May 29, 2007 – Panama’s Hacienda La Esmeralda set a new world auction record today selling for a stratospheric $130 per pound in the 8th annual Best of Panama auction. When the dust had settled Roastmasters.com, along with a group of six other companies, had emerged as the auction winner.
Hacienda La Esmeralda is likely the most famous coffee in the world today. It has won first place in the Best of Panama competion in the last four consecutive years – 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. First place in the Specialty Coffee Association cupping competition for the last three years 2005, 2006, 2007. Winner of the Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality competition 2004, 2006, 2007. Record holder for highest price coffee at auction, now three times, with this current one being considerably higher than previous. This coffee had multiple bidders nearing the winning level.
La Esmeralda Especial scored 95.26 in the 2007 Best of Panama competition out of a possible 100 points. The coffee is grown entirely from Geisha varietal arabica, an heirloom species originating from Ethiopia that has found a nurturing home in Boquete, Panama.
A mere 500 pounds was auctioned and it is being divided among 7 companies. We believe we are the only company in the group to offer it for sale to home coffee roasters. We will have only 50 pounds and we intend to offer it in half pound bags.
We were also the successful bidder for Elida Coffee, the number three coffee in the auction and the top rated non-Geisha varietal. Expected arrival for both coffees is late June.
See complete auction results here.