Panama — Carmen Estate Caturra

Founded in 1960 on the slopes of Volcán Barú, Carmen Estate has become one of Panama’s most respected coffee farms. Originally purchased by Carmen Franceschi and her husband Efrain, the estate has remained family-owned for three generations and is now led by their grandson, Carlos Aguilera Franceschi.

As interest in Panamanian specialty coffee grew in the early 2000s, Carlos invested heavily in quality-focused cultivation and processing infrastructure, helping establish Carmen Estate among the country’s leading producers. Since then, the farm has been consistently recognised in the Best of Panama competition, including a winning washed Geisha in 2023 and top-five placements across every category in 2024.

Situated at 1,800 metres above sea level in Boquete’s volcanic highlands, the estate benefits from warm days and cool evenings that slow cherry maturation and contribute to cup complexity. Native tree cover provides natural shade and supports healthy, biologically rich soils, underpinning the estate’s ecological focus and distinctive cup quality.