Roast Level: Medium
Flavor Notes: Cinnamon, Nougat, Clementine
Farm: Finca Hortigal
Varietals: Typica & Caturra
Processing Method: Washed
On the misty green slopes of Volcán Barú, the Hortigal and Jaramillo Estates are run by Nadeía Guerra Suarez, who has continued her family’s coffee-growing legacy since taking over in 2017. With help from Medardo, a 30-year coffee veteran, and four indigenous families who live and work on the estates year-round, Nadeía cultivates coffee in the unique terroir of Panama’s "Valley of the Moon." The estates benefit from the bajareque, a rare mist that drifts down the volcanic slopes, shaping the microclimate. During harvest, cherries are picked daily and processed at the family’s wet mill, using methods that minimize water usage to preserve local resources. Our medium roast highlights notes of cinnamon, nougat, and clementine, reflecting the richness of the land.
Sisters Coffee was introduced to Hortigal Estate through InterAmerican Coffee in 2016. In 2019, we tasted the estate’s coffee and were struck by its crisp, clean flavor. That same year, Nadeía connected with us via Instagram, and Jesse and I later visited her in Boquete in March 2020. Unfortunately, our trip was cut short due to the pandemic, but the brief visit sparked a deeper connection with Nadeía and her story—a young entrepreneur on a path much like Sisters Coffee’s beginnings in 1989.
Nadeía’s coffee roots run deep, with her great-grandfather establishing the family’s first farm in the late 1800s. Over time, her grandfather Vidal expanded the family’s land and began exporting coffee in 1989, eventually acquiring Hortigal Estate. In 2017, Nadeía returned to Boquete, taking over daily farm management. She has since modernized the farms, invested in new infrastructure, and leaned on the expertise of her uncle Norberto and Medardo. Under her leadership, the estates have thrived, producing exceptional coffee, including sought-after Geisha varieties.
Since 2020, our relationship with Nadeía has seen challenges, including disrupted harvests and damaged shipments. However, we’ve remained in touch, and in 2021, we were thrilled to offer her coffee again. In early 2023, William and I returned to Boquete for another visit, walking the estates, observing the harvest, and learning more about Nadeía’s sustainable farming practices. We were also reminded of the estates’ role in preserving bird habitats, a project connected to a Smithsonian Institute study on biodiversity.
Our time together was reminiscent of our first trip—full of good coffee, meaningful conversations, and a shared vision for the future. We’re excited to bring the Hortigal Estate coffee back to our cafes and wholesale partners, along with a Natural Geisha as part of our 2023 exclusive offerings.
