731 Panama Bambito Estate Caturra/Catuai

＜Bambito Estate＞

The Bambito Estate was established in 1945. Since its founding, the farm has remained committed above all to producing better coffee, and for nearly 80 years, that philosophy has been passed down through the family. Today, the fourth and fifth generations continue to carry on this legacy, making Bambito Estate one of Panama’s highly regarded specialty coffee farms.

The farm is located in Bambito, Chiriquí, Panama, at an elevation of 1,660–1,850 meters above sea level, in a cool mountainous region surrounded by two national forest parks. A ridge runs through the center of the farm, creating two distinct microclimates within the same estate. The ridge also protects the coffee trees from the strong northern winds that blow during the summer, allowing the cherries to mature slowly and develop complex sweetness and beautiful acidity. It feels as though nature itself is the finest piece of equipment this farm has.

At Bambito Estate, producing high-quality coffee and protecting the natural environment are considered inseparable. After harvesting, the cherries are pulped and the mucilage is removed before being primarily sun-dried until they reach the ideal moisture level. The coffee pulp generated during processing is not discarded. Instead, it is turned into organic fertilizer. After several months of slow composting, the fertilizer is returned to the coffee trees, helping to enrich the soil.

The farm also has greenhouses and a cupping room, allowing the team to carefully manage everything from seedling cultivation to quality control. We believe that this commitment to taking care of every small detail is what enables the farm to consistently produce delicious coffee year after year.

Bambito Estate cares about more than just coffee. During the harvest season, many local families work on the farm, supporting coffee production together with the local community. The farm also provides breakfast to a nearby elementary school and hosts an annual Christmas gathering where local residents are invited to come together and celebrate.

There is a natural sense of community rooted in the philosophy that great coffee is nurtured by both a rich natural environment and the people who live and work there.

This is another lot that Tetsu selected during his visit to Panama in March this year. On this trip, rather than visiting the farm itself, we had the opportunity to tour the processing facility and cup their coffees.

What left the strongest impression on us was how sincere and meticulous the farm felt.

Rather than being a large facility filled with the latest equipment, the building had a warm atmosphere that seemed to reflect the family’s long history. It was not flashy, but every corner of the facility was beautifully maintained. There was a certain atmosphere that naturally made us think, “This is a place where great coffee can be produced.”

One detail that particularly stood out was the way everyone entered and exited the temperature-controlled rooms. The farm team made sure to close the doors quickly so that the cold air would not escape. It may seem like a very small thing, but we felt that this kind of attention to detail comes from knowing that these small actions ultimately contribute to coffee quality.

The desire to deliver better coffee was evident in everything they did.

That impression remained unchanged during the cupping we held after the tour. Every coffee was remarkably clean, allowing the individual characteristics of each variety to express themselves naturally. The coffees were not simply clean; they also had rich flavors and a sense of the strength and character of the land where they were grown.

They are not coffees that try to impress you with their intensity or flamboyance. Instead, one sip naturally gives you the feeling that this is a coffee that has been made with great care.

We feel that Bambito Estate has this quiet, sincere kind of excellence.

This particular lot is a blend of Caturra and Catuai varieties. We roasted it light to highlight its delicate citrus and floral characteristics, along with its soft, silky texture.

Because the coffee had a relatively low moisture content in the 8% range, we extended the drying phase of the roast slightly to ensure that heat could penetrate evenly into the beans. After first crack, the rate of rise drops significantly, making heat management particularly challenging with this coffee.

We recommend allowing it to rest for around 20 days after roasting. With sufficient aging, the coffee’s soft texture and clean, elegant finish become even more pronounced.

As soon as you pour hot water over the coffee, an elegant aroma rises from the cup. Herbal and floral notes gently emerge, creating a relaxing and refined impression.

You may find a soft sweetness and acidity reminiscent of pomelo and red cherry, layered with the sweetness of honey and walnut. While hot, delicate floral aromas come forward, giving the coffee an elegant character. As it cools, the flavor gradually develops into something calmer and reminiscent of sweet black tea.

This is not a coffee that demands attention with bold or flashy flavors. Instead, its smooth texture, which glides gently across the palate, and its refined sweetness that lingers softly after each sip reveal its quality little by little.

The more you drink, the more clearly you begin to appreciate the care and precision behind it.

It is a cup that quietly and naturally expresses what “high quality” can be.

A family farm passed down through generations, a rich natural environment, and the dedication to carefully carrying out the small tasks of everyday work. Having visited the farm ourselves, we feel that the clean and beautiful character of this coffee reflects the sincere attitude of the people at Bambito Estate.

Rather than surprising you with its very first sip, this is a coffee that gradually makes you think, “Ah, this is really delicious,” as you continue to drink it.

That quiet, understated beauty is what makes this coffee special.

We recommend giving it a little extra time to rest, brewing it in your favorite cup, and taking your time to enjoy it.

We hope you enjoy this gentle and refined cup, shaped by the long history, dedication, and care that the people of Bambito Estate have built over generations.