“The world’s most expensive coffee, a truly unique experience if you are a coffee lover.” Fernando, our Panama City tour guide, went on and on as we approached a local Casco Viejo coffee house known for serving the world-famous Geisha coffee. The oppressive heat and humidity had taken their toll on me, so a sit-down at the air-conditioned cafe sounded inviting, especially since I love coffee, with Cuban and Colombian blood running through my veins. The place was crowded, but we managed to get a table when a couple got up. Jackpot! We also invited Fernando to join us for coffee. “It is worth the wait. It takes them a while to prepare our Geisha coffees,” Fernando continued. He explained that they hold auctions when they sell the famous coffee. “Last year, a lot of Geisha coffee from the Hacienda La Esmeralda sold for $30,204 per kilogram.” I began calculating what a cup of this precious coffee would cost me, eying the doorway for a quick exit. We ordered our coffees and waited 20 minutes. Only $10. I can do that, I thought, and relaxed. “You don’t put sugar in it,” Fernando warned, saying it was considered a sacrilege. I was already reaching for the sugar packets and stopped in mid-air. I took my first sip of this world-famous coffee and immediately thought it was very weak. Like washing your socks and serving a cup of the wash water. That is what I think when I am served weak coffee. I am used to the robust Cuban espresso served with a ton of sugar. They can keep their Geisha coffee, give me a coladita, please!
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