The coffee farmer:
Ricardo Koyner is the third generation to run the Kotowa plantation. Around 1900, no one lived in the mountainous area of Boquete. Ricardo's grandfather, a Canadian who married a Panamanian, settled there. In doing so, he founded this successful company that produces the finest coffees. Ricardo bases his operations on an integral quality idea, where the overall quality is based on three pillars: the coffee, dealing with the environment and caring for people.

The plantation and the coffee:
The total plantation is 75 hectares and is located amid natural forestation with great biodiversity. This afforestation naturally reduces erosion and also resists the strong mountain winds. The presence of these trees affects the soil and air in the area. This "natural fertilization" gives the coffee beans their sweet fresh sparkling flavor. The part of the plantation where Boot's coffee comes from is the original "Carolina Farm" that started the Kotowa plantation. It is located at an altitude of 1300 - 1500 meters. In 2012 and 2018, the Kotowa plantation won the 'National Enviromental Award' in Panama; a nice recognition of its commitment to good, green, business practices.

Organization:
The plantation normally employs about 25 people per "farm. During Harvest Time, this rises to 100 people. In Panama, coffee farmers also provide housing for their staff. Ricardo is committed to providing quality sanitation and health facilities to ensure a decent living. Far above the minimum requirements. Running drinking water, a real toilet, electricity and opposition to indoor wood burning are the standard.

Futureproof Coffee Collective:
Within Latin America, Panama is among the relatively wealthy countries, comparable to Chile, Argentina and Mexico. It has the highest minimum wage in the region. A worker working a normal 8-hour day on the plantations earns between 120 and 140% of the minimum wage plus housing worth about 20% of the prevailing minimum wage. Ricardo Koyner and Boot Koffie share the vision of responsible coffee production. Producing higher quality coffee leads, within limits, to a much higher price for the coffee. This higher quality can only be achieved really well and consistently by making the quality of the coffee go hand in hand with caring for the soil, the environment and your staff.

The name 'Panamaria':
This coffee, the first to come from Panama, has been part of Boot Koffie's range for nearly 30 years. Panamaria is named after Maria Ruiz, the then chief of the plantation and co-founder of its unique flavor. Barend explains, "In 1993 we, (Barend and brother Willem), started importing coffees from Maria Ruiz. My father Jacob and mother Marianne, together with Maria and her brothers, tasted coffees from different micro plantation areas in Panama at the time and thus compiled the flavor profile of the first Panamaria coffee. The Panamaria coffee immediately became a runner in the range."