Estela Pitti

Estela Pitti is the proprietor of Finca Los Cenizos, a coffee estate situated in the Cerra Punta region of Panama, beyond the town of Volcán. The farm is notable for its extreme altitude, reaching 1,900 meters above sea level. This high-elevation environment, combined with the region's naturally cool climate, creates ideal conditions for the slow maturation of coffee cherries, which is essential for developing the nuanced flavor profiles associated with high-quality Gesha coffee.

As a producer, Pitti is recognized for her hands-on leadership and commitment to quality, often working alongside her children to manage the farm's operations. Her approach to coffee production emphasizes a deep connection to the local terroir, focusing on nurturing the land to translate the unique characteristics of the Cerra Punta region into the final cup. Her leadership at Los Cenizos has also been highlighted for its focus on women in leadership roles within the Panamanian coffee sector.

The farm specializes in the Gesha variety, a cultivar prized globally for its delicate, tea-like, and floral characteristics. Because of the farm's high altitude, the coffee trees experience cooler temperatures, which facilitate slower, more controlled fermentation processes. This environmental advantage is a critical factor in the clean, structured, and fruit-forward profiles that have drawn the attention of international specialty roasters.

Processing at Finca Los Cenizos is characterized by rigorous attention to detail. Cherries are hand-picked at peak ripeness and subjected to a flotation process to remove defects. Following de-pulping, the coffee is dried on raised beds. Recent production methods have included precise moisture management, such as finishing the drying process in humidity-controlled darkrooms to ensure the beans reach an optimal moisture content of 11% before export.

In recent years, the coffee produced by Estela Pitti has gained significant traction in the specialty market. Roasters have noted the exceptional clarity and complexity of her honey-processed Gesha lots, which frequently exhibit notes of jasmine, neroli, nectarine, and lemon. This consistent quality has established her as a rising star among Panama's specialty coffee producers, with her lots being sought after by roasters who prioritize direct relationships and high-elevation, terroir-driven coffees.

The story of Estela Pitti represents the evolving landscape of Panamanian coffee, where small-to-medium estate owners are increasingly focusing on micro-lot production and specialized processing techniques to distinguish their output. By maintaining strict control over every stage of the harvest and post-harvest process, Pitti has successfully positioned Finca Los Cenizos as a benchmark for quality in one of the world's most competitive coffee-growing regions.