Panama — The Peterson Family Hacienda La Esmeralda SL34

Tastes Like — 🍇 Kyoho Grape • 🫐 Raspberry • 🍵 Black Tea

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DETAILS

• Producer: The Peterson Family
• Farm: Hacienda La Esmeralda, Cañas Verdes
• Region: Boquete, Panama
• Varietal: SL34
• Process: Natural (26-day slow dry)
• Altitude: 1750 masl
• Harvest/Lot: 3rd January 2025 - SL34 2NB
• Size: 4oz / 114g

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INTRO

This SL34 from Hacienda La Esmeralda's Cañas Verdes farm showcases the Peterson family's mastery of natural processing. The cup delivers Kyoho grape richness, raspberry brightness, and black tea elegance—a beautifully balanced profile that demonstrates how the rare SL34 variety expresses itself under natural processing. Harvested on 3rd January 2025 and slow-dried for 26 days on raised beds at their Palmira mill, this lot represents the exceptional quality that has made Hacienda La Esmeralda a legendary name in specialty coffee.

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THE PRODUCER

The Peterson family has operated Hacienda La Esmeralda in Boquete, Panama, for generations, establishing a global reputation for producing some of the world's finest coffees. The Cañas Verdes farm, situated at 1,750 metres above sea level on the slopes of Volcán Barú, benefits from the region's unique microclimate—volcanic soil, consistent rainfall, and cool mountain breezes create ideal conditions for developing complex flavour profiles. The Petersons are renowned for their meticulous attention to varietal selection and processing innovation.

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THE PROCESS

This lot underwent slow natural processing at Hacienda La Esmeralda's Palmira mill:

• 🍒 Harvested — 3rd January 2025, peak ripeness
• ☀️ Slow Dried — 26 days on raised beds
• 🔄 Careful Turning — Regular rotation for even drying
• 📊 Monitored — Temperature and humidity controlled

The extended 26-day drying period allows sugars to develop fully whilst maintaining clarity, creating a natural processed coffee with exceptional fruit character and balance.

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THE VARIETY

SL34 is a rare Kenyan variety from the Scott Laboratories selection programme, part of the French Mission group. Known for its exceptional cup quality and distinctive fruit characteristics, SL34 typically thrives at high altitudes. The variety's expression in Panamanian terroir under natural processing creates a unique cup profile that combines African fruit intensity with Central American clarity.

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THE CUP

Rich and complex with Kyoho grape depth, raspberry brightness, and black tea elegance. A stunning expression of how SL34 performs under expert natural processing.

Flavour Notes

• 🍇 Kyoho Grape
• 🫐 Raspberry
• 🍵 Black Tea

What is the roast recency?

We recommend brewing with beans that are at least two weeks off roast. All beans are roasted to peak flavour at around 6-12 weeks. We have the option to either purchase standard beans (at least 2 weeks but no longer than 6 weeks off roast), or rested beans (at least 7 weeks off roast, no longer than 12 - should we have any left in stock!). For peak flavour, if you are looking to use immediately, we recommend purchasing the rested beans. If you are adding to your rotation of beans, we recommend purchasing the standard and allowing the beans to naturally rest and mature whilst you rotate through other beans.

What does 'Filter' or 'Espresso' Roast mean?

Typically filter is roasted lighter than espresso, though this is not always the case. Several factors play into what brands a Manhattan coffee as 'filter' or 'espresso', which includes the roast profile - i.e. how the beans are roasted, not just how developed a roast it is. It doesn't preclude you from using the beans for espresso though!