Skip to main content

SPECIALTY — Panama Papers Coffee

Shop
Shop Member Login — Client Portal
← Back to Source Dossiers
Coffee Intelligence Report

#002: Café Cotito

Source Dossier — Volcán Highlands, Panamá
DECLASSIFIED

Source Verification

SourceCafé Cotito
RegionVolcán, Panama
Elevation1,450–1,550 MASL
Area54 hectares
Coffee~8 hectares
ProcessWashed
StatusFully Disclosed
Exhibit A: Source Farm
Origin
Nestled in the highlands between the districts of Volcán and Renacimiento in western Panama, Cotito Coffee is cultivated in a remote mountain environment that rewards visitors with breathtaking landscapes and exceptional coffee.
The farm is located approximately 15 kilometers from Volcán on the road toward Río Sereno, followed by a rugged 5-kilometer ascent accessible only by four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Elevation
1,450–1,550 MASL
Ideal growing conditions for specialty Arabica. Cherries mature slowly, developing greater complexity, sweetness, and aromatic depth.
A Unique Terroir
Natural thermal springs emerge at 35°C–45°C (95°F–113°F), contributing to the fertility and vitality of the surrounding ecosystem. Combined with elevation, rainfall, and soil, this creates coffees of exceptional complexity and balance.
The Farm

54 Hectares of Volcanic Terrain

Cotito Coffee spans 54 hectares, with approximately 8 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation under a natural canopy of banana and plantain trees.
15,000
Mature coffee trees in production
10,000+
Newly planted trees
5
Arabica varieties grown together
Cup Profile

A Dynamic Sensory Experience

Floral aromatics
Citrus brightness
Sweet fruit notes
Herbal complexity
Chocolate undertones
Delicate fermented nuances
Sustainable Farming Practices
Weed management is performed manually using brush cutters and machetes rather than herbicide-based systems. The farm operates without glyphosate-based herbicides, reflecting a commitment to responsible agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.
When necessary, targeted fungicide applications protect coffee trees from coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix), one of the most significant diseases affecting coffee production worldwide.
Processing
  1. Depulped
  2. Washed
  3. Carefully dried in on-site greenhouses

This controlled process helps preserve clarity, sweetness, and the distinctive character of the coffee.

Varieties

Five Arabica Varieties

Caturra (Red & Yellow)

A natural mutation of Bourbon. Bright citrus acidity, lemon-like notes, sweetness, and a balanced medium body.

Catuaí

Cross of Yellow Caturra and Mundo Novo. Chocolate, caramel, honey, toasted almonds, and baking spices.

Catimor

Hybrid of Timor and Caturra. Subtle herbal characteristics complemented by delicate fruit notes.

Typica

A foundational Arabica variety. Elegant, floral aromatics, refined acidity, and layered fruit complexity.

Pacamara

Extraordinary specialty coffees with clean sweetness, floral aromatics, tropical fruit character, and remarkable complexity.

Fully Disclosed

  • No mystery sourcing.
  • No vague origin stories.
  • No hidden details.
Just exceptional Panamanian coffee, fully disclosed.
Shop Cotito →