When you think of Panama, coffee is often the first thing that comes to mind; however, did you know that there is also a Boquete Tea Tour? Although humans have been consuming tea for over five thousand years, it had never been cultivated in Panama—until now. The Kotowa tea tour takes you to the only traditional tea plantation in the country. This region is filled with coffee farms, and Kotowa also offers a coffee tour at the same location.
Tea comes from Camellia sinensis, the plant from which traditional tea is derived. This plantation is situated on a mountainside within a cloud forest—a humid, misty environment with temperatures significantly cooler than in the rest of Panama. The high altitude and the area’s natural conditions are ideal for the growth of tea plants. As with coffee, factors such as soil, rainfall, altitude, temperature, sun exposure, and the production process all influence the final flavor of the tea. During the Boquete Tea Tour, you will walk through the plantation while your guide explains the anatomy of the plant, as well as how its leaves are cultivated and processed. You will even have the opportunity to pick some leaves yourself.
The tea tour in Boquete also demonstrates how different processing methods applied to the same plant species can yield entirely different varieties of tea. White tea is the least processed of all the types you will sample, allowing its delicate flavors to take center stage. Green tea is produced using a method that preserves its characteristic qualities. Oolong tea requires a more complex processing technique, resulting in a wide diversity of flavors and aromas. Among the varieties you will taste, black tea is the most processed; it undergoes an extended oxidation period, which results in a darker color and a more intense flavor. Simply placing the different varieties side by side is enough to appreciate the difference in their colors.
Boquete Tea Tour
Boquete in Panama is home to the only traditional tea plantation, featuring the Kotowa Tea Tour. Unlike the long tea history elsewhere, Panama has recently begun cultivating tea from the Camellia sinensis plant. This plantation is located in a cool, cloud forest environment, ideal for tea growth. The tour includes a walk through the plantation with a guide explaining the plant’s anatomy and cultivation process, as well as hands-on leaf picking. Visitors sample various tea types, including minimally processed white tea, green tea, complex oolong tea, and fully oxidized black tea, highlighting their distinct flavors and colors. Coffee tours are also available at this location.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the only traditional tea plantation in Panama!
- Tasting of the 4 classic teas: White Tea, Green Tea, Oolong, and Black Tea.
- Learn about the anatomy, cultivation, harvesting, and processing of the tea plant.
