Nadeia Guerra Suarez

After visiting Panama we couldn't pick just one coffee! In addition to the La Gloria from Norberto, we are excited to bring back coffee from the Hortigal Estate. Finca Hortigal has been family-owned since 1920 and today is completely owned and operated by women. Norberto used to oversee this farm for his sister Eira Maria Suarez, but in the past few years Eira’s daughter Nadeia has taken to coffee farming. And to say she’s a natural is an understatement.

Remember Rosie the Riveter? Well, this is the Rosie of coffee growing. Meet Nadeia, who inherited her farm from her Grandfather, who gave it to her Uncle who then passed it down to her mother, who then gave it to her. With the coffee gene going back generations, Nadeia took the land that was handed down generations and decided to up the level a bit.

Her dedication to the land and the coffee that it grows in evident in every cup. When we received a sample of her crop, it blew us all away. Nadeia is the perfect example of how women “can do it” and maybe do it even a little better….

Finca Hortigal sits between 1,400–1,600 meters above sea level, in the highlands of the Boquete region. They maintain strict farming and maintenance guidelines each season, in order to guarantee consistency and an optimized production. “The farm,” they add, “is a legacy we hold dear and aspire to build upon each day.”

At the mill, the cherries are washed and sun-dried on patios before being transferred to drying machines, to ensure consistency. The mill carefully follows the processing protocols instructed by Dona Eira Maria; after processing, the coffee is stored in the warehouse to rest until its “attributes and distinctive characteristics are developed,” say the Suarez women.