KAWA - Iris Estate [Illumination] - Panama - Carbonic Maceration - Geisha

Reaching 2,300 meters above sea level, Iris Estate is the highest farm in Panama and Latin America. This extraordinary farm was established in Volcán in 2017 by the Savage team to push the boundaries of coffee production and explore uncharted areas of processing. Iris Estate celebrates terroir, variety and process through the meticulous work of the producer. Unlocking the quality of coffee in all its aspects is a challenge that requires deep knowledge to cultivate and produce the perfect cup of coffee in this demanding terroir.

The carbonic maceration process has been used in the wine industry for decades. However, its application to coffee is only a few years old. In 2015, Jamison was one of the first in the world to begin working with the carbonic maceration process for coffee. Over the past three years, he has employed several different techniques using the process and has built a reputation as a leader in carbonic maceration for coffee.

Jamison’s coffees have won numerous titles in barista and Brewer’s Cup competitions, both nationally and internationally. In 2017, the Deborah Washed Carbonic Maceration Geisha placed second in the World Brewer’s Cup and fifth in the World Barista Championship, and most recently, it won second and fourth place at the 2019 WBC in Boston.

The process begins with the harvest of perfectly ripe Geisha cherries, reading 21-24 on the BRIX scale. The cherries are then carefully selected a second time before processing. After selection, the cherries are pulped, leaving a certain percentage of fruit on the grain. They are then placed in tanks for an extended period with constant monitoring and cataloging of pH, temperature and CO2 levels. Ambient temperatures are monitored and controlled to ensure process linearity.