Category: Reviews / Coffee Beans
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I’ll admit it—I’ve been holding onto this one for a while.
When my latest shipment from Klatch Coffee arrived, I brewed this Panama Elida Estate Catuai within the first two weeks. But as a blogger, I sometimes worry about hitting the same notes too often. I’d already posted about their Geisha, and I didn’t want my feed to feel like a broken record. So, I waited. I posted other reviews, tried other roasters, and let this bag sit in my mind until today.
But every time I look back at my brewing notes from those first two weeks, I’m reminded of one specific afternoon. I was looking for a moment of “great relax”—that quiet window where the house is still and I can just focus on the pour.
The “Fruit Bomb” That Surprised Us
I usually describe these kinds of beans as a “fruit bomb.” Usually, that term comes with a warning: high acidity. I expected a sharp, sour punch that might be a bit polarizing. But to my surprise, the acidity was incredibly refined. It didn’t “bother” the palate; it danced on it.
The biggest surprise, however, was my wife’s reaction. If you remember my post on the El Salvador Geisha, Sue and I didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye on that one. But with this Panama Elida Catuai? Total agreement. We both found it remarkably smooth, sweet, and—most importantly—relaxing.
The Legend of Elida Estate (and that $1,029/lb record)
For those who don’t know the name, Elida Estate is essentially royalty in the coffee world. Located in the Boquete region of Panama, the farm is run by the Lamastus family, who have been cultivating coffee there since 1918.
They are the “rockstars” of the industry. In 2019, they made global headlines when their Elida Geisha Natural ASD sold for a record-shattering $1,029 per pound at the Best of Panama auction. To give you some perspective, the commodity price of coffee is often around $1 per pound. This farm operates on a different level entirely.
While their Geisha is the “superstar” that fetches these astronomical prices, this Catuai variety proves that their craftsmanship extends to every bean they grow. The farm is perched at a high altitude (up to 2,500 meters!) near a volcanic national park, which creates a unique microclimate that allows the cherries to ripen slowly, packing in all that complex sweetness.
Brewing the Moment
- Brewer: Chemex 8-Cup Classic
- Filter: Chemex Natural Coffee Filters, Square
- Kettle: Bodum 27oz Bistro Gooseneck
- Grinder: Cuisinart Coffee Grinder dbm – 8
I pulled out the Chemex for this one. The clarity of the glass matches the clarity of the cup.
- The Scent: Intense stone fruit and a hint of cocoa.
- The Taste: Think ripe nectarines and berries, but wrapped in a creamy, milk-chocolate finish.
- The Vibe: This isn’t a “wake up and go” coffee. This is a “sit down and breathe” coffee.
After tasting how they handle a Catuai, I’ve officially put their award-winning Geisha on my “must-buy” list for the blog. If they can make a Catuai taste this explosive, I can only imagine what their prize-winning Geisha does.
Reference Links for your Post:
- Farm History: Lamastus Family Estates – Elida Estate
- Auction News: Daily Coffee News: Elida Estate Earns $1,029 Per Pound
- Klatch Product Page: Panama Elida Catuai Natural at Klatch Coffee