Buy the Drip - Coffee and Business

Easily one of the most exciting young coffee producers at the moment, José Luis is putting top quality coffee into the marketplace, from Chiriqui, Panama.In this conversation, you can hear how José Luis was inspired by his grandfather to start to plant and produce Geisha Coffee and in just a few short years, ended up landing amongst the top rankings of the Best of Panama.Focused today on learning coffee in all it's forms, José is trialing different roasting machines, brewers, grinders and all sorts of instruments in which he can use to better understand his coffees.Working with his partner Valentina, they operate a beautiful business that spans through different farms, with the primary being in El Salto, Boquete. Two new high elevation projects will be online soon.This is a must listen conversation to hear the perspective of a young, entrepreneurial coffee producer who is pushing the limits of quality and coffee potential in Panama.A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in coffee business, coffee production and establishing a foundational business that will outlive any of us individuals.Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeThis conversation was recorded on May 28th, 2026 in Boquete, PanamaIf you'd like to watch a feature film on Chevas - Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Jose Luis Chevas and Panamanian producers you see in this video seriesFORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; https://www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Jose Luis Chevas: https://www.instagram.com/chevas27Follow Chevas: https://www.instagram.com/chevas_coffee_ltdStay updated with the latest: https://www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: https://www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: https://www.instagram.com/torodeo

In this episode, we sit down with Ricardo Koyner, the 1st president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama upon it's inauguration in 1996 and now the current president in 2026, the year that marks the 30th Anniversary.
Ricardo operates Kotowa, a brand in Panama that extends over many celebrated coffee farms in the region of Chiriqui, such as Las Brujas, Duncan, Don K, Silvia Marina, Rio Crystal and more, as well as a coffee shop brand that runs coast to coast within the Republic of Panama.
This conversation takes us through the past, the outcome and the future of specialty coffee in Panama, sharing stories of trial and tribulation as the road for the coffee industry in this region has never been easy.
At Kotowa Farms, there's a significant amount of research being done in different genetic varieties amongst many different altitude ranges and terroirs. Beyond coffee, they have developments in many other agricultural products, such as cacao, camelia synesis (tea), assortments of fruits, woods and others.
A fascinating conversation for anyone interested in coffee business, coffee production and establishing a foundational business that will outlive any of us individuals.
Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffee
This conversation was recorded on March 4th, 2026 in Boquete, Panama
If you'd like to watch a feature film on Kotowa Farms - https://youtu.be/77g2_RRLoLg?si=buLw0IYY8gUG3v5r
If you'd like to listen to Victoria Koyner, Ricardo's daughter and right hand in the business - https://youtu.be/9SO4xNXCyZY?si=o3wg2hd9iSWhv-Zc
Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Ricardo and Panamanian producers you see in this video series.
FORWARD COFFEE, since 2019
Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee.
Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffee
ROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007
Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; https://www.rossocoffeeroasters.com
Follow on INSTAGRAM
Follow Ricardo Koyner: https://www.instagram.com/koynerricardo
Follow Kotowa Farms: https://www.instagram.com/kotowafarms
Stay updated with the latest: https://www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffee
Follow Forward Coffee: https://www.instagram.com/fwdcoffee
Follow Dave: https://www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffee
Follow Cole: https://www.instagram.com/torodeo

In this episode, we sit down with Wilford Lamastus Jr, the fourth generation of Lamastus Family Estates, a 3 x Panamanian Brewers Cup Champion and founder of Sisu Coffee StudiosThis conversation takes us through the in's and out's of a legacy family business that dates back more than 100 years and is focused on quality and raising the bar for specialty coffee and Geisha coffeeWhat does it mean to be the fourth generation, and be amongst the energy as his son, the fifth generation of this family legacy grows up under his visionA fascinating conversation for anyone interested in coffee business, coffee production and establishing a foundational business that will outlive any of us individuals.If you ever come to visit Panama, a trip to Lamastus Family Estates is a must - they have a tourism department and will happily take you around the farm and to experience Panama GeishaForward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeThis conversation was recorded on February 24th, 2026 in Panama City, PanamaIf you'd like to watch a feature film on Lamastus Family Estates - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GANe9UzVUYCole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Wilford and Panamanian producers you see in this video seriesFORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Wilford Lamastus Jr: www.instagram.com/wilfordlFollow Lamastus Family: www.instagram.com/lamastusfamilyestatesStay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo

Celebrated globally as a visionary in specialty coffee production, Hunter Tedman is designing coffee farms in a way that is breaking the historical norms in our industry - an architect of advanced agricultural systems to grow incredible coffees.Hunter was born and raised in Boquete, Panama, and grew up in a multi-generational coffee family, with his father playing a role in the foundations of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama as well as the early days of the story of Geisha. Hunter has seen the rise, the fall and the rise again of Panama Geisha and now, other VarietalsToday, Hunter is focused on producing the best Geisha in the World at his farms Black Moon and newly acquired Umbra, as well as Hacienda Barbara, a group of farms that he operates and manages. Not only is he investing in Geisha, however, Hunter has a garden of coffee varietals that he cherished, studies and examines, one of which, Chiroso, has become the most celebrated and awarded Varietal in Panama in recent years at the Best of PanamaThis conversation unlocks a whole new perspective to coffee production, laying out the blueprint for designing a coffee farm, whether you're in Panama or anywhere in the World. If you're working in agriculture, as a roaster, or a barista, I promise you you'll learn something new from the mind of Hunter Tedman.Listen for his definition of "terroir" as it's one of the most fascinating we've come across in these dialogues.This conversation was recorded on March 12th, 2026 in Boquete, PanamaCole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Hunter and Panamanian producers you see in this video seriesIf you enjoy the conversation with Hunter, I highly suggest you listen to this conversation with his neighbour at Black Moon, Price Peterson regarding the story of Geisha - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_BiWlrMrKk&tFORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Hunter Tedman: www.instagram.com/huntertedmancoffeeFollow Black Moon Farm: www.instagram.com/blackmoonfarmpanamaFollow Umbra Farm: www.instagram.com/umbrafarmpanamaFollow Hacienda Barbara: www.instagram.com/haciendabarbaracoffeeStay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo

"Specialty Coffee is a coffee produced on one farm, by one obsessive compulsive coffee farmer" Price Peterson is celebrated as one of the most influential figures in the Special Coffee Industry - having re-discovered Geisha on his family farm, Hacienda La EsmeraldaFor more than half a century, the Peterson family has shaped the country's coffee industry through Hacienda La Esmeralda - earning international recognition, changing how the world values coffee and helping establish Panama as one of the most sought-after coffee originsHear about the early days of the SCAA and SCAP, a few of the many boards / committees which Price participated as a key member in the early days in their founding years.In this conversation you can expect to hear:- The early days of Hacienda La Esmeralda and how the has farm evolved- The re-discovery and rise of Geisha- What people misunderstand about producing world-class coffee- How the Peterson family approaches quality, experimentation, and the future.- Price's perspective on where Panama coffee is headed over the next decade.Whether you're a producer, roaster, competitor, or simply fascinated by the people behind the coffees we all admire, this episode offers a rare look inside one of specialty coffee's most influential figuresPS, Happy 90th Birthday to Price, who celebrated in Boquete on July 5th, 2026This conversation was recorded on March 10th, 2026 at Hacienda La EsmeraldaListen as Cole and Price sit down for an intimate conversation in his office and discuss the long road of Panama Geisha.Cole lives in Panama full time and curates a selection of top Panama Geisha and Varietals, from the Peterson Family and Panamanian producers you see in these videos.. If you enjoy the conversation with Price, I highly suggest you listen to this conversation with his youngest son Daniel - https://youtu.be/mnBGjmXNCw8FORWARD COFFEE, since 2019Forward is a green coffee sourcing and exporting company based in Chiriqui, Panama, working with 20+ producers. Cole is one of 22 International Judges for the Best of Panama and is ready to source your next favourite coffee. Forward is a Panamanian registered business and exporter living and working in Panama 12 months per year: https://www.forward.coffeeROSSO COFFEE ROASTERS, since 2007Anyone can be a specialty coffee drinker, and that means you. Dave and the team at Rosso roasted for the last two World Barista Champions and would love to roast a coffee for you too – try world-class coffee; www.rossocoffeeroasters.comFollow on INSTAGRAMFollow Hacienda La Esmeralda: www.instagram.com/haciendalaesmeralda Stay updated with the latest: www.instagram.com/buythedrip.coffeeFollow Forward Coffee: www.instagram.com/fwdcoffeeFollow Dave: www.instagram.com/crosbyandcoffeeFollow Cole: www.instagram.com/torodeo