Geisha coffee, also spelled as Gesha coffee, is a varietal of coffee that is known for having unique flavors that are typically floral and sweet. While Geisha coffee is now grown around the world, like coffee, it was first discovered in Ethiopia, in a region near the Gori Gesha forest.
Originating in Ethiopia, the Geisha coffee varietal was then sent to Tanzania, then to Costa Rica, then distributed throughout Central America in 1953. Nowadays, the most commonly known and renowned Geisha coffee comes from Panama. Geisha coffees are typically grown at high altitudes, and when properly cultivated, Geisha coffees are known for their delicate floral, jasmine, and peach-like aromas.
In summary, a Geisha coffee is simply a rarer, high quality coffee varietal.
Is Geisha the correct spelling for coffee? Or Gesha?
The short answer is that both are correct! To explain, the Geisha coffee varietal comes from Ethiopia, where English is not the primary language. However, in 1936, this coffee bean varietal was dubbed the "Geisha" coffee bean as a British Consulate letter described the "Geisha coffee area," where they found Geisha coffee beans to sample.
Later on, it was discovered that the name is a transliteration of the Amharic name of the region, ጌሻ. While both spellings can be used, some roasters refer to Geisha coffee beans from their original origin of Ethiopia as "Gesha," and Geisha coffee beans from other regions as "Geisha." There is also undeniably some discourse online due to the spelling of the word as "Geisha" due to its connection to Japanese geisha entertainers, but they are unrelated despite the similar spelling.
What makes Geisha coffee special?
The process to grow and harvest Geisha coffee is part of what makes it such a special varietal. Geisha coffees are already typically grown at higher altitudes, but each cherry will also go through meticulous quality checks to make sure only the best of the best gets processed. Geisha coffees always start with picking the ripest cherries, a process that is usually done by hand, as the riper the cherry, the sweeter the coffee.
After sorting, the coffee cherries can undergo any process your normal coffee beans can - washed process, dry fermentation process, anaerobic process, natural process, etc. Once the process is complete, you have your green Geisha beans ready to send to roasters around the world.
Another reason Geisha coffees are such a prized varietal would be the flavor profiles they boast. Oftentimes, it's possible to find flavor notes such as jasmine, chocolate, honey, and sometimes even tea. Geisha coffees have much more complexity and range within their flavors and aromas.
Why is Geisha expensive?
The annual Best of Panama Competition is known for auctioning off expensive coffees, and it's where the Geisha coffees first earned their reputation for being the world's most expensive coffee. In 2004, when Hacienda La Esmeralda entered the competition with their Geisha coffee lot, its distinct and unique taste garnered so much attention that it sold at $21 per pound. Our good friends at the Lamastus Family Estates currently hold the record for highest auction price, with their Elida Natural Geisha 1029 having sold for $1,029 per pound in 2019.
The pricing for a Geisha coffee takes into account the rarity of the coffee beans, as it can only grow and flourish in certain conditions, the amount of labor it requires, especially with the hand picking and sorting processes, and the complex flavors of the coffee. While this still may not justify the hefty price tag for many average coffee drinkers, those seeking the best of the best and seeking experiences rather than just a cup of coffee will find value in Geisha coffees, even with the high price.
What’s the best way to prepare Geisha coffee?
Just like any other coffee beans, there are more factors than just the varietal that will determine the best way to prepare a Geisha coffee. However, the one thing that’s universally agreed upon is that Geisha coffees should be prepared with the utmost care, and in smaller batches. We would not suggest brewing using a Chemex, as Chemexes are typically designed for larger brews and won’t pull as much detail from the coffee as other brewing devices may. We also do not suggest pulling a Geisha coffee as espresso, as the time it may take to dial the coffee in will have you wasting quite a bit already. Instead, we recommend using brewing devices such as a Hario V60 or an April Brewer.
Hario V60 ceramic drippers utilize a traditional style of Japanese ceramics with a 400 year history. This method is both beautiful and practical, allowing for deeper layering of coffee grounds as its spiral ridges and lack of flow restriction allow you to pour water quickly for a delicate body, or slowly for a heavier flavor. Our recommended Hario V60 recipe can be found here.
The April Brewer makes it easy to produce a pure, delicious cup of coffee. With its unique flat bottom design, coffees brewed with the April Brewer really pop in terms of acidity, flavor, sweetness, and body. All the finer details and nuances truly shine, and this brewer is what we typically brew our own Geisha coffees with at our seven cafe locations. Our recommended April Brewer recipe can be found here.
Klatch Coffee’s selection of Geisha coffees
Here at Klatch, we always try to ensure we have at least one Geisha coffee available at any given time, typically as part of our Pearl Reserve collection. This collection is home to Klatch’s very best, and we often feature unique processes, varietals, and harvests within the Pearl Reserve collection. Just last year, Klatch Coffee was able to offer an unprecedented amount of Geisha coffees within the collection, featuring twelve Geisha coffees from across Colombia, El Salvador, and of course, Panama.
With our long-standing relationship with the Lamastus Family, who were the pioneers behind the Elida Geisha, we’re always looking to bring in more unique and rare coffees to share.
