Crop:
2023 / 2024.

Country of origin:
Panama.

Coffee variety:
100% Arabica: Caturra, Catuai & Natural.

Coffee plantation:
Finca Hartmann Estate, Volcán district.

Brewing method espresso:
Espresso machine, fully automatic and with milk.

Discovering the Panama Hartmann Natural - Lot 34 - Limited Edition
The personal story of coffee buyer Rick Maas

While traveling in Panama, I was invited to sample several coffees from the Hartmann family. When cupping, the Geisha coffees in particular stood out, but one coffee really stood out: a Caturra Natural with pronounced fruit notes of raspberries and blueberries, and floral hints of hibiscus and rose. After a second round of tasting, this coffee remained my favorite because of its complexity and clarity. The other coffees were also great, but the Panama Hartmann Natural - Lot 34 left a lasting impression on me. So I felt I had to purchase this coffee immediately so you can taste it now!
Read the full story of the discovery of this Limited Edition coffee

Meet the Coffee Farmer:
Coffee Farmer: Hartmann Family
Coffee: Panama Hartmann Natural
Plantation: Finca Hartmann Estate
Location: District Volcán

The Coffee Farmer:
The Hartmann family is one of the pioneers of specialty coffee production in Panama. Alois Strasil Hartmann emigrated to Panama. His son Ratibor Hartmann laid the foundation for Finca Hartmann in 1940. Finca Hartmann is a 3rd and 4th generation family business. All family members are passionately involved in running the finca. Coffee for them is a way of life, their culture, their family - a lot of work, but also a lot of love, passion and dedication, resulting in a consistently high quality of their coffee.

"My father has always linked coffee production to environmental conservation."
Ratibor Hartmann

The plantation and coffee:
Founded in 1940 by Ratibor Hartmann, Finca Hartmann became world-renowned primarily for its sustainable farming practices and biodiversity. All coffee is grown in the shade of native trees that also serve as habitat for numerous bird species. The Finca consists of several smaller farms/plots, all located between 1,300 and 2,000 meters above sea level with nearly 100 hectares of forest reserves adjacent to the Parque Nacional de La Amistad.

Natural coffee
The process of unwashed coffee is the oldest processing method in existence. This process requires extreme precision. The picked coffee berries are placed in the sun: the berry dries out, making it easy to remove the bean with a machine called a huller. This is a machine that cracks the coffee berry and pushes out the coffee bean. The duration of drying varies between 8 and 12 days. This depends on the weather. It is very important to remove the coffee berry in time to avoid over-fermentation. Drying this way is done on patios or on raised drying beds. This method is much faster, cleaner and more efficient than drying on traditional concrete patios.

What does it do to the flavor?
As the pulp dries out in the sun, the sugars from the pulp migrate into the coffee bean. This gives this coffee a much sweeter, fruitier flavor profile and a subtle body.

Organization:
The plantation normally employs about 35 people. At harvest time, 200 indigenous families live on the plantation. In Panama, coffee farmers also provide housing for their staff. The Hartmann family provides a safe, good living environment, equipped with electricity and clean drinking water. Certainly not a given in the coffee world!

In Latin America, Panama is among the relatively wealthy countries, comparable to Chile, Argentina and Mexico. It has the highest minimum wage in the region. The Hartmann family attaches great importance to paying their workers a decent income and providing them with good housing and living conditions. Only in this way, for example, can the pickers actually pick the right, ripe berries, rather than haphazardly picking for the highest possible kilo yield. The plantation has sufficient natural water and cultivation in the middle of the rainforest ensures excellent soil and minimal environmental impact.

Downloads:

BOOT Coffee Brew Guide (PDF)