Damarli Estate: Our First Panama Geisha

Panama Geisha — Damarli Estate

Tasting Notes | Jasmine · Bergamot · Orange Blossom · Marzipan · Lemongrass

This coffee didn’t start for us at a cupping table. It started on the farm.

In March, Rachel and Graysen traveled to Boquete, Panama and spent time at Damarli Estate with producer David Pech. The goal wasn’t just to taste coffee—it was to understand how it’s made, where the decisions happen, and what actually shapes a lot like this Geisha before it ever reaches export.

What we found was a farm built on precision at every level, from cultivation all the way through fermentation and drying.

The Farm

Damarli Estate sits on the slopes west of Volcán Barú at 1450–1500 meters above sea level. The land itself plays a major role in what makes this coffee possible. Volcanic soils, a defined dry season, and steady elevation all contribute to slow, even development of the cherry.

But the farm is just as intentional as the environment.

Portions of the estate remain primary forest, creating natural wind protection and supporting a balanced ecosystem. Shade trees are used strategically to regulate temperature, improve soil health, and reduce the need for chemical inputs. Each coffee variety is planted in its own dedicated plot, allowing cultivation practices to be tailored specifically to its needs.

It’s a system built around control through observation, not speed.

Harvest & Sorting

At Damarli, harvest begins with a simple rule: only ripe cherries.

Pickers follow a strict “solo rojo” approach, selecting only fully red fruit. This level of selectivity ensures sweetness and consistency before processing even begins. Each day’s harvest is kept separate by plot and variety, forming distinct day lots that are hand-sorted and floated to remove defects.

By the time coffee reaches fermentation, it has already been heavily refined.

The Noble Process

This Geisha is processed using Damarli’s Noble process, a controlled anaerobic fermentation designed to build complexity while maintaining clarity.

After sorting, cherries are placed into a sealed, oxygen-free environment with selected yeast strains. Over several days, fermentation is carefully monitored as the yeast produces esters that shape aromatics and fruit expression.

Once fermentation is complete, the coffee is moved to raised beds for slow, even drying. Airflow and consistent movement are critical here, helping preserve the clarity developed during fermentation. Larger lots may be finished in mechanical dryers, but always under controlled conditions to stabilize moisture content.

After drying, the coffee rests in temperature-controlled storage for several months before final milling and preparation for export.

The Cup

Rainier Cherry · Jasmine · Orange Blossom · Crisp Apple

The result is a Geisha that is lifted and refined—floral aromatics up front, a bright and structured acidity, and a clean, tea-like body that carries through to a long, delicate finish.

Why This Coffee

Geisha is often spoken about in terms of flavor, but what makes this lot meaningful is everything behind those flavors. At Damarli Estate, every step is intentional—from how seedlings are selected years before a harvest, to how shade trees shape the microclimate, to the strict discipline of only picking fully ripe cherries. Nothing is rushed, and nothing is left to chance.

That level of care carries through the entire process. The Noble fermentation isn’t used to mask or transform the coffee, but to refine what is already there, building aromatic complexity while preserving the inherent clarity of the Geisha variety. Even drying and resting are treated as active parts of development.

Spending time on the farm made it clear that this coffee isn’t defined by a single moment, but by consistency over years. It’s the result of repetition, restraint, and a shared understanding between producer and roaster of what this coffee is meant to be.

This is our first Panamanian Geisha from Damarli Estate, and it reflects a relationship built directly at origin.

You can experience this coffee for yourself now and can find it on our website. https://loreroasters.com/products/panama-geisha-direct-trade