Finca Auromar Catalina Natural Gesha Panama

Panama. Natural process. Clear and floral.

 

“This is one of those coffees that feels calm from the first sip. Orange blossom and jasmine set the tone, then raspberry and peach candy show up with a white grape clarity that keeps everything in check. It finishes clean, like Earl Grey, with a soft honey sweetness that stays longer than expected.” - Oskar Garberg

Producer: Roberto Brenes / Auromar Family
Farm:
Auromar – Finca La Aurora
Location:
Piedra Candela, Volcán, Chiriquí, Panama
Variety:
Gesha
Process:
Natural
Altitude:
1,770 masl

Taste description
Floral notes of orange blossom and jasmine. Raspberry and peach candy up front with white grape clarity. A clean finish of Earl Grey tea and lingering honey sweetness.

The farm and producer

Set within a highland tropical forest regarded as a natural reserve in Candela, Chiriquí, Finca Auromar is led by triathlete and coffee producer Roberto Brenes. The farm is known as the origin of the 1st Place Geisha Washed Firestone lot at Best of Panama 2022.

This marked the third time a Geisha from the Brenes family claimed the top position, following earlier wins in 2013 and 2016 with the Ironman Geisha Washed lots. Since 2013, Finca Auromar has consistently placed among the leading coffees at Best of Panama, including 9th place in Geisha Washed in 2024, and 12th place Geisha Washed and 15th place Geisha Natural in 2023.

Roberto’s long-term vision mirrors his background as an Ironman athlete. Patience, precision, and steady progress. The focus remains on thoughtful post-harvest work, careful experimentation, and contributing to Panama’s reputation for coffees defined by clarity and structure.

The estate

Auromar is a Brenes–Eleta family project built around quality, sustainability, and long-term stewardship. Finca La Aurora spans 30.5 hectares, with 14.5 hectares under coffee and 16 hectares preserved as untouched forest.

Native shade trees and high-altitude Hass avocado trees create a stable microclimate with small temperature swings. Low humidity from December to January, followed by a dry and sunny summer until mid-April, supports slow cherry development and late harvesting. The result is limited volumes with high complexity each season.

The farm employs workers from the Ngobe-Bugle indigenous community, paying above-average wages and supporting education, literacy programs, and after-school activities. Auromar operates as a child labor–free enterprise.

The coffee and the process

Panama Gesha is known for its floral expression, citrus clarity, and refined structure. Since its first Best of Panama win in 2004, it has become a reference variety on competition stages worldwide and continues to command the highest prices.

While washed processing is often seen as the purest expression of Gesha, experienced producers like Roberto Brenes use natural, honey, and other intentional processes to guide flavor in new directions. Through careful control and long drying, this natural Gesha keeps its floral core intact while adding fruit depth and a clean, tea-like finish.

More background can be found at the Auromar project site.