What is Volcan Valley Coffee? Why did Ninety Plus create Volcan Valley?

Volcan Valley Coffee is a new venture launched by Joseph Brodsky, founder of Ninety Plus, in 2024. Located in Panama’s Barú volcanic region, Volcan Valley aims to enhance transparency within Ninety Plus’s specialty coffee supply chain.

Volcan Valley manages the entire process from production to supply, with an innovative operation model that ensures transparency for each coffee lot under the Volcan Valley brand. Every coffee bean from Barú, reaching the end consumer, has a clearly traceable journey down to the smallest lot number and specific farm location they manage.

Through the new Volcan Valley initiative, Ninety Plus hopes their customers can connect more directly and meaningfully with the values that Barú’s farmers work hard to protect. This step could also inspire a coffee-loving community to appreciate the origins and sustainable practices behind each cup, connecting quality experiences with a journey through the rich natural and cultural heritage of the region.

Volcan Valley takes care of the entire process of coffee production and supply. In particular, the operating model will be improved, ensuring transparency for each coffee lot

Set in the untamed landscape of Barú’s volcanic terrain, Volcan Valley coffee farms stretch over 10,000 hectares. As a coffee enthusiast, you will embark on a journey through each lot, filled with pure, sharp flavors and stories from the land and people who cultivate it.

Located in the volcanic region of Barú, this area not only enjoys a mild climate and cool temperatures but is enriched with fertile volcanic soil, abundant in phosphorus and sulfur from ancient volcanic ash. This mineral-rich soil creates optimal conditions for coffee plants to thrive, absorbing natural nutrients to yield sweetness, bright acidity, and a rich aroma.

The Volcan Valley’s diverse ecosystem is shaped by its unique geography. With altitudes reaching over 1,500 meters above sea level and a mosaic of climates, terrain, and flora, each coffee lot possesses its distinct character, from refined flavors to deep complexity. These factors, combined with Ninety Plus’s professional management, make Volcan Valley a promising specialty coffee origin, offering enthusiasts a distinctive experience of Panama’s wild nature.

With altitudes reaching over 1,500 meters above sea level and a mosaic of climates, terrain, and flora, each coffee lot possesses its distinct character

Occupying 10,000 hectares in Barú, Panama, Volcan Valley Coffee is managed by Ninety Plus to create a specialty coffee region with transparent traceability. To elevate the quality of each coffee bean, Volcan Valley focuses on renowned varieties like Gesha, Caturra, Catuai, SL28, and Pacamara from the Barú Project and local producers.

Volcan Valley employs scientific and sustainable farming methods, emphasizing soil and environmental protection. With ideal altitude and nutrient-rich volcanic soil, coffee at Volcan Valley is carefully grown, taking advantage of the terrain for optimal plant growth. This sustainable approach not only safeguards the environment but also enables the coffee plants to absorb essential nutrients, resulting in high-quality beans.

Volcan Valley employs scientific and sustainable farming methods, emphasizing soil and environmental protection

The processing stage at Volcan Valley is rigorously researched and controlled. Some notable Ninety Plus methods include:

• Washed Processing: In the washed processing method, freshly harvested coffee cherries undergo washing and fermentation to remove the mucilage surrounding the beans. By soaking the beans in water, natural enzymes activate, removing impurities and preserving the coffee’s pure and fresh taste. At Volcan Valley, this process is tightly monitored for temperature and fermentation time, ensuring the highest quality coffee.
• Criolic™: This is a washed processing technique carried out at low temperatures to slow down the breakdown of sugars and complex proteins in the coffee cherry. The beans are stored in a low-oxygen environment at temperatures between 4-10°C to enhance the natural flavors. After processing, the coffee is dried on elevated beds in the Red Room. Criolic™ coffee is known for its rich flavors, with potential notes of berries, tropical fruit, and florals, catering to specialty coffee lovers.

Folio™: Folio™ is not a standalone processing method but rather a technique added to other methods to increase depth and complexity in coffee. It utilizes different parts of the coffee plant, from leaves and flowers to cherries, to intensify the flavor. Folio™ has gained recognition through award-winning products.

At Volcan Valley, this process is tightly monitored for temperature and fermentation time, ensuring the highest quality coffee

With each sip of Volcan Valley coffee, you’re not just enjoying an exceptional cup—you’re immersing yourself in a journey through pure nature and profound culture. Grown on picturesque estates where coffee trees flourish by gurgling streams, under the shade of thousand-year-old trees, and near traces of indigenous culture, every coffee bean represents millions of years of harmony between land and people.

Volcan Valley doesn’t just produce coffee—they live with coffee, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and the wonders of nature. You’ll taste the essence of the earth, the richness in each coffee bean, where nature and human effort come together in a remarkable story.

Should you experience coffee from Volcan Valley? The answer is a resounding “Yes”—if you want to immerse yourself in the true world of coffee, lose yourself in nature’s endless beauty, and share in the deep passion of those who pour their hearts into each sip. Let Volcan Valley lead you to paradise, where every cup is a magnificent wonder, an unforgettable experience.

Volcan Valley doesn’t just produce coffee—they live with coffee, surrounded by mountains, waterfalls, and the wonders of nature

Conclusion

Volcan Valley is not just a coffee estate—it’s Ninety Plus’s heartfelt vision of offering a new perspective on coffee, connecting nature’s essence with human creativity. Born from Ninety Plus’s unwavering ambition, Volcan Valley embodies a commitment to sustainability, respect for indigenous culture, and unparalleled quality. Here, every coffee bean carries not just flavor but a story of a precious journey from nature to your cup.

If you’re looking to enjoy coffee from Volcan Valley, check out the Specialty Coffee shelf at XLIII Coffee!

Image provided by XLIII Coffee’s partner

1. What is Volcan Valley Coffee, and what makes it unique?

Volcan Valley Coffee is a premium coffee estate created by Ninety Plus in Barú, Panama. It stands out for its focus on producing high-quality coffee, employing advanced processing methods, and its diverse natural ecosystem, which yields unique flavors from each growing region.

2. Why did Ninety Plus decide to establish Volcan Valley?

Ninety Plus established Volcan Valley with the mission of creating a coffee paradise where they could freely innovate, develop specialty varieties like Gesha, SL28, and Pacamara, and experiment with unique processing methods. Through this, Ninety Plus not only offers quality coffee but also conveys the story of nature and local culture.

3. How does Volcan Valley coffee differ from other types of coffee?

Volcan Valley coffee boasts rich and complex flavors, thanks to unique processes like Criolic™ and Folio™. These methods not only preserve the coffee’s natural sweetness and aroma but also highlight layers of fruit, floral, and spice notes, making each cup vibrant and memorable.

4. Does XLIII Coffee offer Volcan Valley coffee in Vietnam?

Yes, XLIII Coffee is one of the providers in Vietnam bringing Volcan Valley’s coffee lots. Customers can enjoy these premium coffees and experience the distinct flavors from each carefully cultivated Volcan Valley bean.

5. How can customers fully enjoy Volcan Valley coffee flavors in Vietnam?

Customers can visit XLIII Coffee for professionally brewed Volcan Valley coffee, from espresso to pour-over, revealing each unique flavor layer. Here, XLIII baristas also share insights into the unique production process of each lot, offering a deeper understanding of the specialty coffee world.