The fifth release in our 10-Year Series is a new coffee for Assembly, and an example of truly world-class flavour complexity. This naturally processed Geisha is from the renowned Carmen Estate, who were previous Best of Panama winners.
This lot was also selected by Jake Mummery as part of his bespoke blend for the Irish Brewers Cup, where it was combined with our first 10-Year release, Finca Deborah Echo Geisha, to create his winning routine.
A fitting expression of this coffee’s calibre, and its place within our 10-Year Series.
Process
This lot is produced using Carmen Estate’s traditional, low-intervention natural method, referred to by the team as their ‘winey’ process. The term distinguishes this small-scale, quality-focused approach from the larger-volume natural processing more commonly associated with other origins.
Only fully ripe cherries are selectively harvested, before being laid to dry slowly under the sun. During drying, the cherry is carefully raked to maintain consistency across the lot, with any damaged or irregular fruit removed by hand.
With a variety as rare and expressive as Geisha, the processing is kept deliberately simple. This allows the inherent qualities of the variety, altitude and volcanic growing conditions to shine.
The result is a clean, structured cup with floral aromatics, berry sweetness and a juicy, mouth-watering texture.
Recommended brewing
Best
Pour Over (conical)
Origami — S Brewer & Base
Great
Pour Over (flat-bottom)
Kalita Wave Coffee Dripper
Very good
French Press
Weber Bird — French Press
Grind Settings
Kinu M47 Classic
Set dial to zero
Turn two and three-quarter turns
Grind slightly coarser for naturally-processed coffees
After bloom, pour to 150g. Pause until the waterline hits the coffee bed and then repeat three more times to 250g. Pour quickly, carefully and in a circular motion.
Tip: Pour slowly during the bloom to extract maximum flavour.
Featuring multi-step methods to help you make your coffee taste better, this guide is the helping hand that will help you to efficiently unlock the full flavour potential of your beans.
Founded in 1960 on the slopes of Volcán Barú, Carmen Estate has become one of Panama’s most celebrated coffee farms. Originally purchased by Carmen Franceschi and her husband Efrain, the estate has remained in the family ever since, now owned by their grandson, Carlos Aguilera Franceschi, and managed by Jean Paul Langenstein.
As interest in Panamanian specialty coffee accelerated in the early 2000s, Carlos invested heavily in quality-focused cultivation and infrastructure, helping position Carmen Estate among the country’s most respected producers. The farm has since featured consistently in the Best of Panama competition, including a winning lot of washed Geisha in 2023 and a top 5 placing in all categories for 2024.
Sat 1800 metres above sea level, in Boquete’s volcanic highlands, the estate benefits from warm, sunny days and cool evening temperatures that slow cherry maturation and build complexity in the cup. Native tree cover across the farm provides natural shade and supports healthy, biologically rich soils, allowing the team to produce exceptional coffees with a strong ecological focus.
Shipping & Returns
Complimentary UK shipping over £50
Royal Mail 2-4 Working Days Tracked £0.00 - £29.99 - £3.45
Royal Mail 2-4 Working Days Tracked £30 - £49.99 - £2.45
DPD 2 Working Days Tracked (Same Day Dispatch before 12pm) - £6
Europe & USA (under 2 kg) - £10
Rest of World - £20
If you're not satisfied please contact our customer service team (orders@assemblycoffee.co.uk), who can advise you on brewing methods, recipes and more.
Please allow extra time for international shipping.
