72. The Discovery of Geisha and Legacy of Hacienda La Esmeralda | Daniel Peterson

Cole sits down with Daniel Peterson to pull back the curtain on a legacy that redefined specialty coffee. In a historic turn of events, Hacienda La Esmeralda accomplished what many thought impossible: a clean sweep of the podium at the 2025 Best of Panama, taking first place in the Geisha Washed, Geisha Natural, and Varietal categories.This conversation goes far beyond the awards.

Daniel recounts the "accidental" survival of the Geisha variety during a devastating fungus outbreak in 1999, an event that paved the way for the 2004 discovery that shocked the industry. They discuss the "uncharted territory" of the $30,204 per kilo price point and what it actually feels like to produce a coffee that commands $1,000 per cup.

FORWARD COFFEE

Find access to a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals. Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://forward.coffee

ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007

Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. We roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try our world-class coffees: www.rossocoffeeroasters.com

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