Exhibiting at HOTELEX Shanghai 2025

Hacienda La Esmeralda, located in the highlands of Boquete, Panama, is one of the most prestigious and internationally awarded specialty coffee producers in the world. Renowned for its exceptional Geisha varietal, Hacienda La Esmeralda has played a pivotal role in redefining global specialty coffee standards through innovation, transparency, and meticulous quality control from farm to cup.

Company Overview

Founded in 1967 and family-run by the Peterson family, Hacienda La Esmeralda transitioned from traditional cattle ranching and coffee farming into a world-class specialty coffee operation. The estate encompasses multiple microclimates across its three primary farms—Jaramillo, El Velo, and Cañas Verdes—all located at elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,900 meters above sea level.

With a focus on sustainability, traceability, and cup quality, the company has earned global recognition for producing some of the highest-scoring coffees ever auctioned.

Product and Service Offerings

Hacienda La Esmeralda offers a portfolio of rare and highly sought-after coffees under two main categories:

1. Geisha Coffee (Arabica – Geisha Varietal)

• Esmeralda Auction: Ultra-premium microlots sold through the company’s annual online auction
• Esmeralda Special: Reserved for elite roasters and competitions, known for jasmine, bergamot, and stone fruit profiles
• Esmeralda Private Collection: Widely distributed among premium roasters globally, still scoring above 88 SCA points

2. Other Varietals

• Catuai (Diamond Mountain): Full-bodied, traditional Central American flavor profile
• Laurina, SL-34, Pacamara, Landrace: Limited quantities, experimental lots

3. Cascara (Coffee Cherry Tea)

• Esmeralda Cascara: Dried coffee fruit offering delicate sweetness and floral notes

Each product is traceable to the specific lot, date of harvest, and processing method (washedtural, or honey), with cupping notes and SCA scores available per lot.

Core Strengths and Unique Selling Proposition

• First producer to isolate and commercialize the Geisha varietal in Panama, creating global demand
• Annual Auction Platform: The Esmeralda Auction sets global price benchmarks for Geisha coffee
• Unparalleled Quality: Coffees consistently score 88–94 points on the SCA scale
• Innovative Processing: Uses controlled fermentation, slow drying, and custom drying beds

Their top Geisha microlots have fetched over $1,000 per pound, reflecting unmatched sensory quality and rarity.

Financials and Export Activity

Though privately held, Hacienda La Esmeralda's auction and direct trade activities are widely reported:

• Annual Esmeralda Auction sales exceed $500,000, with individual lots reaching record-breaking prices (e.g., $1,029/lb in 2019)
• Exporting to over 40 countries, including Japan, South Korea, USA, Germany, Taiwan, and Australia
• Total green coffee export volume is relatively small (~300–500 bags/year), but represents the ultra-premium segment of the market
• Sells to high-end roasters, barista champions, and specialty coffee brands globally

All coffees are direct-trade, eliminating intermediaries and enhancing transparency for buyers.

Market and Target Audience

Hacienda La Esmeralda targets an elite segment of the specialty coffee market:

• World-class roasters and coffee shops
• Barista competition participants (World Barista Championship, Brewers Cup)
• Luxury hospitality and boutique retailers
• Specialty importers of high-scoring microlots

Their clients are focused on cup quality, origin transparency, and exclusivity.

Capabilities and Infrastructure

The farm operates under a fully integrated model:

• On-site wet and dry mills
• Solar-powered drying patios and African beds
• In-house QC lab with certified Q graders and sample roasting facilities
• Digital traceability system documenting every stage of production

They also invest in genetic research and soil analysis, ensuring continued innovation and sustainable production.

Certifications and Compliance

• Rainforest Alliance Certified
• C.A.F.E. Practices verified
• Compliance with USDA and EU Organic Processing Protocols (non-certified but followed in select lots)
• Full traceability documentation provided with each lot

Sanitary, phytosanitary, and quality certifications are provided per buyer’s regulatory needs.

Customer Feedback and Recognition

“La Esmeralda Geisha is a reference point in specialty coffee. Our competition baristas insist on it.”
— Specialty Coffee Roaster, Japan

“The auction system ensures transparency and origin integrity. Quality is beyond comparison.”
— Green Coffee Buyer, Australia

Their coffees have been used by multiple World Barista Champions and remain a benchmark for excellence.

Major Achievements

• First place in Best of Panama multiple times since 2004
• Set the world auction price record for green coffee in 2019
• Featured in Forbes, CNN, Bloomberg, and BBC
• Developed an exclusive, invite-only auction platform emulated by other elite producers
• Hosts annual origin tours and training for international buyers and baristas

Hacienda La Esmeralda continues to define the frontier of specialty coffee with its unwavering focus on terroir, innovation, and the legendary Geisha cup profile that captivates connoisseurs around the globe.