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Award Winning Farms

The unique conditions at which the coffee grows can be listed as follows: high elevation, rich volcanic soils, unique microclimate, low temperatures, microorganism beneficial to coffee, unique coffee yeasts, fungi, fog and mist during the dry season, virgin-native cloudy rain forest surrounds the coffee trees, low temperatures at nights (in the highest areas in can occasionally reach below 10 C) which elongates the production period and of the tree and the ripening of the fruit which is a crucial attribute for the development of the bean. These attributes create a distinguished cup.

The Lamastus Family Estates

The Lamastus Family Estates is a coffee company founded by Robert Lamastus in 1918 and continued by his son, Thatcher. The Lamastus Family Estates comprises three coffee plantations in the Panamanian Highlands. Elida Estate is the original farm founded by Robert Lamastus in 1918. El Burro Estate was originally owned by Amado Boutet, who is Thatcher's father-in-law. Luito Geisha was founded by Luito Lamastus in 2014, who is Thatcher's son. All the farms are located in the Panamanian highland territories, each with very different terroirs. Each farm is unique due to its location, which gives rise to distinct microclimates and microorganisms surrounding the coffee plantations.

Elida Estate

About half of the Elida Estate farm is located within the Volcan Baru National Park, which is a protected ecological reserve and sanctuary for exotic plants, birds, butterflies, and mammals, such as the tropical tiger. The Baru Volcano, standing at 3,475m, is one of the highest volcanoes in Central America. It covers an area of 14,000ha and encompasses seven different climate zones determined by altitude. Elida's terroir is enriched by the natural qualities of the National Park. The coffee plants grow in this magnificent environment, ranging in elevation from 1670m up to 2060+m above sea level. These factors contribute to the uniqueness of this coffee.

The unique environmental conditions that contribute to the growth of Elida coffee can be summarized as follows: high elevation, fertile volcanic soils, distinctive microclimate, cool temperatures, beneficial microorganisms for coffee, unique coffee yeasts and fungi, fog and mist during the dry season, coffee trees surrounded by virgin-native cloudy rainforest, and cool nighttime temperatures (occasionally dropping below 10°C/50°F in the highest areas). These factors extend the production period, facilitate the tree's growth and the ripening of the fruit, which is essential for the development of the coffee bean. These attributes collectively result in an exceptional cup profile.

The quality of coffee is directly influenced by the altitude of its cultivation. Higher elevations tend to yield better quality. However, there is a limit to how high coffee can be grown due to prolonged cold temperatures below 10°C/50°F, which adversely affects coffee production.

El Burro Estate

El Burro Estate, one of the southernmost coffee farms in Panama, is a coffee farm that extends into the Baru Volcano National Park (BVNP). Coffee on this farm is cultivated at elevations ranging from 1550m to 1800m, with a mean elevation of 1675m. The farm benefits from young volcanic soils, a pristine forest environment, and a unique microclimate characterized by varying temperatures, winds, and increased precipitation compared to other farms in the region during the rainy season.

The coffee from this farm is distinctive for several reasons. Firstly, the farm is situated at a high elevation, boasting rich, young volcanic soils. The temperatures remain consistently low, and it remains dry during the dry season, which sets it apart from other coffee estates within the Lamastus Family Estates. Additionally, the wet season brings heavy precipitation, averaging around 3200mm per year. Moreover, the coffee trees thrive in the midst of a virgin-native cloudy rainforest.

At this location, the nights grow cold, and these low temperatures can prolong the ripening time of the coffee fruit by an additional month. This extended ripening period directly influences the quality of the coffee fruit. All of these exceptional growing conditions, reminiscent of those found in Elida, contribute to the production of a distinguished cup of coffee.

Luito Estate

This farm holds the distinction of being the northernmost in Boquete, situated in close proximity to the mountain range. A portion of the farm, excluding the coffee plantation, is located within the boundaries of the Parque Internacional de la Amistad (International Friendship Park). The PILA, recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, has been designated as a World Heritage Site (WHS) under the protection of UNESCO. While there are numerous WHS worldwide, the majority of them are man-made. Panama, within an area of 77,000 square meters, boasts three of the 225 natural World Heritage Sites, with PILA being one of them.

Due to its close proximity to the mountain range, this farm experiences a unique rain pattern, with an abundance of rainfall even during the dry season. The consistent rainfall ensures lush greenery throughout the year and allows the coffee to grow continuously. Furthermore, the farm's microclimate and the rain contribute to a distinct flowering period, setting it apart from the majority of farms in Boquete.