Hacienda La Esmeralda has achieved an unprecedented feat at Best of Panama 2025, the world's leading coffee competition that determines the best batch of Panamanian coffee of the year.
For the first time in history, Esmeralda Farm has monopolized all three categories, and has also achieved two astonishing scores, the highest ever, of 98.00 points in Geisha Washed category and 97.00 points in the Geisha Natural category.
The Peterson family who runs the Esmeralda FarmA record-breaking score
This year's 29th Best of Panama competition was judged by a panel of 22 international judges from around the world. The 98.00 points awarded to Esmeralda Farm, winner of Geisha /Washed category, is the highest score in the history of the Best of Panama competition, far surpassing the previous record.
"It's unprecedented for us to win three first place awards at the same time in the Best of Panama, and we can't believe it," said Rachel Peterson of the farm. The Peterson family has been a leader in the specialty coffee industry in Panama for many years.
"It's unprecedented for us to win three first place awards at the same time in the Best of Panama, and we can't believe it," said Rachel Peterson of the farm. The Peterson family has been a leader in the specialty coffee industry in Panama for many years.
Esmeralda Farm created a worldwide sensation in 2004 when it entered Geisha at the Best of Panama for the first time.
More than 20 years later, in 2025, the legend was created once again.
Results for each category
Geisha Washed Category
1st place: Hacienda La Esmeralda - 98.00 points
2nd place: Finca Sofia - 96.25 points
3rd Place: Nugo Cafe (Gallardo Family) - 95.27 points
Geisha /Natural Category
1st place: Hacienda La Esmeralda - 97.00 points
2nd place: Finca Los Cenisos - 96.25 points
3rd place: Finca Sofia - 96.25 points
Varietal Category
1st place: Hacienda La Esmeralda (Lourina, El Bello section) - 92.88 points
2nd Place: Black Moon Farm (Hunter Tedman) - 92.63 points
3rd Place: Cantera Farm (Garrido Family) - 92.25 points
2nd place: Finca Sofia - 96.25 points
3rd Place: Nugo Cafe (Gallardo Family) - 95.27 points
Geisha /Natural Category
1st place: Hacienda La Esmeralda - 97.00 points
2nd place: Finca Los Cenisos - 96.25 points
3rd place: Finca Sofia - 96.25 points
Varietal Category
1st place: Hacienda La Esmeralda (Lourina, El Bello section) - 92.88 points
2nd Place: Black Moon Farm (Hunter Tedman) - 92.63 points
3rd Place: Cantera Farm (Garrido Family) - 92.25 points
Auction prices attract attention
Chief judge Will Young (Australia) said, "Panama has established its position as the world's best coffee producing country," and Richard Coyner, president of SCAP (Specialty Coffee Association of Panama), could not hide his excitement, saying, "It was an incredible competition," and revealed that some judges had given the winning coffee a perfect score of 100 points.
The auction of the winning lots is scheduled for August 6th, and attention is focused around the world on what price these record-breaking lots will fetch. The highest winning bid price in the 2024 auction was $10,013/kg, so the focus will be on how the market will evaluate this year's extraordinary score of 98 points.
The auction of the winning lots is scheduled for August 6th, and attention is focused around the world on what price these record-breaking lots will fetch. The highest winning bid price in the 2024 auction was $10,013/kg, so the focus will be on how the market will evaluate this year's extraordinary score of 98 points.
This record-breaking result sets a new quality standard for the entire specialty coffee industry, with the unprecedented score of 98 points setting a new benchmark in coffee quality assessment.
The first World of Coffee event is scheduled to be held in Panama in 2026, and it is certain that Panama will continue to strengthen its position as a producer of the world's best coffee.
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