About This Coffee
The Lamastus family has been growing coffee at Elida Estate since 1918. Today, three generations of Lamastus men operate the farm: the grandfather, Thatcher, his son Wilford and his son Wilford Jr. They share a passion for producing high-quality coffees.
Cultivation
The estate is located near Volcan Baru Natioanl park, with part of the estate in the park itself. The park is a protected World Heritage site, ecological reserve and sanctuary for native plants, birds and animals, including a tropical tiger.
The area of the estate within the park is protected forest reserve. The remaining 35 hectares of the estate are planted with Catuai, Geisha and Typica.
Harvest & Post-Harvest
Cherry is selectively harvested and laid to dry on raised beds. If the weather is uncooperative, cherry may be dried in mechanical Guardiolas dryers. Cherry is raked frequently to ensure even drying.
Coffee in Panama
Though small in coffee production, Panama is a mighty player in coffee quality. In particular, Panama is famous for producing Geisha variety lots that have fetched prices exceeding $800 per pound. Today, its renown as a producer of rare and sought-after varieties positions Panama as a contender for a new kind of ‘coffee-tourism’ that has the potential to change the way we produce, purchase, consume and talk about specialty coffee on a global scale.
The high value of Geisha has brought out both the best and worst in the industry. For established producers who receive excellent prices for their Geisha and other lots, the high prices they receive have often been reinvested in their communities and in renovating their farms to be as environmentally sustainable as possible. Unfortunately, the lure of Geisha’s high value has led some people bypass traditional land purchasing agreements and illegally deforest areas of national parks to get the best location for new (and illicit) Geisha farms.
Even as the number of producers those receiving high prices for their Geisha remains relatively low, the blossoming coffee industry in Panama has demonstrated potential to raise incomes for a wider spectrum of producers and coffee workers.