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What Does Blue Label Geisha Taste Like and How to Brew Panama Geisha Blue Label Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional barista exchange - please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style) Geisha is pronounced the same as the Japanese word "Geisha," hence it is also known as Geisha coffee; because the tree variety is taller than ordinary coffee trees, it was originally planted in a small area within the estate and used as a windbreak. The owner's son, in order to participate in the annual Panama Best Coffee competition, searched everywhere

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Introduction to Geisha Coffee

Geisha is pronounced the same as the Japanese word "geisha," hence it is also known as Geisha coffee. Because the coffee tree varieties are generally taller than regular coffee trees, they were originally planted in a small area within the estate and used as windbreaks. The estate owner's son, in order to participate in the annual Panama Best Coffee competition, searched through all coffee tree varieties in the estate for testing, which gave Geisha the opportunity to make its debut. Since then, it has also participated in various world coffee competitions, winning a total of eleven championships.

Flavor Characteristics

Geisha possesses full, sweet flavors with an extremely clean taste. Its rich aroma extends from berries and citrus notes to mango, papaya, and peach flavors. A very distinct bergamot-like aftertaste is also one of its typical cupping attributes. To date, Geisha has remained the champion among coffee varieties.

Panama: The Premier Coffee Region

Panama is the most important region on the world coffee map. The annual auction beans here regularly fetch prices of over a hundred dollars.

Award Records

The following are the award records of Hacienda La Esmeralda:

1st Place - Specialty Coffee Association of America Roasters Guild Cupping Pavilion
2nd Place - Coffee of the Year, Specialty Coffee Association of America
1st Place - "Best of Panama"
1st Place - Rainforest Alliance for Quality

Panama Geisha (Hacienda La Esmeralda)

Origin: Panama

Region: Located on the slopes of Baru Volcano, the highest peak in western Panama

Estate: Hacienda La Esmeralda

Grade: Blue Label

Growing Altitude: 1450m

Processing Method: Fine washed processing

Special Certification: Rainforest Alliance Certified

Roast Level: Light roast (city-)

What is the Panama Auction?

In 1996, during the lowest period of international coffee prices, seven coffee estates in the Boquete and Volcan regions saw the dawn of the specialty coffee era. They organized and formed the famous Panamanian Association of Special Coffees of Panama (SCAP). In 2013, the highest bid for washed Geisha in the BOP exceeded $160 per pound, while the highest bid for natural Geisha was won by a natural Geisha from Hacienda La Esmeralda at over $350 per pound.

Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Brands

Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha has three brands, classified by altitude:

Auction Geisha (ESMERALDA SPECIAL) - Red Label: Selected from altitudes above 1550 meters
Boquete Geisha - Green Label: Selected Geisha from 1500 meters
ESMERALDA 1,500 - Blue Label: Selected Geisha varieties from around 1500 meters altitude

Manufacturer: Coffee Workshop
Address: No. 10 Bao'an Front Street, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, FrontStreet Coffee
Contact: 020-38364473
Shelf Life: 90 days
Net Weight: 100g
Packaging: Bulk
Origin: Panama

Brewing Recommendations

Hand-pour Blue Label: 15g of coffee grounds, medium-fine grind (Fuji Royal 3.5 grind setting), V60 dripper, water temperature 91-93°C. First pour 30g of water for a 27-second bloom, then pour to 105g and pause. Wait until the water level drops to half before continuing to pour. Slowly pour until reaching 225g total. Discard the tail end. Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, extraction time 2:00.

Detailed Product Information

Country: Panama
Grade: Blue Label
Region: Slopes of Baru Volcano
Roast Level: Light roast
Processing Method: Washed
Variety: Geisha
Estate: Hacienda La Esmeralda
Flavor Notes: Oolong tea aroma, peach aroma, honey aroma

Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Coffee Beans

The Geisha variety was discovered in the Geisha forest of Ethiopia in 1931 and then sent to the Coffee Research Institute in Kenya. In 1936, it was introduced to Uganda and Tanzania, and in 1953, it was introduced to Costa Rica. For a long time, not many people paid attention to Geisha until one day when Don Pachi first brought it from the small town of GESHA in southwestern Ethiopia to Costa Rica. Afterward, Geisha traveled along the southern route into Panama, where Hacienda La Esmeralda separated it from other varieties and it went on to win the national coffee competition championship.

Flavor Description

Oolong tea aroma, peach aroma, and honey aroma create a refreshing and comfortable experience that is bright yet balanced. The layered aroma is extremely rich, with the entire fragrance wrapped in caramel sweetness. Upon entry, the tongue detects distinct fruit acidity, which becomes gentle and mellow in the mouth. The fruit sweetness and aftertaste are strong, like drinking a cup of fresh fruit tea that refreshes the heart and soul. The lower the temperature, the more delicate the acidity. The flavor is remarkably long-lasting, leaving one feeling deeply satisfied!