Introduction:The results of the 2024 Best of Panama (BOP) competition have been announced, with Finca Lorayne winning the washed Geisha category with an impressive score of 95.5. This rising star under Adaura Coffee has once again drawn global coffee enthusiasts’ attention to Panama’s Boquete region. This article will delve into how Panama’s unique geography nurtures top-tier Geisha, explore the microclimatic advantages of Boquete, and introduce the farming background and story of Finca Lorayne’s owner — helping you understand the flavor profile and selection tips of this championship lot.
The results of the 2024 Best of Panama (BOP) competition have been officially released. In the highly anticipated washed Geisha category, Finca Lorayne claimed the championship with an outstanding score of 95.5. This emerging estate, part of Adaura Coffee, has rapidly made its mark in the specialty coffee scene. The reason Panamanian coffee consistently holds a high-end position in the international specialty market is not only due to the widely praised unique flavor profile of the Geisha variety, but also thanks to the long-term efforts of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) in promoting the BOP competition, as well as the region’s naturally exceptional conditions.
Since the first BOP in 1996, Panamanian coffee farmers have annually earned high prices for their quality beans at international auctions, not only raising the global visibility of local producers but also spreading the fame of Panamanian coffee worldwide. Especially in 2005, the Geisha variety stunned the world with its distinctive floral and fruity aromas and stellar competition performance, becoming a legendary variety in the specialty coffee industry. To understand why Panama continues to produce such exceptional coffee, we must start with the country’s geographical and climatic conditions.
Panama is located at the southernmost tip of Central America, bordering the equator. Its terrain is predominantly mountainous, with most areas consisting of hills and highlands, aside from a few coastal plains. The country is covered with dense forests, home to numerous rivers and active volcanoes, such as Volcán Baru. It features a tropical maritime climate, with humid days and cool nights, an average annual temperature of around 23°C to 27°C, and annual rainfall of approximately 1500 to 2500 millimeters. The varied terrain creates diverse microclimates, providing an ideal environment for coffee cultivation.
Panama’s coffee-growing regions are mainly concentrated in Chiriquí Province, among which the sub-regions of Boquete, Volcan-Candela, and Renacimiento are the most renowned. These areas are all situated around the Volcán Barú, El Valle volcano, and La Yeguada volcano, with Boquete standing out as the most prominent. Elevations in Boquete generally range between 1200 and 2000 meters, featuring significant day-night temperature variations. Coupled with fertile volcanic soil, moderate rainfall, and good sunlight, these factors help coffee cherries ripen slowly, developing rich and complex flavor layers.
Boquete is not only Panama’s most representative coffee-growing region, but also home to many well-known estates, such as Finca Elida, Finca Don Pachi, and Finca Hartmann. In recent years, several emerging estates have also gained recognition, including Finca Abra and Finca Lorayne. In the 2024 BOP competition, Finca Elida won the first prize in the Geisha natural category, while the washed category champion was Finca Lorayne, which received high praise from expert judges for its clarity and floral expression.
Finca Lorayne is located in Panama’s Boquete region, nestled on the slopes of Volcán Barú, at an elevation of about 1600 to 1700 meters. The estate is part of Adaura Coffee and currently cultivates varieties such as Caturra, Typica, and Geisha. Notably, the Geisha variety grown here, under these specific elevations and microclimatic conditions, exhibits a layered and notably sweet flavor profile, drawing significant attention from coffee enthusiasts.
Finca Lorayne was founded by Marcus, who established Adaura Coffee as a tribute to his grandparents, Adalberto and Aura Rosas. Marcus is not only dedicated to coffee cultivation and production, but also actively involved in roasting, cupping, barista work, and competitions. He brings his diverse experience back to estate management and quality improvement, enabling Finca Lorayne to stand out in the competitive BOP competition.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
