Mount Totumas Milkyway Catuai

This coffee is grown on the slopes of Barú Volcano, where Mount Totumas is located at high elevation under shade-grown conditions, surrounded by cloud forest. The cool climate and volcanic soil slow the ripening of the coffee cherries, allowing the cup to express greater clarity, sweetness, and a precise reflection of its terroir.

The farm cultivates Geisha alongside other varieties, with a strong emphasis on biodiversity and ecological balance. The result is an elegant, aromatic coffee that captures the distinctive character of the Panamanian highlands.

One of the processing methods used at Mount Totumas is called “Milky Way.” In this process, the coffee cherries are first depulped, then washed and soaked in water at 16–17°C for 24 hours before being drained and moved to the drying stage. Compared with a traditional washed process, this method brings greater complexity and a more stable sweetness structure to the cup.

Within this remarkable environment, we see the dedication of producer Karin De La Rosa (Dietrich), whose work is rooted in living harmoniously with nature in order to preserve and elevate the expression of terroir. At the cupping table, these qualities seem to transform into a sense of exploration—an invitation toward limitless possibilities for the future.

Mount Totumas

Mount Totumas is deeply defined by its ecological richness and distinctive terroir. The farm is located within a 162-hectare private nature reserve, directly bordering La Amistad, the largest highland forest park in Central America.

Originally used as pastureland, the area was gradually reforested by the farm owners and is now home to abundant native forest and more than 250 bird species, including the resplendent quetzal. This natural shade and ecological balance create an ideal microclimate for coffee cultivation, while organic matter from the surrounding forest contributes natural nutrients to the soil.

In its early years, the farm also benefited from guidance by Ratibor Hartmann of Finca Hartmann, one of the pioneers of specialty coffee in Panama, which helped establish the foundation for its high-quality production.

Mount Totumas has since earned international recognition, including winning first place in the Geisha Natural category at Best of Panama 2023, placing it among Panama’s most respected coffee estates alongside renowned producers such as Hacienda La Esmeralda and Elida Estate.

The farm is particularly known for its use of cold fermentation and natural processing. Thanks to the cool climate, fermentation progresses slowly and with precision, resulting in coffees that often show exceptional clarity, delicate florals, and layered sweetness reminiscent of tropical fruits and stone fruits.