La Santa is a family business that has been owned and operated by the Gallardo family since the 1960’s. Jose Manuel Gallardo is the current owner of the farm that was originally started by his father. Jose’s own son, Pocho, now manages the 225-hectare farm, while his daughter manages the administrative side of the business. When it comes to their coffee, La Santa ensures that all cherries that are picked for their production are 100% ripe. They hand separate any cherries that don’t meet their standards, to guarantee the highest quality and intensity of flavor. Once picked the cherries are washed and patio dried.

Panama’s coffee arrived with European immigrants in the 19th century, about 50 years after the country achieved its independence from Spain, but as an agricultural product it didn’t gain a real foothold until arguably the last 20 years. In contemporary Panama, coffee is primarily produced by smallholders from two main indigenous groups—the Bugle and Ngobe people—as well as mid- and large-scale estates owned privately, often by European or North American immigrants or their descendants.

Tasting Notes:
Butterscotch - Cocoa - Citrus Acidity - Floral

Producer: Jose Manuel Gallardo
Region: Santa Clara
Altitude: 1100 - 1400m
Varieties: Catuai, Caturra, Typica
Harvest: November - April
Process: Washed, Patio Dried