Owned by third generation coffee producer Ricardo Koyner, there are seven farms under the Kotowa umbrella throughout the Boquete region. With seven varieties planted between the farms, Ricardo has managed to win the Best of Panama on various occasions in both the Geisha and Traditional Variety categories. A trained agronomist, Ricardo's reputation for excellence and performance in the Best of Panama led to his recognition as Coffee Producer of the Year by the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama.
For this natural process lot, only fully ripe cherries are selectively handpicked. After harvest, the fruit is carefully sorted to remove imperfections, rinsed to eliminate debris, and skimmed to separate any floaters. The whole cherries are then laid out on raised beds, where they dry slowly for roughly two weeks until reaching about 11% moisture. Once dried, the coffee rests for approximately three weeks before being hulled. It then undergoes both mechanical and manual sorting to ensure uniformity, and is finally vacuum-sealed to maintain freshness all the way to export.
Rio Cristal Geisha opens with berry, perfumey, and cider-like aromatics. The cup is vibrant and playful, offering notes of watermelon candy, cotton candy grapes, and orange liqueur, with a subtle hint of cardamom and refined bergamot tea. A berry-like acidity lifts the profile, while a silky body carries the sweet, aromatic finish.
