Hacienda La Esmeralda Washed Laurina El Velo lot, Panama

Laurina is grown as part of Esmeralda’s “exotic varietals” program, alongside varieties like Pacamara and SL-34. These are cultivated in small, controlled plots at El Velo at an high elevation of 1,900 meters.

Esmeralda is not scaling Laurina. They are studying it.

Taste description: In the aroma you’ll find soft, white florals.

Citrus-driven notes of tangerines and pomelo. Silky mouthfeel, extreme level of complexity with an almost tea-like  body and finish of high sweetness and lingering acidity.

• Variety: Laurina
• Country: Panama
• Region: Boquete, Panama
• Process: Washed
• Altitude: 1900 MSL
• Producer: Hacienda La Esmeralda
• Farm: El Velo lot

What is Laurina?

Laurina (also known as Bourbon Pointu) is fundamentally different from most Arabica:

• Naturally low caffeine (often around half of typical Arabica levels)
• Known for delicate sweetness, citrus brightness, and silky texture
• Structurally lighter, more transparent, less aggressive

It is also notoriously difficult:

• Very low yield
• Highly susceptible to pests and disease
• Requires precise farming to express quality

At the Best of Panama 2025, Hacienda La Esmeralda didn’t just win both of the Gesha categories.
They also took 1st place in the Varietals category with the Laurina.

That result reframes Laurina entirely:

• Not a curiosity
• Not an experiment
• But a competition-level expression

The auction prices of $8000/kg for the green coffee reflects that shift as well, with Laurina lots reaching extremely high levels for non-Gesha coffees.