Ricardo Koyner is the third generation to run the Kotowa plantation. Around 1900 no one lived in the mountainous region of Boquete. Ricardo's grandfather, a Canadian who married a Panamanian, settled there. Ricardo bases his business operations on an integral quality idea, in which the total quality is based on three pillars: the coffee, dealing with the environment and caring for people. The total plantation is 75 hectares and is located in the middle of natural afforestation with great biodiversity. This afforestation naturally reduces erosion and also resists strong mountain winds. The presence of these trees affects the soil and air in the area. This "natural fertilization" gives the coffee beans their sweet, fresh, sparkling taste. The part of the plantation where Boot's coffee comes from is the original "Carolina Farm" that started the Kotowa plantation. This is located at an altitude of 1300 - 1500 meters. The Kotowa Plantation won the National Environmental Award in Panama in 2012 and 2018; a nice recognition of the commitment to good, green, business management. Within Latin America, Panama is one of the relatively prosperous countries, comparable to Chile, Argentina and Mexico. It has the highest minimum wage in the region. An employee who has a normal 8-hour working day on the plantations earns between 120 and 140% of the minimum wage plus housing worth about 20% of the prevailing minimum wage. Ricardo Koyner and Boot Koffie share the vision of responsible coffee production. Producing a higher quality coffee, within limits, leads to a much higher one price for the coffee. This higher quality is only really good and can be achieved consistently by hand in hand with the quality of the coffeeto let go of the care for the soil, the environment and your staff. This coffee, the first from Panama, has been part of the Boot Coffee range for almost 30 years. Panamaria is named after Maria Ruiz, the plantation's then chef and co-creator of the unique flavor.