The Peterson family, who own the Hacienda La Esmeralda, first discovered the exceptional Geisha variety on their farm in 2004.
After each cupping, there was one coffee that stood out for its unique flavour profile. Unlike any other coffee they had ever tasted, it came from a part of the plantation that had different trees from the rest: the Geisha variety (originally from Ethiopia). This is the origin of how the extraordinary Geisha varietal was (re) discovered in Panama.
It went on to be crowned Panama’s best coffee. The farm is a continuous stage for innovation and experimenting and protecting the surrounding ecosystems, workers and local communities. All of which are at the heart of the Peterson’s ethos.
With this discovery, Hacienda Esmeralda put Panama’s coffee on the map for coffee connoisseurs. The hacienda, was the first to pick Geisha beans and present them, unblended with other varieties, to the international panel of tasters in The Best Of Panama (BoP) 2004.
Panama’s unique climate contributes to the exceptional taste, of its Geisha. As of today, Geisha from Panama is the world’s most well sought after and expensive coffee. Thanks in large part to the Peterson's and their exceptional farm.
