Panama Abu Geisha Natural Lot 6

Coffee Review awarded 95 points! (December 2, 2021).  They said: "Deeply aromatic, complex. Dried mulberry, dark chocolate, almond butter, lilac, pink grapefruit zest in aroma and cup. Sweet-tart structure with bright, lively acidity; satiny-smooth mouthfeel. Chocolaty and floral-toned finish with undertones of almond and pink grapefruit zest. A deep, inviting natural-processed Panama Geisha cup with rich chocolate and dried berry notes and a floral throughline".

Arrived September 2021 in vacuum boxes, a Direct Trade coffee. Abu Coffee Plantations is a rising star in the stellar universe of Panama's high end coffee scene, the Geisha capital of the coffee world today. This means that Abu has not yet risen to the very lofty price levels that have been attained by some of the more noted names in Boquete and Volcan Panama, the two growing areas surrounding the Baru volcano: Hacienda Esmeralda, Elida Estate (world record price for both scores and price), Kotowa, Auromar and others. That said, while expensive, this coffee is fairly valued only by comparison, especially for the level of quality. The farm is run by Jose Luttrell, who has been until recent years, a working engineer who has turned his attention to the family farm and the lure of growing and selling Geisha, in particular. We met Jose a couple of years ago, tried his coffee and were impressed by it. Being new on the scene, he met with some difficulties learning the ropes regarding export, all of which has since been resolved. In the interim, the coffee has only gotten better and we are pleased to be able to offer both washed and natural varieties this year.

Prime location

ABU Coffee grows Geisha varietal cultivated in the region of Canas Verdes, Boquete in a humid and rainy microclimate typical of the tropical forest. Coffee trees are grown on the slopes of the Baru Volcano National park in fertile, profound soils of volcanic origin rich with organic content and excellent drainage, minimizing erosion. Average altitude is 1550 meters above sea level. The shade protecting the plantation is given by native trees that grow in harmony with abundant local flora and fauna, respecting the environment and biodiversity. Given its strategic geographic location, sunlight is a key element throughout the whole process. The plantation receives powerful solar radiation, interrupted in the mornings and sunsets by a soft tropical mist known locally as Bajareque and caressed by thick fog.

Harvest season begins in summer, approximately December and extends until March, months when the humidity drops, which combined with the natural shade and the Bajareque mist, achieves the perfect balance for the maturation process. As a result, the cherries develop their maximum potential and intensify the sugars in an optimal manner, enriching the flavor of the grain. The virgin rain forests in which the ABU Coffee plantations lie within, makes of its climate an extraordinary condition to achieve a unique combination of characteristics that make our Geisha Coffee a distinct coffee with body and personality, with intense juicy flavor and aromatic floral notes.

Willoughby's owner Barry Levine and Jose Luttrell

The story behind ABU Coffee

The farm is named in honor the memory of Jose's granfather and his dream of achieving what he considered the best in a cup of coffee, a geisha raised with the highest standards of quality. ABU is short for abuelo, grandfather in Spanish and the nickname his grandchildren used to call him.

• Region: Boquete, Canas Verdes
• Farm: Abu Coffee
• Variety: Geisha
• Elevation: 1,550 meters
• Shade: 60% by native species of trees
• Soil: Volcanic
• Slope: South of Baru Volcan
• Processing Method: Natural
• Harvest Method: 100% handpicking
• Fermentation: 15 hours
• Drying Method: 21 days on raised African beds