Panama's Aurora Estate is located in the Volcán region, adjacent to the Costa Rican border, and rose to fame after winning the BOP Washed category with its Ironman Geisha in 2013. Estate owner Roberto Brenes, a former central bank governor, runs the estate with a triathlete's spirit: the washed lots are named Ironman, while the natural lots take their name from his granddaughter, Carmilina. Front Street Coffee has acquired this estate's new-season Carmilina Natural Geisha, given it a medium roast, and found that pour-over brewing brings out floral notes, yellow lemon, strawberry, guava, and an oolong tea finish. This article covers the estate's background in full, the naming origins of the two Geishas, the details of the natural processing, and Front Street's recommended brewing parameters and flavor notes. [more…]

In the western valley of the Barú Volcano, near the Costa Rican border in Panama's Volcán region, lies a young estate established only in 2006—Auromar. The estate's name is a combination of the names of the owner Roberto's daughter Aurora and granddaughter Mar. Since winning the washed Geisha category at the BOP competition in 2013, Auromar has been shortlisted almost every year, and the Ironman Geisha has thus become widely renowned. The name "Ironman" stems from the owner's passion for triathlon, while the natural process lots are named after his granddaughter Camilina. This article will outline Auromar's geography and microclimate, the naming stories of the Ironman Geisha and Camilina, the natural processing workflow, and, combined with Front Street Coffee's roasting and pour-over recommendations, present this natural Geisha's floral aroma, strawberry, guava, and oolong tea aftertaste. [more…]