VISITING DAMARLI ESTATE AND LEARNING ABOUT COFFEE IN PANAMA
Boquete area is famous for its coffee plantations. The climate and the volcanic soil are perfect for growing coffee.
The Damarli coffee estate can be reached only with a 4x4 vehicle, as it is hidden on the slopes of Boquete mountains, in Panama.
Before getting here, I did not know much about coffee, about the way it was grown, processed or how the coffee grains actually looked like.
During the visit I learnt that all the coffee beans are hand picked. The ripe coffee cherries are carefully hand processed and evaluated by the owners David Pech and Keith Pech to create exquisite and outstanding coffees which are being sold all over the world.
Here are some of the photos I took while walking on the plantation.
The guided tour of the plantation was fascinating. We had the pleasure to have David Pech, the owner, as our guide and he went into detail about every single step involved in the process.
This was an unique tour and included tasting and hands-on experience.
Unfortunately some of the photos from this trip got lost.
Here we were walking towards the area where the coffee grains were dried on huge tables covered by rainproof sheets, enabling ventilation. Throughout the day, the workers would partially or fully remove the covers, according to the weather.
This was the only part of the plantation where I saw a cement path. It was done by the owner to allow him access to the top of the mountain, where he was building the visitor's centre.
Davis Pech followed his vision toward a sustainable production and built a completely solar powered coffee laboratory, kitchen, private suites and sunrise veranda.
My son was fascinated by this banana tree and its purple flower. He was surprised to see bananas grow with their tip up and not down.
While we were exploring the area, we met some of the indigenous children of the workers who lived there, on the plantation.
They were very cute and shy.
After a few minutes they got closer to us and my son enjoyed playing with them.
Exposing my son to how they lived, showing him the real face of poverty helped him have a better understanding of the word "gratitude".
Here is a view over the plantation from the top of the mountain, where the visitor's centre and the suits are located. Who would not love to wake up to this each morning? I know, I would!
Can you imagine yourself there on the veranda, sipping your coffee and watching the mist rising? If you'd like to know more about this estate, please check their website here
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Unless stated otherwise, all photos used in this posts are taken and owned by myself. If you wish to use any of my images, please contact me!
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!
Ah, organic coffee! Thank you for sharing this mama. Such high pixel pictures you took, it's beautiful to take the trip with you even from afar. Your son is blessed to have seen this up close.
Mmm I can smell coffee :)
We loved the experience of visiting the estate. We had been on tea plantations before, but not coffee. This was a first.
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Thank you!
It's really nice to have an opportunity to visit a coffee plantation, the pictures are fascinating and I'm sorry that some of the pictures have been lost. Otherwise, we can still enjoy this one .And that banana tree captured my attention, although I knew bananas grew backwards than I thought, I never saw this flower on the top. A wonderful trip thank you.
While being in Panama, I learnt a few things about coffee and the local fruits. The banana tree flower was something!
I am in the same boat as your son in regards to the banana growing upwards. I feel the same as I did when I found out a Pineapple plant only grew one a year. I have always wanted to go to a coffee plantation, as it is such an integral part of my day, haha. Great post!
I planted pineapple hoping that it would grow in a at least half an year. It took about 14 months to have a fruit. ;0)
Was it good?
The pineapple or the coffee? The coffee was amazing! If I count in the views, it was fabulous! As for the pineapple, I did not get a chance to try the one I had planted because I had to move before it ripped. My neighbour told me it was yummy. ;0)
I meant the pineapple! As a coffee lover I am jealous of your trip, but as a pineapple lover, I've never been more jealous of anyone but your neighbour I wish I had a garden (and the time frame) to grow one of my own.
The trip was fun and gave amazing insights and what kind of coffee is this ...
Good point. I guess I noted to write about that. Hahah... Damarli Estate offers a varietal collection (Pacamara, Typica, Geisha and Bourbon) and a traditional one which is a mix of catuai, caturra,bourbon and typic.
Looks like a lovely place lymepoet. I came across your article just as I was taking my first sip of my iced coffee which is my pre-article writing ritual. A most fitting and lovely article to have stumbled upon :-) The pics are just awesome and make me want to be there, I'm pretty sure the coffee would be better than what I'm drinking right now
Sorry for the late reply. I am glad to hear this post went well with your routine. Damarli coffee is fantastic! There are many other coffee estates in the area, with good coffee, but I liked this the most.
It's my first time seeing coffee as its origin from the cherries, is that what you call them? I enjoyed walking through the nice plantation with you @lymepoet. Sounds like your kids and you had a great time! :)
Yes, cherries. My son had lots of fun picking them. He was tempted to eat them because they looked so appealing... Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, what a cool opportunity!!
I love coffee and going and seeing where it grows and how it is harvested would be so neat! I bet your son loved it!
Sorry for the late reply! Yes, my son had a blast during that day. Actually, we both did. I loved walking on the estate and the coffee was amazing.
No worries, life is crazy. ♥
I bet you did! :D
"Damarli" ...sounds exotique. Does it has any meaning?
It comes from the names of the owners( David, Manfred, Ruth, and Lia) - his parents ans wife.
oww... ok, thought it was something 'cultural' :D
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