What the 2024 Panama Geisha Washed Result Means

The 2024 reliable of Panama competition has announced its Washed Geisha results, with Finca Lorayne taking first place at 95.5 points under Adaura Coffee. The win matters because Panama's Geisha lots have anchored the top tier of specialty coffee since the variety broke through in 2005, and the BOP auction sets the price benchmark each year.

Panama's advantage rests on terrain as much as variety. Coffee growing is concentrated in Chiriqui Province across Boquete, Volcan-Candela and Renacimiento, all set around Volcan Baru and nearby highlands. A tropical maritime climate with 23°C to 27°C averages and 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters of annual rain, plus humid days and cool nights, shapes the cup.

The results of the 2024 Best of Panama (BOP) competition have been announced. In the Washed Geisha category, Finca Lorayne took first place with 95.5 points, and this emerging estate under Adaura Coffee is rapidly rising. The reason Panama coffee has long occupied the top tier of the specialty coffee world is not only the legendary flavor of the Geisha variety, but also the decades of promotion by the SCAP association and the BOP competition. This article will give you an in-depth look at Panama coffee's regional terroir, Boquete's unique microclimate, and the growing background and owner story of the champion estate Finca Lorayne, along with Front Street Coffee's recommendation and purchasing advice for this champion bean.

Panama coffee occupies a pivotal position in the international specialty coffee landscape. This stems both from the fame of the Geisha variety produced in the country and from the long-term efforts of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP)—it was this association that planned and hosted the BOP (Best Of Panama) competition.

Panama

Since the first BOP was held in 1996, Panama has set high prices year after year in subsequent auctions thanks to its high-quality coffee. As a result, the connection between domestic producers and the international market has grown increasingly close, and the country's coffee reputation has also expanded. In 2005, the Geisha variety burst onto the scene with stunning flavors and outstanding competition results, establishing its legendary status in the coffee world ever since.

The ability to nurture such high-quality coffee is inseparable from Panama's unique geographical conditions. The country is located at the southernmost tip of Central America, close to the equator. Its terrain rises and falls, with interwoven valleys. Apart from plains along the coast, most of the country is mountainous, with dense forests, abundant rivers, and multiple volcanoes.

Panama has a tropical maritime climate, humid during the day and cool at night, with an average annual temperature between 23°C and 27°C and average annual rainfall of about 1,500 to 2,500 millimeters. Influenced by the terrain, the country also has complex and diverse microclimates. Together, these factors provide an ideal growing environment for coffee trees.

Coffee Producing Regions

Coffee cultivation in Panama is mainly concentrated in Chiriquí Province, which can be further divided into three producing regions: Boquete, Volcan-Candela, and Renacimiento. They are all distributed around Volcán Baru, El Valle, and Le Yeguada.

The Boquete producing region has extremely favorable conditions for coffee cultivation. Coffee farms are mostly located between 1,200 and 2,000 meters above sea level, with temperatures between 11°C and 27°C—neither too cold nor too hot. At the same time, the large temperature difference between day and night helps coffee cherries mature slowly and accumulate richer flavors. Moderate rainfall, fertile volcanic soil, ample sunlight, and the area's unique microclimate enable this region to consistently produce high-quality coffee.

Boquete can be called Panama's most famous coffee producing region. It is home to many well-known estates, such as Hacienda La Esmeralda, Duncan Estate, and Elida Estate. In recent years, many emerging forces have also appeared, such as Abu Estate and Finca Lorayne. In the 2024 Best of Panama (BOP) selection, Elida Estate took first place in the Geisha Natural category, while the first place in the Geisha Washed category was won by the newcomer Finca Lorayne with a high score of 95.5 points. Front Street Coffee also paid attention to this champion bean right away, believing that its cleanliness and floral performance are especially outstanding.

Finca Lorayne

Finca Lorayne belongs to Adaura coffee and is located in Panama's Boquete producing region. The estate is situated on the slopes of Volcán Baru at an altitude of about 1,600 to 1,700 meters. The estate was founded by Marcus and currently mainly cultivates three varieties: Caturra, Typica, and Geisha. Front Street Coffee recommends that enthusiasts keep an eye on this estate's Geisha lots; both its flavor layers and sweetness performance are top-notch.

The estate owner Marcus founded Adaura coffee to pay tribute to his grandparents Adalberto and Aura Rosas. In addition, Marcus has developed in many directions. Besides being a coffee grower and producer, he is also a roaster, cupper, barista, and competition competitor, and he gives back the experience he has gained to the estate.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.