When Jeremiah went to Panama three months ago he had the sudden economic down turn on his mind. He went to secure deals that would help diversify our company and secure a place for us in the industry. Unfortunately the economy hasn’t gotten any better thus delaying certain projects. The trip wasn’t completely doom and gloom however, what Jeremiah brought back was something altogether different…
Bambito, Panama August 2008
Finca Los Cantares is located in Panama on the side of a volcano in the middle of a rainforest. Although the farm is very temperate, The weather changes constantly. One second a light breeze cools you from the warm sun, then it begins to rain, thunder and lightning subside and the light breeze returns. Weather isn’t the only unique thing about this incredible farm. To get there you have to drive down a dirt road until you reach a river. Once you exit the comfort of your vehicle you need to cross a long rickety bridge. This is the only way to access the farm. Every sac of beans, any machinery and every employee must cross this bridge. Since it’s only wide enough for a single person going one way, everything needs to be carried across.
After you cross the bridge you get back in a car and continue up the driveway into the farm. Along the way you will see workers harvesting vegetables. On this particular day, carrots were being dug up from the ground. It also needs to be mentioned the land here is extremely fertile which makes it easier to grow a multitude of different crops. The region is know as the bread basket of Panama and a lot of food is grown here. The culture on the farm is one of family. Instead of a strict set of rules, there are only three. First, keep your area clean, not only for yourself but for the safety and well being of others. Second, respect your coworkers like you respect your own family. Last, be cordial and amicable to your coworkers, at all times. There is even a school on the farm that educates all the children who live or who have parents working on the farm. The farmers aren’t paid by the amount of beans they collect, but by the quality of bean that is harvested.
Amadis Jimenez owns Finca Los Cantares, and along with his employees hosted Jeremiah on their farm and treated him like family. Jeremiah even had a bull fight held in his honor. Now the bull fights are a bit different here. The bull is not harmed and ends when the bull gets sleepy. Amadis even had one of the best bull fighters from Mexico in attendance. On top of all this Jeremiah ate like a king. Finca Los Cantares truly made Jeremiah feel at home and now considers this one of his favorite places. As the trip was winding down, one more treat awaited Jeremiah…
Los Cantares grows Geisha beans. They are very rare and fetch up to 30 dollars a pound. Here it was growing like wild flowers. What makes these beans so unique is their elongated shape and strong citrus flavor similar to grapefruit.
Years of traveling have afforded Jeremiah the experience very few people get, to not only travel but to see these places “behind the scenes”, to experience these places through the food and culture of its people. And the Jimenez family went above and beyond. Special thanks to them.
