Carmen Estate 1750 Reserve, New Crop 2008
Carmen Estate has long been recognized as one of the worlds finest coffees and is now Rainforest Alliance Certified. This year's crop was the 2nd place coffee (Esmeralda Estate was #1), at the Rainforest Alliance Fifth Annual Cupping for Quality.
Coffee Review gave it a 91 and said it had a "profile with hints of caramel, honey, fruit, toasted grains and chocolate. Bright, tangy acidity, with a full, elegant mouthfeel. A well balanced cup, tangy Key lime and juicy orange-like tones fade toward a round, satisfying sweetness. A clean aftertaste overall, with slight hints of melted milk chocolate lingering in the long finish."
CARMEN ESTATE COFFEE is a family owned business. They are sustainable coffee growers and very high quality green coffee exporters. In 1950 Efrain and Carmen Franceschi began cultivating arabica coffee varieties on their estates. Today their single estate and mill –beneficio- is managed by their sons and grandsons. It produces just 1,200 bags (60 kg each) of unique quality green coffee beans.
It is located in Volcan Valley at an altitude of 1750 meters (5,600ft); latitude 8°49’25’’N; longitude 82°37’55’’W. The valley is considered the most important area in mountain and shade grown coffee plantations of The Baru Volcano region in Panama, Central America.
This micro-region is heavily influenced by its proximity to both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean. The cool, frost free nights typical of the area are coupled with dry, sun drenched days which together create optimal growing conditions.
