Legend has it that coffee was brought to Panama in 1742 from the French Antilles that is, from the little known Martinique Island. However, it wasn’t until 1780 when the first coffee plantation in Panamanian territory was ever recorded.
Later on, in the mid-1850’s, coffee was brought to the Province of Chiriquí and planted here in mid-altitude areas.
As told by The Coffee Forum aimed at the Barista industry: “At that time Panama was under the control of Colombia. Upon seeing the success of both Colombian and Costa Rican coffee exports, several Panamanian families embarked in the plantation of coffee in high-attitude mountains with a temperate climate. This is how groups of settlers arrived at Boquete and established the first coffee plantations, some of which are still running today.”
Ever since, coffee has become a part of the history of economic growth and exports in Panama, tantalizing the taste buds of thousands of people worldwide.