Empoliyan Manor Coffee Beans

Panamanian coffee has risen to prominence in the past two or three decades. As we marvel at today’s exorbitantly priced Panamanian Geisha coffee and enjoy its refined floral and fruity flavors, it's worth taking a brief look at Panama’s coffee-growing regions to explore how terroir influences coffee flavor.

For a long time in coffee history, Panamanian coffee was underestimated or even overlooked. This perception didn’t change until the recent annual international cupping competition “Best of Panama” and the emergence of Hacienda La Esmeralda. While the appeal of the coffee itself drew global attention, the astonishingly high prices also played no small part.

Some small farms produce Geisha variety beans that captivate coffee enthusiasts worldwide with their unique floral aromas. While Geisha is a major contributor to Panama’s fine coffee reputation, most coffee plants in the country are Typica and Caturra varieties. Coffee is grown in nearly all regions. Panamanian coffee boasts intense floral aromas and clean fruit notes, often surpassing other expensive coffees in cupping quality—with surprising flavors and consistent excellence.

The honey-processed beans from Panama’s Chiriquí District, particularly the Boquete region, have received great acclaim and impressive scores. The pioneers of honey processing in the area include Empoliyan Manor (Emporium Estate) and Los Lajones Estate, both owned by the same family—Graciano Cruz and his clan.Empoliyan ManorThe farm was established under this name in 2007. Spanning 14 hectares, it is divided into three sections and co-owned by the three Graciano Cruz brothers. Forty years ago, they began cultivating a variety of crops, which has resulted in the diverse plant species seen today. Coffee isn’t the only crop grown on the farm—about half consists of oranges, citrus, lemons, guavas, and avocados. When in bloom, the farm becomes a vibrant garden where a rich mix of fragrances and colors intermingle. The Panamanian natural-process beans produced here are rare, distinctive, and truly one of a kind.

That concludes the introduction to Panama’s Boquete region and Empoliyan Manor.