Hacienda La Esmeralda Peterson Family - Guabo 3 FC Washed Gesha | Panama

Panama — The Peterson Family Hacienda La Esmeralda Guabo 3 Gesha (FC Washed)

Tastes Like —  • 🍊 Tangerine • 🌼 Jasmine • 🍑 White Peach • 🥭 Mangosteen

DETAILS

• Producer: The Peterson Family
• Farm: Hacienda La Esmeralda, El Velo Farm, Guabo 3 Lot
• Region: Chiriquí, Panama
• Varietal: Gesha
• Process: FC Washed (Full Clean Washed)
• Altitude: 1850–1870 MASL
• Size: 100g

INTRO

Grown on a farm that swept all three major categories at the 2025 Best of Panama competition — a first in the competition's history — this FC Washed Gesha from Hacienda La Esmeralda's Guabo 3 lot represents the absolute pinnacle of what Panama specialty coffee can achieve. A coffee best enjoyed with full attention: its nuance and complexity are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The washed process at La Esmeralda delivers Gesha in its most floral and citrus-forward expression. Where the naturals offer stone fruit and berry complexity, this FC Washed lot is all about pristine florals, pomelo brightness, and that haunting lychee sweetness that has made Esmeralda Gesha one of the most coveted coffees on earth.

THE PRODUCER

The lands that make up Hacienda La Esmeralda were first brought together as a single estate in 1940. In 1967, Swedish-American banker Rudolph A. Peterson purchased the estate, and it has remained in the Peterson family ever since — now managed by Rachel and Alex Peterson, who continue to raise the bar for specialty coffee globally.

The Peterson family's legacy with Gesha is the stuff of coffee history. In 2004, separating production by variety and farm block for the first time, they entered the Gesha at the Best of Panama competition, where it achieved the highest auction price ever recorded at the time and took first place. The variety had previously been passed between gene banks and research stations largely for its disease resistance — nobody had yet understood its extraordinary cup potential until the Petersons revealed it to the world.

In 2025, Hacienda La Esmeralda became the first producer in history to win all three major categories at Best of Panama — Gesha Washed, Gesha Natural, and Varietals — achieving what commentators called the competition's first-ever "triple crown."

THE PROCESS

The FC Washed process at Hacienda La Esmeralda involves:

• 🍒 Hand Harvesting — Only peak-ripe Gesha cherries selected at the Guabo 3 plot
• 💧 Flotation Tank — Cherries floated to remove any unripe, overripe or lower-density beans
• 🔧 De-pulping — Fruit skin removed to expose mucilage-covered parchment
• 🧪 Fermentation — Controlled fermentation to break down mucilage naturally
• 💧 Full Washing — Thorough washing in clean water, achieving the exceptional cup clarity the FC designation demands

☀️ Drying — Careful drying under precise conditions to preserve the delicate floral and citrus complexity

• ✅ Sorting — Rigorous lot-level quality control at every stage

The result is a washed Gesha of exceptional purity — all magnolia, pomelo, and lychee florals with a structured clarity that reflects both variety and processing excellence.

THE CUP

A masterpiece of washed Gesha. The cup opens with a cascade of pristine florals — magnolia, white blossom, and delicate jasmine — before revealing a bright, elegant pomelo-driven acidity. As it cools, sweet lychee and complex floral undertones emerge, creating a finish of extraordinary length and refinement. This is a coffee for occasions of full attention.

Flavour Notes

🍊 Tangerine – bright, juicy citrus sweetness
🌼 Jasmine – delicate floral aroma, tea-like elegance
🍑 White Peach – soft, sweet stone fruit with a silky finish
🥭 Mangosteen – exotic, creamy sweetness with a hint of tropical tang