Panama, Hacienda La Esmeralda – Bourbon Pointu (Low Caffeine)
Located in the Boquete region of Panama, Hacienda La Esmeralda is a multiple award-winning coffee farm run by the Peterson family that has consistently achieved record-breaking prices at auction. The whole family is involved in production and prides themselves on absolute consistency and excellence in preparation, which is perhaps why they grow the finest Geisha in the world.Â
The estate is based in the province of Chiriqui in South-West Panama. This area has a mountainous topography, producing various microclimates which have a distinct influence on the coffee beans profile. The fairly cool weather and recurrent mists slow down the ripening of the coffee cherries, yielding a denser and more flavourful bean.
This coffee is part of a research project at Hacienda La Esmeralda to grow Bourbon Pointu at very high altitudes. Truly exceptional, the Bourbon Pointu (Laurina) bean is one of the oldest Arabica varietals.Â
Unusually, it has only approximately 1/3 of the caffeine of normal coffee. Rarely cultivated out of Reunion Island, it has low productivity and great sensitivity to disease. The bean is elongated, hence the name “pointu”. A subtly elegant and popular choice after dinner because of the low caffeine content.Â
