A Day in Potrerillos Arriba / Abajo

On May 13, we went on a tour through Potrerillos, which is about 40 minutes southwest of Boquete. As part of events, celebrating the 160th Anniversary of the Chiriqui Province committee planned the tour and invited us.

I am adding a short trivia bit about Potrerillos’ name. Its name changed from Abejorral at the turn of the 20th century when a group of Costa Rican citizens came to live around the area of Dolega. The name changed to Potrerillos due to how Costa Ricans speak. They would always place an “illos” at the end of most words. Potrero translates into an enclosed pasture or field and so the Costa Ricans would use the word potrerillos in describing where they lived. Over time, residents in the area started using the word in their sentences saying for example; we “have a few potrerillos” or “we are going/coming from our potrerillos.” As time went by the residents began changing the name Abejorral to Potrerillos. Many years later with the authorities, consented to the name change and so entered the names Potrerillos Arriba and Potrerillos Abajo as well. Interesting but OK enough of the trivia.

Students from the Institute for the Professional Formation and Qualification for Human Development (INADEH) organized the tour as part of their curriculum in tourism. The objective of INADEH is implementing policies, strategies, and programs in vocational training, labor training, and business management training for both the public and the private sector. The training and skill classes are free to students participating paid for by the Panamanian government.

We were bussed around Potrerillos to four sites ending with a delicious luncheon buffet. The group mostly friends and acquaintances from Boquete attended as well as Panamanian residents and aquaintances from around the area.

One stop was to a small mill producing from sugar cane the brown sugarloaves we see in the markets named “Panela” and watched how panela is processed. Panela is an unrefined food product, typical of Central and South America, a solid piece of sucrose and fructose obtained from the boiling and evaporation of sugarcane juice. Panela also contains large amounts of proteins, calcium, iron, and ascorbic acid.

The panela making process begins at 5am each morning; the panela maker goes through this same process of making panela ten times a day. There are three stages to making panela first; the sugarcane’s liquid is pressed through a metal machine, its juice flows into a large container through a pipe that has a mesh opening into a large heated shallow container to simmer. The liquid then empties into another container in which it comes to a full boil flowing into another container where it finishes the cooking process. The last stage is mixing the liquid with a wooden paddle by hand until it thickens even more and becomes a golden caramel color and at this point, the worker fills wooden tray with over 75 molds. The disc shape panela is ready when it hardens – this process may take several or more hours. Then voila panela! Panela is a sweetener for Chicha Panama’s national drink. I do not crush the round hard cylinder when I use it but normally boil up some water pouring it over the disc and it dissolves. I use panela in lemonade or limeade. Continue reading below.

Then we met Saraj Golzer who owns Finca Montaña Basque Escondido in Potrerillos Abajo. Saraj came to Panama in 1974 from Persia and today is a real believer in organic farming and composting. He gave us a tour of the grounds, his composting method, and restaurant in the final stages, which he plans to open by the end of this year. We also sampled cherries from his property. Yummm!

Our tour ended at Sendero Gruta Charco Las Cuevas where some headed down a steep embankment to view the waterfall and cave. After seeing the brown water due to the Ruta Sur roadwork above the embankment all decided, they did not want to swim. Still we had a wonderful relaxing buffet luncheon consisting of salad, corn soup, chicken cordon bleu, and fish with rice and beans in a beautiful tranquil setting. It was dee-lish!
Now with the rainy season upon us in Panama, a day cannot end without a downpour of rain. Luckily, it did last long and we headed for our cars before it started raining again.
Just want to end by saying thank you to the students from INADEH as part of their studies in Guía de Turismo Regional. You did a wonderful job organizing the tour we truly enjoyed the day!

Growing Organic in Panama

After moving to Panama and settling down in Boquete, I began to wonder if anyone was growing organic produce. After reading an article about Panama’s high pesticide level used in agriculture, I began my search and came across an article in The Bararenque Times a community newspaper written by Sonia Jones ND. Assuming Sonia Jones would have some insight regarding my question I called her, my assumption was correct and she gave me the name of Chris Vavatsikos from Boquete Organic. Since ordering from Boquete Organic we have enjoyed eating organically even though we pay a little more it is well worth it. In my thirst for wanting to know more about the organic community in Boquete I have met a group of organic growers which led me to write this blog and share this information with my audience.

There are small finca owners, business owners, and people such as myself supporting the growing organic movement in Panama along with the movement of environmentalists. In Panama, there are 600 small organic farmers only 200 farmers across the country are organically certified. The movement is catching on and at the same time, it is causes huge debates. With Panama's natural beauty, this country has the ability to grow fruits and vegetables pesticide free. Panama is on the list for its use of high levels of pesticides endangering the people who have to work in a poisonous environment and at the same time poisoning the rest of us who consume the fruits and vegetables.

While living in Panama over the past seven or eight months I have met organic farmers who take great pride in educating the public about organic growing. One person is Eladio Tribaldos owner of Finca San Miguel de la Montana, distributor for Boquete Organic, Candice Chrestman originally from USA who along with her husband own Palmira Products. They grow a large variety of herbs and green leafy vegetables such as kale and mustard greens, and Rodrigo Marciacq the proprietor of Villa Marita who has an on-premise hydroponic farm. Rodrigo grows a variety of lettuce, tomatoes, broccoli, and more. In Potrerillos, which is, about 40 minutes southwest of Boquete is the proprietor of Montana Bosque Escondido, Saraj Golzar who grows all of his herbs and trees using his special organic compost.

I met all of these folks by going on outings such the "caminatas" hikes and through acquaintances. They all are very serious in their belief “living organically” each help the community to become more aware of eating and living a healthier lifestyle.

Eladio in April held a working seminar on his finca sponsored by La Asociacion de Productores Organicos de Chiriqui (Apochi). Around 25 people attended the earlier morning seminar to learn how to make organic compost. Each attendee received a certificate for participating. We order organic fruits and vegetables from Eladio as often as we can. If interested let me know and I can give you his cell number and weekly produce list.















Candice and her husband own and operate Palmira Product. Check out Candice’s Blog-site and you will find very interesting recipes. She uses ingredients grown on their finca and prepares delicious sauces such as Thai Sweet and Sour and Pineapple Chutney to name a few, http://palmiraproducts.blogspot.com. Log onto Candice’s blog and email her if you are interested in ordering some of the finest herbs, sauces, and much more.

We purchase our lettuce from Rodrigo who is 6 miles/9KM from where we live in Alto Boquete. It is a wonderful and very scenic drive to Rodrigo’s Villa Marita perched high atop El Sentuario featuring panoramic views of the valley of Boquete, gardens, delicious breakfast, guest gathering room, cabins and family cabins are available, some with kitchenettes. In the back area on his property, he grows hydroponic produce; of course, no pesticides are used.

Saraj Golzar moved 35 years ago from Persia to Panama. A group of us went on a guided tour to Potrerillos on May 13 as part of the 160 Anniversary of the Chiriqui Province sponsored by the Guía de Turismo Regional. One stop was to Saraj Golzar’s finca. He is currently building a restaurant; his menu will be healthy Mediterranean cuisine using organic products from his property Montana Bosque Escondido. Saraj gave us a tour showing how he prepares the organic compost.

Then there is La Organica in Boquete a small store at the end of town on a side street across from the Catholic Church. La Organica sells just about everything organic from soaps, suntan lotion, and flour to soymilk etc. It is great place to buy organic products and they have another store in Panama City.

Recently I read a very good article in La Prensa regarding organic growing in Panama. It is good to see the organic movement catching on in Panama.

This just came in more information regarding certified organic producers and the how the system works in Panama. Dr. Maria Ruiz an acquaintance and whose family since the late 1800's, with three generations of the Ruiz family have been dedicated to the traditional coffee varieties and natural-system growing methods characteristic of excellent coffee flavor and nature preservation. Cafe Ruiz in my opinion is the best coffee in Panama. Here is information Maria emailed me today with the names of Cafe Ruiz' organic coffee labels. Thank you Maria.

Jeraldine, it is great to hear from you this nice report. Let me add to it if I may.Casa Ruiz, S.A. - (CAFE RUIZ) was the first internationally certified organic integrated system in Panama some four years ago. As Boqueteños we are very proud of carrying this certification which is valid for the US market and the European Union (each major market has different rules). The integrated system means that we have to undergo third-party suppervision (by an international approved certifying body) from the farm to the point-of-sale (farm, wet mills, dry mills, roasting plants, and coffee shops). Each activity is evaluated for tracebility and compliance with stated international regulations. At this moment in time, we are carrying four organic coffees: La Berlina Organic, Jacobo Organic, Boquete Organics and Bio Kabe Sribire Gwaire. All these coffees are not only organic, but also of top quality. La Berlina Organic was among the top three in a Competition in Paris, France this year for washed coffees. Jacobo Organic is a Estate coffee from one of the oldest farms in Boquete. Boquete Organics is compound of international certified coffee farms in Boquete. The Bio Kabe Sribire Gwaire is one special case. This is an international certified small coffee farms group from the Comarca Ngäbe-Buklé with a strict quality control standards. They do a great job. As all of us know, these products speak of a job well done by many. The international recognition of Boquetenians' skill and expertees, made all of us very pleased. Greetings, Maria

Homage to Chatie

Chatie was my lovable, beautiful cat and a wonderful buddy, he was 12 years old.

I met Chatie 12 years ago in an animal shelter on the Chicago’s northside. When I met him, he was only 6 months old and sick. I had to  wait 2-3 weeks for them to release him  and well all I can say he was worth the wait as Chatie was an adorable cat from the beginning until today.

I feel a great lose for our sweet, courageous Chatie, who became a dear companion.

Chatie a friendly kitty connected with people immediately people contacted quickly to him as well. He sometimes acted more like a dog following me around, and lying at my feet. The only thing he could not do was bark. Again, I will miss Chatie dearly.

Thanks Chatie for giving me the pleasure of sharing our life together for the past 12 last twelve years and again you will be greatly missed. Meeowww!!