Top shelf selection: Panama Geisha - Finca Hartmann

Panamanian Geisha Arabica is the world's most prestigious coffee variety. The subtle, delicate flavors of this coffee are created on the branches of coffee trees growing in the shade of the rainforest on the Finca Hartmann family farm at an altitude of 1300–200 meters in the Santa Clara region. The coffee's aromas include floral notes, peach, jasmine and hints of black tea.

The award-winning Finca Hartmann farm has been growing quality coffee for a long time

Very little Geisha is produced each year, and even fewer quality batches. Lehmus Roastery's Finca Hartmann Geisha comes from an award-winning farm: the Hartmann family farm has won the Best Of Panama coffee competition several times.

The Hartmanns grow coffee in the shelter of the rainforest, meaning the coffee plants grow in the shade of larger trees. This allows the coffee berries to ripen at a leisurely pace. The farm extends from 1300 meters to 2000 meters above sea level, meaning the growing altitude is optimal for growing quality coffee.

They also take care of the rainforest: in addition to coffee bushes, they plant trees on their property, and over 300 different species of birds can be spotted on their property.

The coffee has been processed using the washing method, meaning that after picking, the skin has been removed from the coffee berry and then the beans have been washed with water. The coffee's own aromas are at their strongest in this way, and the taste is not affected by extraneous factors. After drying, the coffee beans are packed in a vacuum package.

The history of Finca Hartmann begins in early 20th century Europe

Finca Hartmann was founded in 1940 and is currently run by the third generation of the family. Finca Hartmann is considered one of the pioneers and forerunners of Panama's specialty coffee culture.

The story of Finca Hartmann begins in 1912, when Alois Strasil Hartmann left the then Austro-Hungarian Empire in search of adventure! He ended up in Panama City through New York and Central America. However, the city did not interest him and he started following telephone lines out of the city towards new lands and manta rays. Alois eventually ended up on his journey really far to the western edge of Panama, to the very remote and mountainous Volcan region, where he became the first inhabitant of the area.

The years passed, among other things, as a cattle herder (2,000 cows and 1,000 donkeys), working at a hotel in a slightly larger city and again in the Vulcan area. He even spent time as a prisoner in the heat of World War I, was released, returned to Panama and got married. He founded his first coffee farm in the 1920s. The farm was called Tizingal, which means "mine of the stars" in the Guaymi language. Alois was always looking for opportunities for mines and he was interested in archaeology.

Over the years, Alois acquired 500 hectares of land from the state, some of which was originally intended for coffee cultivation. In 1940, his son, Ratibor Hartmann , inherited 100 hectares of natural forest and founded Finca Hartmann on this estate. At the time, the 20-year-old son, Ratibor Hartmann, was working for the US Army in the capital, Panama City, but moved back west and began growing coffee.

Alois' true passion, rather than cattle and coffee, was archaeology. In addition to founding the coffee family, he is still known for his career in archaeological research in Panama and its western region.

Among other things, Alois' name can be found in interesting photos from the 1950s, when he and Ratibor guided researchers from the Smithsonian Institution to unexplored areas of Panama.

Country: Panama
Area: Chiriqui, Santa Clara
Grower: Hartmann family
Variety: Geisha Arabica
Altitude: 1300–2000 meters
Processing: Washed processing
Special: Coffee grows under rainforest trees as a shade plant

The coffee aromas include fruity sweetness, floral notes, jasmine and peach.