The Origin and Grading System of Gesha Village: Distinguishing Competition, Gold, Red, Green Labels and Chaka Batches

Since Geisha coffee appeared in the specialty coffee market, coffee enthusiasts have fallen in love with Geisha coffee. As a result, novice coffee lovers often come to FrontStreet Coffee's shop to ask what Geisha coffee recommendations FrontStreet Coffee has. Everyone knows that Panamanian La Esmeralda's Geisha is the most famous, and the price is determined by the estate's internal Geisha grading system. However, FrontStreet Coffee's shop also offers a Geisha coffee from Ethiopia's Gesha Village Estate, which also uses internal grading. Therefore, coffee enthusiasts easily confuse these two origins of Geisha coffee beans. In this article, FrontStreet Coffee will share some relevant information about Gesha Village coffee beans.

The Origin of Gesha Village Estate

The origin of Gesha Village Estate began in 2007 when documentary director Adam Overton and his photographer wife Rachel Samuel were filming a documentary about Ethiopian coffee for the Ethiopian government. During this process, they encountered the Gera coffee forest in the Benshanguel-Gumuz region, which inspired them to establish their own coffee estate and brand.

In 2009, they had the fortune to meet the renowned骡子 estate owner and BOP judge Willem Boot. Willem Boot's ideas provided an opportunity for the Overton couple: return to Ethiopia to find the birthplace of Geisha. Under this premise, they came to Ethiopia's region closest to South Sudan—Benshanguel-Gumuz with an altitude of approximately 1700-2100m. Many places in this area are called Gesha Village, and this region is also the most likely place to find the original Geisha. Therefore, Adam followed Willem Boot to explore the forests around the estate. In a jungle magically enveloped by dense forest, they discovered multiple wild tree species, and most surprisingly, they found wild Geisha.

Later they learned that this was the Gori Gesha forest, the place where Geisha variety was first discovered. So they collected seeds from the original Geisha trees, screened them, and then planted them in Gesha Village. They established the coffee estate here, naming it Gesha Village Coffee Estate, which is the origin of the Ethiopian Gesha Village coffee beans currently on FrontStreet Coffee's menu.

Gesha Village Coffee Estate

FrontStreet Coffee's Ethiopian Gesha Village coffee beans have been active in the specialty coffee market in recent years, receiving widespread acclaim. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee has also introduced them to the shop for coffee enthusiasts to taste and appreciate. According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, Gesha Village is not a small estate but a large coffee estate covering a total area of 471 hectares. The coffee produced here has bright and clean flavors.

This large estate is divided into 8 plots, each with unique microclimates and different soil characteristics. The estate owner continuously screened coffee varieties, ultimately finding suitable seeds, planting them, conducting cupping tests, and finally confirming them. Therefore, they also graded these Gesha Village coffee beans through comparison, which is the grading system like the Gesha Village Gold Label, Red Label, and Green Label coffee beans in FrontStreet Coffee's shop.

How Does Gesha Village Grade Coffee Beans?

As FrontStreet Coffee mentioned above, Gesha Village's area is very large, so Geisha coffee beans will have subtle variations due to different microclimates where each plot's coffee beans grow. Therefore, to live up to Gesha Village's "flavor reputation," Gesha Village has implemented a strict internal grading system.

These include Auction, Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, and Chaka batches. Next, FrontStreet Coffee will briefly introduce the characteristics of these coffee bean labels.

Auction Batch Geisha

Accounting for only 3.7% of Gesha Village's annual production, these are the estate's top-tier batches经过严苛筛选的庄园最顶级批次，only available through the 2018 Gesha Village Coffee Estate global auction. The 2018 auction batches had cupping scores of 88.15-92.67 points, and these were further divided into Champion's Reserve and Farm Reserve. For example, Gesha Village 2018 Auction Lot RSV.6 belongs to the auction batch.

Gold Label Batch Geisha

Accounting for only 5% of Gesha Village's annual production, these are the batches typically chosen by competition participants worldwide. Roasters with high quality requirements also purchase them. They have complete traceability, prominent and complex flavors in each batch, making them the excellent label second only to the auction batches.

Red Label Batch Geisha

These are batches with complete traceability and typical Gesha Village flavors. The flavor intensity and complexity are slightly weaker than the Gold Label batches, making them a single-origin batch with very high cost performance.

Green Label Batch Geisha

These are batches from single plots and single varieties, with typical Gesha Village flavors. The flavor intensity and complexity are slightly weaker than the Red Label batches.

Chaka Batch

This is a Geisha coffee blend produced by Gesha Village, including three varieties: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1931, and Illubabor (Ethiopian native disease-resistant variety).

Area and Varieties of Different Gesha Village Plots

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, Gesha Village Estate owners have very detailed plot numbering, which facilitates later management and flavor traceability. The following map shows the area and varieties of different Gesha Village plots.

From this map, it can be seen that the western side of the estate has relatively higher terrain, so the three plots of OMA, SURMA, and SHEWA-JIBABU have slightly higher altitudes. The southern side has a relatively higher shade ratio, while the northern side receives longer sunlight exposure. Among the eight plots, estate managers select the most suitable variety for each plot based on microclimate differences such as altitude, soil conditions, and shade conditions, ensuring each major plot can form distinct characteristics.

The above is some relevant information about Gesha Village Geisha coffee beans compiled by FrontStreet Coffee. Before launching any new bean, FrontStreet Coffee conducts cupping and brewing tests. Next, FrontStreet Coffee will share a comparison of brewing flavors for Gesha Village Red Label, Green Label, and Chaka coffee beans.

FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopian Gesha Village Red Label Coffee Beans

Country: Ethiopia
Region: Benshanguel-Gumuz (Gesha Village Estate)
Altitude: 1909-2069m
Variety: Gori Gesha
Processing: Natural Process

FrontStreet Coffee Gesha Village Green Label Geisha Coffee Beans

Country: Ethiopia
Region: Benshanguel-Gumuz (Gesha Village Estate)
Altitude: 1911-2001m
Variety: Gori Gesha
Processing: Natural Process

FrontStreet Coffee Gesha Village Chaka Geisha Coffee Beans

Country: Ethiopia
Region: Benshanguel-Gumuz (Gesha Village Estate)
Altitude: 1900-2100m
Varieties: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1921, Illubabor
Processing: Natural Process

FrontStreet Coffee Roasting Analysis

For this roasting, FrontStreet Coffee selected the newly arrived Gesha Village Green Label coffee beans. Since this batch of green labels is from the 2020 new production season with higher moisture content, the dehydration time will be extended during roasting. The final roast degree is determined to be medium-light to highlight the fruit sweetness.

Yangjia 800N, 500g bean input: Heat to 175°C, fire power 130, damper opening 3; Return point at 1'36", when furnace temperature reaches 92.8°C, at 3 minutes open damper to 4, increase fire power to 140; When furnace temperature reaches 152.6°C, bean surface turns yellow, grassy smell completely disappears, entering dehydration stage, reduce fire power to 100; At 8'20", bean surface shows ugly wrinkles and black spots, toast smell clearly turns to coffee aroma, can be defined as the prelude to first crack. At this time, listen carefully for the first crack sound. At 9'55" first crack begins, open damper to 5, develop for 1'30 after first crack, discharge at 193.5°C.

FrontStreet Coffee Cupping Report

FrontStreet Coffee Pour-over Data Sharing

FrontStreet Coffee recommends using freshly roasted coffee beans for brewing to fully experience the rich flavors of coffee. The coffee beans shipped by FrontStreet Coffee are all within 5 days of roasting time, because FrontStreet Coffee deeply understands that coffee bean freshness has a significant impact on flavor. FrontStreet Coffee's roasting philosophy is "Freshly Roasted Good Coffee," ensuring that every customer who places an order receives the freshest coffee. The coffee resting period is about 4-7 days, so when customers receive the coffee, it is at its optimal flavor time.

Water to coffee ratio: 1:15
Grind size: Medium-coarse (80% pass through #20 sieve)
Water temperature: 91°C
Brewing device: Hario V60

Brewing method: 30g water for bloom 35s, segmental pour to 125g taking 1'00, then pour to 225ml taking until 1'50, total coffee extraction time is 2'10.

Gesha Village Red Label flavor description: Fermented wine aroma, citrus and kumquat acidity, fullness of berry juice.

Gesha Village Green Label flavor description: Coconut, licorice, cream, chocolate, toffee, citrus, almond, strawberry, with fermented aroma when smelled. Overall flavor is relatively balanced, with rich mouthfeel and prominent nutty flavors.

Gesha Village Chaka flavor description: Smells with light fermented aroma, tastes with citrus and grapefruit acidity, carrying cream, chocolate, and caramel flavors, with gentle flavors.

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