At the beautiful Carmen Estate in Panama, located in the stunning volcanic region of Volcan, one of the most highly regarded coffee varieties in the world has been grown for over 70 years. It all started in 1950 when Carmen Franceschi suggested to her husband, Efrain, that they start a coffee plantation. They named the estate after Carmen, as her vision led to the beginning of a long family tradition of coffee cultivation. The Franceschi family has cared for the estate across generations, and today it is managed by the third generation, led by Carlos Aguilera Franceschi.

The story of Carmen Estate is not only about top-quality coffee but also about cascara, a unique beverage made from the husks of coffee cherries, which are often discarded during the traditional coffee processing. However, at Carmen Estate, these husks are carefully collected and processed in a special way to preserve all their natural flavors and qualities. Cascara is an aromatic and refreshing drink, full of fruity and floral notes with a slight citrusy touch and a sweet aftertaste.

For Stow Coffee, collaborating with Carmen Estate has become something extraordinary – for the seventh year in a row, we have been sourcing their cascara, which has become a core part of our offering.

WHAT IS CASCARA
Cascara is an aromatic drink made from the husks of coffee cherries, which are typically discarded during the conventional coffee processing. However, at Carmen Estate, these husks are carefully collected and processed in a special way to retain all their natural flavors and properties. The dried husks are then prepared into a refreshing beverage, full of fruity and floral notes with subtle citrus tones and a slight sweet aftertaste. Cascara from Carmen Estate has quickly been recognized as something truly unique, with rich flavors and a very distinct character.