Panama coffee in London

Panama produces some of the most closely watched speciality coffees in the world, owing largely to the Geisha varietal, which in this country tends toward exceptionally delicate, floral cup profiles with notes of jasmine, bergamot, stone fruit and light citrus. Washed Geisha in particular often displays a clarity and tea-like brightness that distinguishes it from the broader Central American style. Prices at auction regularly reflect the level of collector interest these lots attract, making Panamanian coffee one of the more expensive origins in the speciality market.

The principal growing areas are concentrated in the Chiriquí highlands, particularly around Boquete and the Volcán-Candela region, where altitude typically ranges from around 1,200 to over 1,800 metres. Alongside Geisha, Caturra and Catuaí are cultivated, though they receive considerably less attention. Washed processing remains common and tends to highlight the floral and acidic qualities of the coffee, while natural and honey processing are used to produce fuller, fruit-forward expressions, especially at smaller farms experimenting with post-harvest technique.