Over the past ten years, Dark Woods Coffee has built a deep and meaningful relationship with Pedro and Katarina Moss of La Huella, a pioneering project under Café de Panamá in the highlands of Boquete. What began as a shared passion for exceptional coffee has evolved into a long-standing partnership rooted in trust, innovation, and mutual respect.
La Huella operates from Finca Kristina, a beautiful high-altitude farm nestled in one of Panama’s most celebrated coffee-growing regions. Alongside the farm, their Alpha 1 micro-mill and roastery in El Francés allows for meticulous control over processing, enabling the production of remarkably distinctive coffees. This combination of terroir, expertise, and experimentation has made La Huella a standout producer and a natural partner for Dark Woods.
For Dark Woods, La Huella is far more than a supplier. As a key direct trade partner, they have consistently sourced multiple micro and nano lots from each annual harvest, showcasing the diversity and potential of Boquete’s highland coffees. These are not just coffees purchased for quality, but coffees selected for character, traceability, and the story behind them.
Over the years, this collaboration has also driven innovation in coffee processing. Coffees such as their natural anaerobic lots highlight the Moss's willingness to explore new techniques, pushing flavour boundaries while maintaining clarity and balance. These experimental approaches have helped produce many award-winning coffees, earning recognition via multiple Great Taste Awards, an achievement that reflects both producer skill and the ongoing strength of the partnership.
This relationship extends beyond the cup. Dark Woods and La Huella have also worked together on impactful social initiatives. In collaboration with the local charity Culturama and the British Embassy in Panama, they supported the delivery of a Farmers Voice Radio programme during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative provided vital health and safety information to indigenous communities in and around Boquete, via content created and delivered by those who understand these communities best. It’s a powerful example of how coffee partnerships can create meaningful change beyond the supply chain.
Regular visits to Panama have helped cement this connection. By spending time on the ground, walking the farms, observing processing, and strengthening personal relationships. Dark Woods has ensured that their partnership with La Huella remains collaborative and transparent. It’s a relationship built not just on transactions, but on shared values and long-term commitment.
After a decade, the partnership between Dark Woods Coffee and La Huella stands as a model of what direct trade can achieve. It celebrates exceptional coffee, supports innovation at origin, and demonstrates how strong, ethical relationships can benefit everyone involved, from producer to roaster to the communities that surround them.
To celebrate this special occasion, we are offering 10% off* La Huella (Natural) 250g and 1kg bags for the next ten days. Purchase here
* Discount automatically added at checkout.
