer.
  4. Finca Kotowa: One of the oldest plantations in Panama shares its knowledge with informative tours.
  5. Janson Coffee Farm: Located near Volcán, this is a third-generation operation. They provide tours and also ship coffee directly to your door, wherever that may be.

You’ll not only enjoy the pleasure of introducing your taste buds to the finest coffee in the world but will leave with an increased appreciation for this incomparable beverage.

Imagine visiting or better yet residing in this verdant region where waking up to a fragrant, steaming cup of the finest, freshest coffee is an everyday occurrence… What a delightful experience.

Robin Post

Comments

Tags: boquete coffeeboquete flowerscoffee tastingcoffee tour
Share92Tweet56
Previous Post

Top 4 Countries With Real Estate You Should Invest In Now

Next Post

The Five Easiest Countries To Move To Overseas

Robin Post

Robin Post

Robin Post is a writer who divides her time between Panama and Canada. She loves traveling, writing, reading, painting, and extolling the virtues of retiring overseas, with many published articles on Panama and Costa Rica. Along with her husband, Robin has explored every corner of Panama and loves every inch of the isthmus. When in Canada, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends.

Related Posts

The colorful urban skyline of Panama City, Panama.
In Focus: Panama

The Current Events In Panama–How The Little Isthmus Shines

by Robin Post
January 8, 2021
0

For over seven months I have been stranded in Canada due to COVID-19. But now that flights are allowed, I...

Read more
Traditional effigy for burning.

New Year’s Eve In Panama

December 31, 2020
Christmas lights on palm trees and Christmas tree.

Christmas In Panama: A Tropical Twist On A Classic Tradition

December 24, 2020
A sidewalk made uneven by tree roots.

Sidewalks In Panama: Your Very Own American Ninja Warrior Course

December 10, 2020
Celebrating fiestas patrias in Panama

Experiencing The Fiestas Patrias In Quebro, Panama

November 12, 2020
Dog in airplane traveling to Panama

How To Bring Your Pet To Panama: What You Can Expect

November 7, 2020
Man surfing in Playa Venao, Panama

From Lockdown To Riding The Waves: Panama’s 6 Top Spots For Surfing

October 29, 2020
Next Post
A bright striped plane landing over a lush and beautiful country below.

The Five Easiest Countries To Move To Overseas

A world full of fun, adventure, and profit awaits! Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we'll send you a FREE report on the 10 Best Places To Retire In Style Overseas Today.

Start Your New Life Today, Overseas

Get Your Free Panama Report Today!

​​Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you our FREE REPORT - 101 Things You'll Wish Someone Had Told You About Panama.
 

how to retire overseas

LIOS Resources


  • New To LIOS
  • Ask An Expert
  • Media Center
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs

Quick Links


  • Best Places To Live
  • Best Places To Retire
  • Finding A Job Overseas
  • Real Estate

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and get your FREE report: The 10 Best Places To Retire Overseas In 2021

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Unsubscribe

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Countries
  • Budgets
  • Archives
  • News
  • Events
  • Bookstore
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Members Area
  • Contact Us

© 2008-2021 - Live and Invest Overseas - All Rights Reserved.

WANT TO RETIRE OVERSEAS?

Sign up for our free daily e-letter, Overseas Opportunity Letter, and we’ll immediately send you a free report on the 10 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE in style overseas. Each day you’ll learn about the best opportunities for international living, retiring overseas, offshore diversification and asset protection, and investing in real estate around the world.

Get Your Free Panama Report Today!
 

​​Learn more about ​​​PANAMA and other countries in our free, daily Overseas Opportunity Letter​​, as well as our ​In Focus: ​Panama ​newsletter​​​​​​. Simply enter your email address below and we’ll send you our FREE REPORT – ​​​101 Things You'll Wish Someone Had Told You About Panama.
 

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.