Which Geisha Coffee Tastes Best: Red Label, Green Label, or Blue Label? How Much Do Geisha Coffee Beans Cost?

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

The pronunciation of "Geisha" is similar to the Japanese "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 21st century.

Geisha coffee beans, also known as Guixia coffee or Geisha beans, are actually the same type of coffee bean. Its name comes from Geisha Mountain in Ethiopia, pronounced similarly to the famous Japanese Geisha, hence the name.

Geisha coffee beans have an extraordinary legend...

Originally, this coffee bean originated from southwestern Ethiopia. In 1963, Don Pachi Serracin introduced Geisha coffee tree varieties from Costa Rica to Panama. Due to low yield directly affecting harvest volume, coffee farmers had little interest in cultivating them, and they were mainly used as windbreak trees.

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 characteristic citrus and floral aromas of African beans. He separated these coffee beans and entered them in the 2004 Panama Coffee Cupping Competition, where they instantly became famous.

Since then, Geisha beans have been unstoppable, winning consecutive championships in the Panama Coffee 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... Panamanian Geisha beans are the finest in the world, and among them, Panama La Esmeralda's Geisha stands out as the best.

The Immortal Legend: Panama La Esmeralda Geisha

In 2017, Panama La Esmeralda Geisha won the natural process category championship again... This should be their 18th championship trophy. To stand out among many strong competitors year after year, besides the delicious genetic qualities of Geisha beans, excellent coffee estate management and harvesting/processing are absolutely essential. It's particularly worth mentioning that the La Esmeralda estate owner places great importance on environmental protection. Therefore, their produced coffee can participate in the Rainforest Alliance Cupping Competition and has brought back 5 championship trophies.

⇒ Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) Cupping Competition 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)

The method of obtaining high prices for valuable items through auction is equally applicable 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 holds its own global auction after the annual coffee cupping competition, which has become an annual event in the specialty coffee world.

Around mid-year each year, green coffee merchants worldwide interested in that year's high-quality Geisha beans will reference the competition scores before bidding and try to secure their ideal coffee batches according to their budget. During the bid opening, everyone is tense and bold in their pricing. Fearing missing out on delicious coffee beans, they would have to wait another painful year.

Understanding La Esmeralda's "Red Label," "Green Label," and "Blue Label"!

After years of experimentation, La Esmeralda 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 cultivation altitude, supplemented by actual cupping results, creating "Red," "Green," and "Blue Label" grades of Geisha beans.

Premium - Red Label [Auction Batches]

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

⇒ Cupping score: 90 points and 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 at this grade is processed into either natural or washed green beans

⇒ Can only be purchased through the annual global auction

Excellent - Green Label [Reserve Batches]

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

⇒ Micro-batch blends from three different estates: Jaramillo, Quiel, and Cañas Verdes

⇒ Although not the highest-grade auction beans, this grade of Geisha beans still carries the classic flavors of Geisha coffee beans—floral, fruity, 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 is also available in both washed and natural processed green beans

Regular - Blue Label [Select Batches]

⇒ Cultivation altitude: 1,500 meters

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

⇒ Slight floral notes, fruit acidity, sweetness, with less full body

⇒ This grade of Geisha beans is only available in washed processed green beans

Geisha Coffee Bean Brand Recommendations

FrontStreet Coffee's roasted Panama La Esmeralda Red Label Geisha coffee beans offer full guarantees in both brand and quality. More importantly, they provide excellent value—100g bags priced at only 350 yuan. Calculating at 15g per cup, one bag can make 6 cups of coffee, with each cup costing only about 60 yuan. Compared to cafes selling cups for over a hundred yuan, 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