Panama — Carmen Estate Caturra

Tastes Like — 🍑 Apricot • 🍵 Green Tea • 🍊 Citrus

DETAILS

• Producer: Carmen Estate
• Region: Volcán, Chiriquí, Panama
• Varietal: Caturra
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 1700 masl
• Size: 8oz / 227g

INTRO

This Caturra from Carmen Estate in Panama's Volcán region showcases the classic elegance of washed processing. The cup presents apricot sweetness, green tea refinement, and bright citrus notes—a clean, balanced profile that highlights the quality of both the terroir and careful post-harvest handling. Grown at 1,700 metres above sea level in Chiriquí's renowned coffee-growing highlands, this lot demonstrates how traditional varieties and processing methods can produce exceptional clarity and complexity.

THE PRODUCER

Carmen Estate operates in Volcán, Chiriquí—one of Panama's most prestigious coffee-growing regions. The estate sits at 1,700 metres above sea level on the slopes of Volcán Barú, Panama's highest peak. This altitude creates ideal conditions for slow cherry maturation, whilst the volcanic soil provides rich nutrients that contribute to the coffee's distinctive flavour profile. Carmen Estate's focus on quality processing and varietal selection has established them as a respected producer in Panama's specialty coffee landscape.

THE PROCESS

This lot undergoes classic washed processing, emphasising clarity and varietal expression:

• 🍒 Selective Harvesting — Only ripe cherries picked
• 🔪 De-Pulped — Skin removed on the day of harvest
• 🔬 Fermentation — Controlled mucilage removal
• 🚿 Washed — Thoroughly cleaned in fresh water
• ☀️ Dried — Until optimal moisture content

Washed processing highlights the inherent qualities of the Caturra varietal and the terroir, producing a clean cup with bright acidity and delicate fruit notes.

THE CUP

Clean and elegant with apricot sweetness, green tea refinement, and vibrant citrus brightness. A classic expression of Panamanian coffee at its best.

Flavour Notes

• 🍑 Apricot
• 🍵 Green Tea
• 🍊 Citrus

What is the roast recency?

We recommend brewing with beans that are at least two weeks off roast. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 6-12 weeks. We have the option to either purchase standard beans (at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks off roast), or rested beans (at least 7 weeks off roast, no longer than 12 - should we have any left in stock!). For peak flavour, if you are looking to use immediately, we recommend purchasing the rested beans. If you are adding to your rotation of beans, we recommend purchasing the standard and allowing the beans to naturally rest and mature whilst you rotate through other beans.

What does 'Filter' or 'Espresso' Roast mean?

Typically filter is roasted lighter than espresso, though this is not always the case. Several factors play into what brands a Manhattan coffee as 'filter' or 'espresso', which includes the roast profile - i.e. how the beans are roasted, not just how developed a roast it is. It doesn't preclude you from using the beans for espresso though!