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Natural Geisha Comparison: What's the Difference Between Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda's Natural Blue Label and Green Label?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Natural Geisha Comparison: What's the difference between the Red Label and Green Label from Janson Farm and Hacienda La Esmeralda? 【Geographical Location】 Janson Farm: Located in the Volcan region, surrounded by mountains, with average annual rainfall lower than Boquete. Situated on the west side of Baru Volcano, it produces more intense dried fruit flavors and sweet aromatics compared to Boquete region. Average altitude approximately

The Legendary Geisha Coffee of Panama

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When discussing Panamanian coffee, one must mention the renowned Geisha variety. The characteristic floral notes and smooth, fruit juice-like texture of Geisha make it truly unforgettable. The country of Panama has elevated the Geisha variety to global prominence. FrontStreet Coffee also offers many Geisha coffee varieties. If you observe carefully, FrontStreet Coffee's bean menu divides Geisha varieties into Red Label, Green Label, and Blue Label.

The Rise of Geisha Coffee

In the third wave of specialty coffee, Geisha and Yirgacheffe coffees are the most famous, with Panamanian coffee being particularly renowned for those produced by La Esmeralda Estate. Geisha's fame is largely thanks to La Esmeralda Estate in Panama. First, Geisha was first discovered there, and second, La Esmeralda Estate has won the local green bean competition BOP (Best of Panama) for consecutive years. To some extent, La Esmeralda Estate is synonymous with Geisha. However, Geisha coffee did not originally grow and cultivate in Panama but came from the Geisha Forest in Ethiopia, the homeland of coffee. It was then introduced to Costa Rica in 1953 and later to Panama in 1970.

Panamanian Geisha has received high praise from many industry professionals in the coffee sector. At the same time, Panamanian coffee is sought after by specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

Geisha is pronounced the same as the Japanese word "geisha," which is why it's called Geisha coffee. When introduced to China, it was transliterated as "瑰夏" (Guìxià). Originally, it was grown at the highest point of La Esmeralda Estate and used as a windbreak. Daniel Peterson, the owner of La Esmeralda Estate in Panama, accidentally discovered that the coffee beans produced by these Geisha coffee trees, which were used as windbreaks, actually had the characteristic citrus and floral notes of African beans. Therefore, he separated this coffee independently. In 2004, the owner's son used Geisha to participate in the "Best of Panama" coffee bean cupping competition and won the championship for the first time. Afterward, it continued to participate in various world coffee competitions and won multiple championships. Since then, Geisha has taken center stage.

2004 was the year Geisha truly became famous. That year was also the first time Geisha participated in a competition. The coffee beans submitted by La Esmeralda Estate caused a great sensation in the industry. Its unique flavor shocked all judges, and it broke the BOP record with a cupping score of 94.6 points, winning the Best of Panama (BOP) competition championship. Geisha rose to fame with this victory.

Awards and Recognition

Historical award records:

2004-2007: Four consecutive BOP championships
2009, 2010: BOP championships
2013, 2015: Natural process BOP championships
2005-2007: Three consecutive "SCAA Cupping Pavilion" championships
2004, 2006, 2007: Three consecutive "Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality" championships
2008, 2009, 2013: "Rainforest Alliance Cupping for Quality" championships

According to statistics, as of 2013, Geisha had won 15 different coffee competition championships.

Two months ago, FrontStreet Coffee introduced the Blue Label Natural process, and this time we're bringing Green Label Natural process with a limited-time discount. As we mentioned, washed processing represents the basic flavor of a region, while natural processing adds more flavor and aroma on top of the washed base. In previous years, Red Label would use natural processing, while Green Label and Blue Label would use washed processing to differentiate grades. Facing market demand for processing diversity, La Esmeralda Estate has added natural processing to both Blue Label and Green Label this year.

Of course, the flavor of Geisha coffee is also inseparable from terrain and altitude. Initially, Geisha coffee trees were not widely cultivated because their low yield directly affected harvest quantities, making farmers unwilling to plant them. They were only used as windbreak trees, and no one paid attention to them at that time. It wasn't until Daniel Peterson, the owner of La Esmeralda Estate in Panama, accidentally discovered that the coffee beans produced by the unnoticed Geisha coffee trees serving as windbreaks in the coffee farm carried the characteristic citrus and floral notes of Africa. After he separated these coffee beans and participated in Panama's coffee bean cupping competition, they became an overnight sensation after winning consecutive Panama coffee cupping competition championships for many years. La Esmeralda Estate sparked a Geisha craze that influenced the global coffee industry.

FrontStreet Coffee understands that only Geisha coffee trees growing above 1,400 meters altitude can better express the characteristic flavors of Geisha coffee beans. Therefore, La Esmeralda Estate in Panama divides higher-quality Geisha coffee beans into three grades based on planting altitude and cupping scores: "Red, Green, and Blue." This is also a question frequently asked by FrontStreet Coffee customers.

FrontStreet Coffee · Panama Natural Blue Label Geisha Coffee Beans

Origin: Panama, Boquete
Coffee Estate: La Esmeralda Estate
Coffee Grade: Blue Label
Altitude: 1,500 meters
Variety: Geisha
Processing Method: Natural Process
Flavor: Lemon, honey, passion fruit, fermented wine aroma

Customers who know FrontStreet Coffee understand that FrontStreet Coffee's bean menu is constantly updating. To allow more customers to taste more coffee beans and affordably purchase their favorite coffee beans, FrontStreet Coffee's coffee beans also hold discount activities from time to time. Recently, FrontStreet Coffee's Panama La Esmeralda Estate Natural Green Label and other coffee beans are enjoying 20% off and other promotions.

Some FrontStreet Coffee customers might ask why Panama's Red Label Geisha doesn't have discounts. This is simply because Red Label coffee beans are limited in quantity, and the green bean purchase price is relatively more expensive than other Geisha beans. FrontStreet Coffee will take this opportunity to briefly introduce the general differences between Green Label and Red Label and Blue Label:

The Three Grades of Geisha

Red Label, also known as Esmeralda Special. Grown at altitudes above 1,600-1,800 meters, with cupping scores above 90 points, and participates in auctions. Mainly produced in the Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes regions.

Green Label, also known as Private Collection. Mainly grown at altitudes above 1,600-1,800 meters, does not participate in auctions. Mainly batches from different plots in Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes.

Blue Label, also known as Geisha 1500. Grown at altitudes of 1,400-1,500 meters, does not participate in auctions, mainly produced in the Jaramillo, Cañas Verdes, and El Velo regions.

La Esmeralda Estate's Geisha is divided into three levels. Simply put, below 1,500 meters altitude is Blue Label, above 1,500 meters are Red and Green Labels. La Esmeralda Estate includes three estates with 22 plots. Red Label distinguishes specific plots, while Green Label does not distinguish plots. Auction batches are included in Red Label batches, which indicates that Green Label offers better value. Two months ago, FrontStreet Coffee introduced La Esmeralda Estate Natural Blue Label, greatly enhancing the appreciation potential of Blue Label. In this limited-time discount, we are bringing brand new Natural Green Label. Please stay tuned!

The above are the general differences between the three Geisha coffee beans. FrontStreet Coffee's recently discounted Panama Natural Green Label Geisha sometimes reveals classic Geisha flavors when brewed - floral, fruit, and thick citrus acidity. This is because both Green Label and Red Label come from the highest quality Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes regions of La Esmeralda Estate in Panama. Therefore, although Green Label is not as high-grade as Red Label, due to the mixed different plot model, the flavor similarity between these two is very high.

FrontStreet Coffee · La Esmeralda Estate Natural Green Label Geisha Coffee Beans

Region: Boquete
Estate: La Esmeralda Estate
Altitude: 1,700 meters
Processing Method: Natural Process
Variety: Geisha
Flavor: Jasmine, lemon, berries, honey, melon, mango

In recent years, more and more countries have joined the ranks of Geisha cultivation, such as Colombia, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, all producing Geisha. FrontStreet Coffee has also cupped this Natural Green Label Geisha. When ground, it emits a dry aroma reminiscent of passion fruit. After adding hot water, a jasmine fragrance envelops your senses. When truly tasting, there's very bright lemon acidity upon entry, and after cooling, passion fruit aroma and strawberry juice sensation emerge, with honey-like sweet aftertaste. This is a very classic Geisha flavor, well worth everyone's acquisition.

In addition to Natural Green Label Geisha beans, FrontStreet Coffee also has Washed Green Label Geisha beans. We found that Washed Green Label Geisha has a cleaner taste, with jasmine floral notes and very prominent citrus and berry acidity. FrontStreet Coffee has mentioned washed processing in many articles. Washed processing is closer to a region's main flavor, while natural processing adds aroma and sweetness on top of the washed base. Therefore, when FrontStreet Coffee recommends coffee beans to customers, we prioritize recommending washed process coffee beans.

It's worth noting that both Red Label Geisha and Green Label Geisha often use washed or natural processing to handle coffee beans. However, Blue Label Geisha is different. In previous years, Blue Label only had washed processing, but this year it has adopted natural processing. To compare with Natural Green Label, FrontStreet Coffee also cupped Natural Blue Label. The dry aroma of Natural Blue Label is very sweet and fruity, the wet aroma is very intense, and when tasting this Natural Blue Label, the texture is smooth with very gentle acidity, forming a sharp contrast with the traditional washed Blue Label's lemon, oolong tea, and peach flavors.

Brewing Parameters

Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee would like to share brewing parameters for this Natural Green Label. FrontStreet Coffee typically uses the three-stage brewing method commonly used for serving coffee. For a single serving, use 15 grams of beans with a 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, water temperature of 91°C, medium-fine grind (78% pass-through rate with #20 standard sieve), and V60 dripper.

In the first stage, use 30 grams of water for 30 seconds of blooming. After blooming, pour the second infusion, slowly circling from the center outward, reaching 125 grams of water at one minute. Then in the third stage, continue pouring until 225 grams after the coffee bed is exposed, taking approximately two minutes total. Everyone can then slowly enjoy the flavor of this Natural Green Label.

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