Panama Coffee Beans: Noble Yet Affordable - How Much Do Panama Geisha Coffee Beans Cost?

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Panama Geisha Coffee Beans: Once Named by Forbes as One of the "World's Top Ten Most Expensive Coffees"

The pronunciation of "Geisha" is the same as the Japanese word "geisha," which led to this nickname. The rise of Geisha coffee beans is undoubtedly the most famous legend in the specialty coffee world since the millennium.

Geisha coffee beans, also known as "Guihai coffee" or "Guihai beans," are actually the same type of coffee bean. The name comes from Geisha Mountain in Ethiopia, pronounced just like the famous Japanese geisha, hence the name.

The Extraordinary Legend of Panama Geisha Coffee Beans

Panama Geisha coffee beans have an extraordinary legend... It turns out that this coffee bean originated from southwestern Ethiopia. In 1963, Don Pachi Serracin introduced the Geisha coffee variety from Costa Rica to Panama. Due to low yields directly affecting harvest quantities, coffee farmers had little interest in cultivating it. It wasn't until Daniel Peterson, owner of Panama La Esmeralda estate, accidentally discovered that the coffee beans produced by these Geisha coffee trees—originally used as windbreaks—at the highest point of his coffee estate had the distinctive citrus and floral aromas characteristic of African beans. After separating these coffee beans and entering them in the 2004 Panama Cupping Competition, they became an overnight sensation. Since then, Geisha beans have been unstoppable, winning consecutive championships in the Panama Cupping Competition for many years. In the eyes of specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide today, Geisha coffee beans are undoubtedly the supreme treasure.

From 2004 to the present, we can still say... Panama Geisha coffee beans are unparalleled in the world, and Panama La Esmeralda Geisha stands out as the cream of the crop.

The legend continues~ In 2017, Panama La Esmeralda Geisha won the natural process championship again—marking what should be their 18th championship trophy. Being able to stand out among many strong competitors year after year is not only due to the delicious genetic makeup of Geisha beans. Excellent coffee estate management as well as harvesting and processing are absolutely essential. It's particularly worth mentioning that the La Esmeralda estate owner places great importance on environmental protection. Therefore, the coffee produced can participate in the Rainforest Alliance Cupping Competition and has brought back 5 championship trophies.

Awards and Recognition

⇒ Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Cupping Champion (2007, 2006, 2005)

⇒ Best of Panama Champion (2017, 2015, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004)

⇒ Rainforest Alliance Coffee Quality Cupping Competition Champion (2013, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2004)

Auctions and Premium Coffee

The method of obtaining high prices for valuable items through auctions also applies to selling high-quality coffee beans. Panama La Esmeralda Geisha is particularly special. To ensure that the good coffee beans they carefully cultivate and manage receive reasonable compensation, La Esmeralda estate holds its own global auction after the annual coffee cupping competition, which has become an annual event in the specialty coffee world.

At this time of year mid-year, coffee green bean merchants worldwide interested in the year's high-quality Geisha beans will refer to the competition beans' scores before bidding and try to secure their ideal coffee lots according to their budget. During the auction opening, everyone is nervous and bold in their bidding. Fearing missing out on delicious coffee beans, they would have to painfully wait another year.

The Devil is in the Details: Don't Spend Money Blindly on "Panama La Esmeralda Geisha Beans"

Detailed Explanation of "La Esmeralda Red Label," "La Esmeralda Green Label," and "La Esmeralda Blue Label"

After years of experimentation, La Esmeralda estate discovered that only Geisha beans harvested from coffee trees growing at altitudes above 1,400 meters can display the special flavors that Geisha beans should have. Therefore, the main grading is based on planting altitude, supplemented by actual cupping results, dividing Geisha beans into "Red, Green, Blue Label" grades.

Premium Grade - Red Label 【Auction Lots】

⇒ Growing altitude: 1,600-1,800 meters

⇒ Cupping score: 90 points or above

⇒ Mainly produced from Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes estates, also the highest quality Geisha beans

⇒ Geisha beans harvested from the highest points of the Boquete mountain region, possessing special, bright floral and citrus aromas

⇒ Coffee of this grade will be processed into natural or washed green beans

⇒ Can only be purchased through the annual global auction

Second Best - Green Label 【Reserve Lots】

⇒ Growing altitude: 1,600-1,800 meters

⇒ Micro-lot blend from three different estates: Jaramillo, Quiel, Cañas Verdes

⇒ Although not the highest-grade auction beans, this grade of Geisha beans still carries the classic flavors of Geisha coffee beans—floral, fruit, citrus acidity, and thick, juicy mouthfeel

⇒ Selected perfectly ripe coffee fruits create rich sweetness, bright fruit acidity, and delicious flavors

⇒ This grade of Geisha beans also has both washed and natural process green beans available

Regular - Blue Label 【Selected Lots】

⇒ Growing altitude: 1,500 meters

⇒ Blend from three different estates: Jaramillo, Cañas Verdes, El Velo

⇒ Slight floral aroma, fruit acidity, sweetness, with less full mouthfeel

⇒ This grade of Geisha beans only has washed process green beans

Panama Geisha Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations:

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted Red Label Geisha coffee offers full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, it provides excellent value—at only 350 yuan per 100g package. Calculating at 15g of coffee beans per cup, one package can make 6 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 60 yuan. Compared to coffee shops selling cups for over a hundred yuan each, this is truly a conscientious recommendation.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473