Kotowa (Las Brujas)

Café Kotowa is a multi-generational coffee enterprise based in the Boquete region of Panama, with roots tracing back to the early 20th century. The estate was established by Alexander Duncan MacIntyre, a Scottish-Canadian pioneer who settled in the highlands in the early 1900s. Today, the operation is led by Ricardo Koyner, the third-generation owner and a prominent figure in the global specialty coffee industry. Koyner serves as the president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP), an organization he helped co-found in 1996 to promote the quality and international recognition of Panamanian coffee.

The name 'Kotowa' is derived from the indigenous Ngöbe language, meaning 'mountains,' reflecting the estate's deep connection to the rugged, high-altitude terrain of the Barú Volcano. The enterprise is not a single farm but a collection of distinct estates, including Duncan, Don K, Rio Cristal, and Las Brujas. Each of these farms is managed to leverage specific microclimates, altitudes, and soil compositions, allowing the family to produce a diverse range of coffee profiles that consistently perform well in the prestigious Best of Panama competition.

Las Brujas is one of the specific farms within the Kotowa portfolio. It is particularly noted for its success with the Geisha variety, which benefits from the slightly drier climate found on the slopes of the Barú Volcano. The farm has gained recognition for its quality, with recent lots being selected for the Best of Panama auction, demonstrating the effectiveness of the family's focus on precise cultivation and processing techniques. The estate's commitment to quality extends to its own roasting and retail operations, as Kotowa maintains a chain of coffee shops across Panama.

Beyond production, the Kotowa estate is recognized for its social and environmental stewardship. The family has implemented comprehensive social programs for their workers, including on-site medical care and nurseries that provide meals and educational support for children. These initiatives have earned the estate repeated recognition from UNICEF, highlighting a business model that balances high-end specialty production with long-term community investment.

Technological and agricultural innovation remains a cornerstone of the Kotowa philosophy. The estate has a history of pioneering infrastructure in the region, including the early adoption of hydroelectric processing plants that utilize the abundant water resources of the volcano. This commitment to infrastructure allows for meticulous control over the entire post-harvest process, from wet milling to drying, ensuring that the unique characteristics of each farm—such as those from Las Brujas—are preserved in the final cup.

For the roaster and the consumer, the Kotowa (Las Brujas) tag represents a pedigree of consistency and historical significance. Because the Koyner family manages the entire supply chain—from the farm gate to the final roast—they maintain a level of traceability that is rare in the industry. Whether through their award-winning Geisha lots or their traditional varieties, the coffee produced at Las Brujas serves as a benchmark for the potential of the Boquete terroir.