Tasting Notes

Floral, Strawberry, Kiwi & Dried Oranges.

Roast Level

Process

Particulars

Elevation:	1,800 m
Variety:	Geisha
Process Type:	Natural
Producer:	Penderosa

About this Specialty Coffee

Perched on the verdant slopes of Volcan Baru in Panama's celebrated Chiriquí Province, Ponderosa Coffee Estate represents a remarkable new chapter in specialty coffee excellence. The Espresso Lab has been following this rising star with great interest since Gilberto Cardoze acquired the estate in 2020, recognizing in Ponderosa a kindred commitment to pushing the boundaries of coffee quality. In just its second harvest year, this exceptional farm has already established itself as a significant presence in Panama's prestigious coffee landscape, producing beans that The Espresso Lab is privileged to introduce to our discerning clientele.

What particularly excites The Espresso Lab about our partnership with Ponderosa is their innovative spirit, exemplified by their signature 7-day anaerobic fermentation process. Under the expert guidance of Ratibor Hartmann, who brings generations of coffee wisdom to the operation, and Processing Manager Edgar, Ponderosa has developed this extraordinary technique where hand-selected cherries undergo sealed fermentation in steel tanks, followed by precise drying on African beds and in mechanical dryers. This meticulous approach yields a cup profile of remarkable complexity that The Espresso Lab's customers have embraced enthusiastically—featuring vibrant notes of passion fruit and red grapes balanced by raspberry brightness and rich cocoa nib depth.

The estate's privileged location at 1700 meters above sea level, with stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by biodiversity-rich rainforest, provides ideal conditions for cultivating their diverse portfolio of prestigious Arabica varieties, including Geisha, Caturra, Pacamara, and Sidra. The Espresso Lab values Ponderosa's holistic approach to coffee cultivation, which extends beyond production to environmental stewardship through the planting of native shade trees that enhance both biodiversity and soil health. This alignment of values—excellence in cup quality coupled with sustainable practices—forms the foundation of our growing relationship with this exceptional producer.

Through featuring Ponderosa's coffees, The Espresso Lab offers our customers a window into the exciting evolution of Panamanian specialty coffee—where tradition meets innovation, where meticulous attention to detail yields extraordinary sensory experiences, and where new voices like Ponderosa are continuing to establish Panama's global reputation for coffee excellence. Each cup tells the story of an estate that, though young in years, demonstrates remarkable maturity in its approach to quality and sustainability—principles that resonate deeply with The Espresso Lab's own mission of bringing truly exceptional coffee experiences to our community.