Panama's reputation for producing some of the world's best coffees has been solidified through consistently high auction prices and exceptional scores, particularly with Gesha varieties. At the 2024 Best of Panama competition, four coffees scored 95 points or higher, underscoring the quality of the region's beans. However, the event was marred by controversy surrounding the use of fruit infusions or co-fermentation in some entries, which led to their disqualification. The Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP) issued a decisive statement against these methods, labeling them as deceptive and akin to cheating. The statement, penned by SCAP President J. Hunter Tedman, argued that such practices alter the coffee's natural DNA expression and could mislead buyers. Tedman called for the creation of a separate category for altered or infused coffees to preserve the integrity of genuine Specialty Coffee. This bold stance marks the first time a governing body has taken a definitive position on these novel processing methods, sparking a broader debate within the coffee industry about what constitutes authentic specialty coffee.
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