Panama — Carlos Aguilera Franceschi Geisha (Natural) — Lot GN202

Tastes Like — 🌸 Jasmine • 🍊 Tangerine • 🍇 Blackcurrant • ☕ Breakfast Tea

DETAILS

• Producer: Carlos Aguilera Franceschi
• Farm: Franceschi (Carmen Estate)
• Region: Paso Ancho Valley, Volcán, Chiriquí, Panama
• Varietal: Geisha
• Process: Natural
• Altitude: 1,650–1,900 MASL
• Harvest: 2025
• Lot: GN202
• Size: 100g

INTRO

Lot GN202 from Franceschi is a Natural Geisha from one of Panama's most prestigious estates — grown in the Paso Ancho Valley at up to 1,900 metres, where proximity to both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans creates one of the world's most singular micro-climates for coffee. Dry, sun-drenched days paired with cool, frost-free nights produce cherry of exceptional density and sweetness, which the Franceschi team then dries whole to deepen and concentrate every characteristic note.

The "Franceschi" project, led by Carlos Aguilera Franceschi and his partner Jean Paul Langenstein, combines the estate's own lots with cherries from trusted local farmers, processing them through a range of fermentation techniques designed to express the finest qualities of each batch.

THE PRODUCER

The Franceschi family arrived in Panama from France in 1800, eventually diversifying into cattle ranching, farming, and ship-building. In 1950, Carmen Franceschi suggested to her husband Efrain that they plant coffee — and Carmen Estate was born, named in her honour. Today, the third generation of the family manages the farm: Carlos Aguilera Franceschi, who alongside partner Jean Paul Langenstein has evolved the estate into one of Panama's most celebrated specialty producers. Located in Paso Ancho, Tierras Altas, Chiriquí, the farm benefits from renowned volcanic black soils and dual oceanic influence.

THE PROCESS

The Natural process for Lot GN202 involves:

• 🍒 Selective hand-picking — Ripe cherries harvested at peak maturity
• ✅ Density sorting — Only the finest, densest fruit proceeds
• 🧪 Natural fermentation — Cherries undergo Franceschi's controlled Natural fermentation protocol
• ☀️ Whole-cherry drying — Cherries dried intact on raised beds, concentrating sugars and aromatic depth
• 📅 Extended rest — Slow drying at high altitude allows full Natural fermentation development before milling

The Natural process at Franceschi amplifies the Geisha variety's inherent florality whilst adding deep fruit sweetness and tea-like refinement.

THE CUP

A bright, lingering Geisha Natural with exquisite aromatic refinement. Jasmine leads into ripe tangerine and a deep blackcurrant note, with a delicate breakfast tea character that gives the cup its singular, elegant finish.

Flavour Notes

• 🌸 Jasmine
• 🍊 Tangerine
• 🍇 Blackcurrant
• ☕ Breakfast Tea