Panama Boquete Coffee Growing Region - The Land of the Eternal Rainbow and Superb Coffee!

Boquete is located in the Province of Chiriqui, Panama's southwestern most distant province next to Costa Rica's southern border. The District of Boquete includes 6 counties or townships: Alto Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Boquete, Caldera, Los Naranjos and Palmira. The capital of the Chiriqui Province is David, located at 4,000 feet altitude. The region is affectionately called "...the land of the eternal rainbow..." because, very often, several rainbows are present at the same time over the valley. A truly beautiful sight.

Panama's geographic conditions are very interesting and help one understand some unique characteristics of this country and its great coffee.

Panama's geographical orientation is east to west, not north to south.
The Atlantic or Caribbean ocean is on the north and the Pacific ocean is to the south.
The sun rises and sets over the Pacific, not over the Atlantic.
The "dry season" ("Winter") runs from December through March.
The "cooler wet season" ("Summer") runs from April through November.
Temperatures change according to the elevation, the cloud cover and the amount of rainfall.
It is a good idea to be prepared for unexpected weather changes of up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and very cold nights in mountainous areas.

The Boquete region is in a valley on the eastern side of an extinct volcano (over 500 years so far) called Volcán Barú which is National Park (over 35,000 acres of land) rising to over 12,000 feet above sea level. Barú features 6 life zone eco-areas which offer a great natural habitat to abundant and unique flora and fauna, especially birds. For example, there are over 250 bird species in the park area. Animals include jaguar, tapir, puma, deer, coati (a relative of the raccoon), armadillo, rabbit, 2 and 3-toed sloths, many kinds of monkeys, and even the famous and strikingly colorful Quetzal bird!

Boquete's economy depends on agriculture, eco-tourism and coffee. Boquete coffee is considered among the best in the world.

The cool humid mountain air of the area helps produce exceptional coffee cherries and supports organic, shade coffee growing practices.
Panama has the smallest production of coffee in Central America.
However, Panama coffee growers are committed to quality over quantity and have established a solid reputation for excellence that consistently ranks their beans at the top.
Sustainable coffee growing is Panama's trademark, synonymous with best in class in the specialty gourmet coffee market.
In addition, Boquete's farming practices benefit from the unique human appeal and charm of indigenous people hand picking coffee while clad in colorful native attire amidst a true festive environment.
What makes coffee picking so appealing in Panama is that what you observe is genuine and part of the daily life. Colorfully attired Indian families come from different parts of the province to harvest the coffee cherries from October through February.
Coffee is primarily picked by groups such as the Guamy, the Ngobe Bugle, and the Cuna or Kuna Indians.

Often, Panama Boquete Coffee is compared to wine. This is so true: this coffee is truly as delicious and special as the great wines from the French region of Bordeaux. Panama Boquete Coffee has earned its reputation among the best in the world for several years based on results from recognized international coffee cupping competitions and buyer demand. Panama Boquete Coffee is complex and distinctive, featuring hints of uncultivated flowers such as jasmine, mandarin, berries or other. Why is that?

The Boquete Region has some of the most beautiful and stunning flower gardens in the world!

The verdant and colorful natural production of Boquete rivals that of the great European Mediterranean gardens of Monaco, Italy or those of California and South Africa.
Bromeliads of all sizes and colors cover the shade trees in the coffee fincas. There are several subfamilies of bromeliads: pineapples and Spanish moss are both kinds of bromeliads.
In coffee plantations, bromeliads are epiphytic ("parasitic") plants that grow naturally in Panama's tropical environment.
Orchids, another epiphytic species found in coffee habitats, also grow naturally in the Boquete region. Draping moss covering trees and vegetation is everywhere. In a way, the "coffee forests" look magical and surreal.
Coffee plantations are also noisy areas with bird calls constantly echoing from one end to another.
Flowerbeds of jasmine flowers, mostly white but also some species of yellow flowers, are a recurrent sight with a permeating unique fragrance.
The Boquete region is also famous for very sweet and delicious oranges and mandarins. These are shade trees that grow, side by side, with coffee bushes.
The list of other wild flowers, fruit trees and natural plants present where coffee grows is very long but explains the unique hints of flower fragrances, taste and aroma in Panama Boquete Coffee.

So, ready to enjoy a cup of delicious Panama Boquete Gourmet Specialty Coffee?

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy."
He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

Come visit the author's website: http://www.ourgourmetcoffee.com
Also visit: http://www.squidoo.com/coffee-lensography-TheGourmetCoffeeGuy

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Timothy_S._Collins

Did you find this article helpful?