In this episode of The Cupping Table, David Paparelli sits down with José ”Pocho” Gallardo, the visionary engineer behind the world-renowned Finca Nuguo in Panama. Pocho shares his unique perspective on what it takes to master high-altitude Geisha, detailing how his background in engineering informs his approach to coffee. They discuss the ”magic” of the Panamanian coffee community, where mentorship and the sharing of knowledge across generations have created a global standard for excellence. Pocho also opens up about the challenges of sustainable farming, the debate between plant stress and ”happy” trees, and why he believes specialty coffee must be a full sensorial experience that offers more than just a beverage, but a connection to the land and the culture.