Encore! The Geisha Washed from Finca Los Cantares resounds loudly

It is said that “all good things take time” and it couldn’t be more true when it comes to coffee. At every start of a new year we await with much anticipation, news from partner farms on their newly harvested lots. It’s a process that can’t be rushed and we just have to be patient.

So it's with great excitement that we launch our first coffee of the season 2024-2025: Finca Los Cantares Geisha Washed. Under the stewardship of producer M. Jackie Vallarino, who has been leading the Estate for 30 years now, this farm is blessed with consistently remarkable quality. It is truly a testament of the dedication and experience of all involved in the production, from the cherry pickers (some of whom are in their second generation) to the processing team – and of course, a little help from Mother Nature. 

Profile: Intense orange blossom, Yuzu and Earl Grey notes.

Origin

Located in Paso Ancho, Tierras Altas district (Spanish for “Highlands”), Finca Los Cantares has been in operation since 1929 under various owners, and it’s been at the helm of Jackie Mercer Vallarino since 1994. The 54-hectare coffee estate is surrounded by primary forests, with the Chiriqui Viejo river flowing through it. The name “Los Cantares” (which means “The Songs”) is fitting, as the estate is a sanctuary for a diverse variety of birds, whose songs fill the air.

Their first-ever geisha harvest won first place at the Best of Panama (BoP) back in 2012, and in 2018 its geisha washed and traditional natural process won second and third place respectively.

The farm had a two-year harvest hiatus brought by the Covid pandemic, kickstarting production again in 2022.