Aurora Estate Coffee Beans

When it comes to Gesha coffee, the most famous name is undoubtedly the Green Coffee Company, the pioneer behind Gesha’s global popularity. However, there are now many renowned coffee farms producing high-quality Gesha as well. One such farm is Panama’s Aurora Estate — their washed Gesha took first place in the 2013 Best of Panama (BOP) competition, and their natural processed Gesha won the BOP championship in 2016.

The Aurora Estate spans 31 hectares, with 15 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation at elevations between 1,485 and 1,700 meters, and a rainforest conservation area located at 1,700–1,775 meters. The average altitude for coffee planting is 1,600 meters, with an annual average temperature of 16–25°C and rainfall of 3,500 mm. The current owner, Roberto Brenes, has managed the farm since 2006. Since taking over, Roberto has replanted much of the farm with native beneficial trees, creating an optimal environment for healthy coffee growth. The beans produced here have won numerous national and international awards.

Owned by Roberto Brenes, the Aurora Estate is located in the northwest corner of Chiriquí Province, in the Piedra La Candela region, just 2 kilometers from the Costa Rican border. The estate is dedicated to producing high-quality Gesha, alongside other SHB coffees such as Finca Auromar (named after Roberto’s daughter Aurora and granddaughter Mar) and Finca Alma. The farm lies between altitudes of 1,579 and 1,770 meters, covering 30 hectares — 14.5 of which are cultivated, while the rest remain pristine highland tropical forest.

Roberto Brenes is a truly fascinating individual. As a director of the Panama Stock Exchange and former director of the Central Bank of Panama, he is a well-known authority in the local financial sector. Having been an outspoken critic of the Noriega regime and having spent years abroad earning his MBA in New York, he lived in exile for several years. A passionate triathlete and dedicated coffee grower, Roberto brings the same enthusiasm to coffee farming that he does to all aspects of life — and the results speak for themselves.