Boquete, near Panama's Volcán Barú, became one of the most famous coffee regions on earth after Hacienda La Esmeralda's Gesha variety won the Best of Panama competition in 2004 at a then-record auction price. The region's combination of altitude, volcanic soil, and cool temperatures from Barú's peak create ideal conditions for the world's most celebrated — and expensive — coffee variety.
Boquete is ground zero for Gesha mania. If you've ever spent $50 on a bag of single-origin coffee, chances are it was a Panamanian Gesha from this region. The floral intensity is genuinely unlike any other coffee.