ALVARO GONZALEZ Washed Caturra/Catuai Lot #1

Alvaro Gonzalez Lot #1 is the inaugural and only lot of coffee to be exported from the province of Coclé in Panama (Lot #2 expected in early 2021). This was a nano-lot, with a total of 45kg (100lbs) produced.

The coffee was produced by La Buena Tierra, a coffee processing facility in the highlands of Barreta, Coclé founded by Damian Reed and managed by Alvaro Gonzalez. See Project Panama video below. 

This specific lot was grown on Alvaro's own farm which is a 2 hour walk away from the processing facility. Driving this route is not possible due to poor infrastructure and lack of paved roads in Barreta, Coclé.

During the rainy harvest season, Alvaro has to transport thousands of pounds of wet coffee cherries from his farm to the processing station on his back. It's not a pleasant experience and since he is usually exhausted by the time he reaches, he ends up staying the night. Then he goes back to his farm and repeats the process until all his cherries have been transported. Alvaro is one of the hardest workers we have ever met.

Details

Origin: Panama

Region: Barreta, Coclé

Elevation: 1000-1100 Meters

Variety: Caturra/Catuai

Process: Washed

Harvest: December 2019