What makes Panama geisha coffee beans from Elida Estate so sought after?
Elida Estate's natural Geisha took the top lot at the 2024 Panama BOP auction at $10,013 per pound. The estate is the first in BOP history to win a double Geisha championship and ranks second in total BOP victories behind Hacienda La Esmeralda. Founded in 1918, it is now run by the fourth Lamastus generation.
The family owns several Panamanian parcels, including Elida, El Burro and Luito, plus the newer high-altitude Trompo Estate, though only three currently produce coffee. Cupping notes for this lot include pomegranate, peach, white florals and black tea, reflecting the high-altitude terroir that defines geisha panama lots.
At the 2024 Panama BOP Geisha auction, Elida Estate's natural Geisha once again set a new record with a staggering price of $10,013 per pound, claiming the top lot. This century-old renowned estate is no stranger to the top spot—it is not only the first estate in BOP history to win a double Geisha championship but also ranks second in the number of BOP victories, just after Hacienda La Esmeralda. Founded in 1918, Elida Estate is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the Lamastus family. Besides Elida, the family also owns well-known parcels such as El Burro Estate and Luito Estate, and in recent years has acquired the high-altitude Trompo Estate. Front Street Coffee cupped this champion bean this time, revealing captivating flavors of pomegranate, peach, white florals, and black tea. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of Elida Estate's history, parcel distribution, and flavor profile.
In this year's Panama BOP Geisha auction, Elida Estate's natural Geisha did not disappoint, once again breaking the transaction record with a price of $10,013 per pound, securing the top lot of the year. This is not the first time Elida Estate has stood on the highest podium; it has already amassed countless awards. So today, Front Street Coffee will discuss what exactly is behind this frequently winning Elida Estate~
Elida Estate is the first estate in BOP history to win a double Geisha championship, and it also ranks second in the number of Panama BOP victories (the first being Hacienda La Esmeralda). In 2018, Elida Estate officially became a century-old renowned estate, as its story began in 1918—when the Panama Canal had just opened to navigation not long before.
After the estate was established, Mr. Robert focused on the cultivation and production of high-quality coffee. His passion for coffee seemed to flow in his blood, passed down from generation to generation. Today, Elida Estate has been taken over by the fourth generation of the Lamastus family, each generation interpreting their passion and dedication to coffee in their own way. In recent years, the Lamastus family has acquired a new high-altitude estate—Trompo Estate—which is the fifth estate under the family's ownership.
Although the Lamastus family owns five estates in Panama, only three currently produce coffee. And each of these three estates is a renowned specialty estate in Panama! Besides the protagonist of this article, Elida Estate, the other two are: El Burro Estate and Luito Estate. Since the three estates are located in vastly different geographical regions, the terroir conditions for coffee cultivation also vary. It is precisely these differences that give each estate's coffee a unique flavor personality.
Flavor: Pomegranate, peach, white florals, grape, black tea
After the beans were roasted and rested for 8 hours, Front Street Coffee immediately conducted a cupping. This Elida Geisha also exudes intense white florals. The overall sweetness is very high, presenting aromas of pomegranate and white peach! Moreover, it has a round grape acidity, a smooth mouthfeel, and a clear tea-like note in the finish. As the temperature gradually drops, the peach sweetness shifts to apricot, and the juicy sensation becomes increasingly abundant, making it very pleasant!
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
