How to Distinguish Geisha Village | Auction, Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, Chaka Batch Geisha?

The Discovery of Gesha Village

In 2011, Adam embarked on an "adventure" with his consultant Willem Boot in the forests surrounding the estate. In a jungle magically enveloped by dense forest, they discovered multiple wild tree species, with the most exciting find being wild Gesha. Later they learned that this was the Gori Gesha forest—the very place where the Gesha coffee variety was first discovered.

They collected seeds from the original Gesha trees and, after careful screening, sent them to specialized institutions for genetic testing, confirming this as the original collection site of the Panama Gesha variety. Subsequently, by studying the coffee tree morphology, bean appearance and size, and combining cupping results, they selected the Gesha variety closest to today's Panama Gesha and began seedling cultivation. Since then, the story of Gesha Village Estate began on this land in Ethiopia.

Gesha Village Estate Overview

Gesha Village is situated in a high-altitude region with abundant rainfall, featuring a temperate climate and all the key natural factors needed to produce premium coffee. However, unlike many estates in Panama, Gesha Village has three Gesha varieties: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1931, and Illubabor Forest. Additionally, to ensure the quality of coffee produced by Gesha Village Estate, the owner Adam established a strict grading system, classifying Gesha into different grades: Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, CHAKA, and Auction.

Through the estate's plot division, we can see that the western part of Gesha Village Estate has higher planting altitudes, especially the OMA, SURMA, and SHEWA-JIBABU plots, with altitudes between 1,900-2,069 meters, where SHEWA-JIBABU has the highest average altitude. The southern part of the estate has relatively higher shade coverage, while the northern side receives longer sunlight exposure. Among the estate's eight plots, Adam selects the most suitable variety for each plot based on microclimate differences such as altitude, soil conditions, and shade cover, aiming to ensure each plot can develop distinct coffee flavor characteristics.

Gesha Village Auction Lots

Gesha Village auction lot Gesha accounts for only 3.7% of the total annual production, with comprehensive traceability information for green beans. It features prominent flavors and high complexity, making it the top-tier batch selected through rigorous screening. Buyers can only obtain it through Gesha Village Coffee Estate's global auction.

Gold Label Gesha

Gesha Village Gold Label Gesha (RARITIES) is a batch frequently purchased by competition contestants worldwide and quality-conscious roasters. It accounts for about 10% of the estate's annual production and comes with detailed traceability information. FrontStreet Coffee, in purchasing the Gold Label batch of Gesha, can taste complex and rich flavors. During cupping, one can feel the charm of this Gesha batch—whether it's the unique dry aroma or the sipping flavors, mouthfeel, and aftertaste, all leave a lasting impression.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Estate Gold Label Gesha

Region: Ethiopia, Bench Maji Zone

Estate: Gesha Village Estate, Oma Plot

Altitude: 1,900-2,040 meters

Variety: Gesha 1931

Processing: Natural Processing

Flavor: Citrus, Berries, Cream, Caramel, Honeydew, Honey

Red Label Gesha

Unlike the Gold Label grade, Gesha Village Red Label (GROWERS RESERVE) accounts for 15% of the total annual production and is selected from the Gori Gesha variety. It is premium Gesha coffee that achieves cupping scores above 88 points according to SCA standards. Although the flavor intensity and complexity don't match the Gold Label and Auction batches, the Red Label still has a very classic Gesha Village flavor profile. FrontStreet Coffee believes this is a Gesha batch with excellent value for money, worth acquiring for Gesha enthusiasts.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Estate Red Label Gesha

Region: Ethiopia, Bench Maji Zone

Estate: Gesha Village Estate, Shewa-Jibabu Plot

Altitude: 1,973-2,069 meters

Variety: Gori Gesha

Processing: Natural Processing

Flavor: Lemon, Plum, Citrus, Tropical Fruits, Flower Tea

Green Label Gesha

Gesha Village Green Label batches (SINGLE-TERROIR) refer to single-plot, single-variety batches. Each batch in the Green Label collection provides complete traceability information, including farm plot names, coffee varieties, and processing dates. Compared to Red Label and Gold Label batches, Green Label has no cupping score requirements, making it an entry-level single-plot Gesha batch.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Estate Green Label Gesha

Region: Ethiopia, Bench Maji Zone

Estate: Gesha Village Estate, Bangi Plot

Altitude: 1,901-2,001 meters

Variety: Gori Gesha

Processing: Natural Processing

CHAKA Blend

Unlike other batches within the estate, CHAKA blends all plots and all annual production seasons of Gesha coffee beans, including the three varieties cultivated at Gesha Village: Gesha 1931, Gori Gesha, and Illubabor. This coffee is offered in both washed and natural processing methods. FrontStreet Coffee acquired the naturally processed batch.

First, impurities and unripe fruits are removed through flotation, then spread thinly on African raised beds covered with plastic sheets for natural drying. During the drying process, regular turning is required, and hand-sorting is performed to remove unevenly colored beans. Total drying time is 18-30 days. To preserve more fruit acidity, FrontStreet Coffee chooses medium-light roasting. Through cupping, FrontStreet Coffee experiences quality flavor notes of citrus, berries, cream, oolong tea, and cane sugar from this CHAKA Gesha.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Estate CHAKA

Region: Ethiopia, Bench Maji Zone

Estate: Gesha Village Estate

Altitude: 1,900-2,100 meters

Variety: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1931, Illubabor

Processing: Natural Processing

Brewing Recommendations

As everyone knows, Gesha coffee is world-famous for its rich floral aromas and complex fruit flavor profiles. FrontStreet Coffee hopes to preserve more of Gesha's quality acidity, therefore choosing medium-light roasting (with slight adjustments for different batches). This roast level doesn't significantly change the high hardness of beans grown at high altitudes, so brewing requires increasing the extraction rate to present fuller flavor layers. This involves using higher water temperature and finer grind size to extract more aromatic compounds.

Below, FrontStreet Coffee demonstrates the brewing steps for Gesha Village Red Label as served in our store. Everyone can reference and compare with their own brewing approach.

Hand Brew Recommendations for Gesha Village Red Label Coffee:

Dripper: V60

Water Temperature: 91-92°C

Dose: 15g

Ratio: 1:15

Grind Size: Fine sugar size (80% passing through #20 sieve)

Three-Stage Extraction:

First, pour 15g of coffee grounds into the dripper and tare the scale. For the first stage, pour 30g of water for a 30-second bloom, starting the timer simultaneously. Use a small water flow, starting from the center point and spiraling outward, ensuring the entire coffee bed is moistened.

For the second stage, use a slightly larger water flow to pour 120g of water, aiming to raise the entire coffee bed. The water column needs to be poured vertically and evenly. At this point, the scale should show 150g, with pouring completed around 55 seconds.

When the water level drops to about halfway, begin the third stage by pouring the remaining 90g using small circular motions. Try to control the water flow to avoid too large circles, which could scatter the coffee bed and cause under-extraction. The final water amount should be 240g total, with completion time around 2 minutes and 10 seconds. After removing the dripper, shake the coffee in the sharing pot evenly before tasting.

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