Comparing Flavor Profiles and Characteristics: Panama Red Label Geisha Coffee Beans vs Ethiopian Geisha Village Red Label Coffee Grades

When it comes to the most popular coffee beans in the specialty coffee market, Geisha coffee undoubtedly ranks at the top. The Geisha coffee variety primarily originates from Ethiopia, the birthplace of coffee beans, but it was Panama's Hacienda La Esmeralda that truly brought it to prominence. However, with the growing specialty coffee market, Ethiopian coffee-producing regions have also established estates专门 dedicated to producing Geisha variety coffee beans. In this article, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce the regional flavor characteristics of Geisha coffee.

Origin of the Geisha Coffee Variety

The Geisha coffee variety was discovered in 1931 in the Geisha forest of Ethiopia. Later, Geisha was sent to the Coffee Research Institute in Kenya, introduced to Uganda and Tanzania in 1936, brought to Costa Rica in 1953, and finally to Panama in 1970.

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, Geisha coffee received little attention during this period because Geisha coffee trees have very low yields, are difficult to cultivate, and offer low economic benefits, so no one paid much attention to it. Later, the owner of Hacienda La Esmeralda and his son discovered that Geisha coffee beans had unique flavors that were quite different from the coffee flavors native to Panama. In 2003, they began to separately cultivate the Geisha variety, and in 2004, they entered Geisha variety coffee beans in the BOP coffee competition, where they won first place. Geisha coffee thus became famous overnight, appearing in the sights of coffee enthusiasts worldwide, while also sparking a trend of planting Geisha coffee in Panama.

Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha Coffee

When discussing Geisha, FrontStreet Coffee must mention Hacienda La Esmeralda, the "Bole" of Geisha coffee. As mentioned above, Hacienda La Esmeralda is the promoter of Geisha coffee. Therefore, the estate owners focused most of their efforts on developing infrastructure to support strict separation of outstanding batches and fine processing. They grade Geisha by planting location, which is why we now see Red Label Geisha, Green Label Geisha, and Blue Label Geisha at FrontStreet Coffee.

Grading Standards for Hacienda La Esmeralda's Red, Green, and Blue Labels

As FrontStreet Coffee mentioned above, Hacienda La Esmeralda strictly and finely divides all coffee beans produced on the estate, making its marketing strategy different from other estates. It classifies coffee into five major brands based on cupping scores, varieties grown, and planting locations. Among these, three brands are Geisha varieties: Esmeralda Special (Red Label), Private Collection (Blue Label), and Geisha 1500 (Green Label).

Hacienda La Esmeralda Red Label Geisha

Esmeralda Special's Geisha is what we commonly know as Red Label. It selects Geisha coffee beans from two sub-estates, Jaramillo and Cañas Verdes, requiring cultivation at altitudes between 1600-1800 meters with cupping scores above 90 points.

Additionally, it must participate in Hacienda La Esmeralda's independent auction. Only Geisha batches from designated plots that are submitted for auction become auction Red Label. However, there are also non-auction Red Labels on the market today, which are actually Geisha beans selected from the same plots but not submitted for auction, then circulated on the market. The variety and quality are consistent, with only differences in pricing.

FrontStreet Coffee: Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Red Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Country: Panama
Region: Boquet (Hacienda La Esmeralda)
Altitude: 1700 m
Variety: Geisha
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Citrus, Complex Fruits, Rose Tea, Honey

Hacienda La Esmeralda Green Label Geisha

Private Collection, commonly known as Green Label, differs from Red Label Geisha in that it's not from independent competition batches, but still represents excellent quality Geisha varieties. Green Label Geisha selects micro-batch mixed beans grown at altitudes of 1600-1800 meters from three different Hacienda La Esmeralda estates.

Due to the mixed bean approach without detailed plot specifications, Green Label Geisha sometimes shows very similar flavor profiles to Red Label Geisha. Although Green Label Geisha doesn't reach the premium level of Red Label Geisha, it still maintains classic Geisha flavors such as the characteristic floral notes, fruit aromas, citrus acidity, and thick, juicy mouthfeel. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee believes Green Label Geisha offers the best value among these three labels.

FrontStreet Coffee: Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Green Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Country: Panama
Region: Boquet (Hacienda La Esmeralda)
Altitude: 1700 m
Variety: Geisha
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Jasmine, Citrus, Honeydew, Berries

Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha 1500

The Geisha 1500 brand is what we commonly know as Blue Label Geisha. This grade also consists of mixed Geisha beans from three different plots, but uses beans grown at altitudes of 1400-1500 meters. Blue Label Geisha typically exhibits light floral notes, fruit acidity, and refreshing sweetness of melons and fruits, with a less full body. Therefore, Blue Label Geisha is also the most affordable among these three labels, but its coffee beans still demonstrate excellent Geisha flavor characteristics.

However, as Hacienda La Esmeralda sought to enhance their brand positioning, they officially discontinued Blue Label Geisha batches between 2019-2022, then sold Geisha coffee from this region to a brand company, which launched "Las Rocas," also known as Volcanic Rock Geisha coffee beans - what we know as Blue Label.

FrontStreet Coffee: Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda Washed Blue Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Country: Panama
Region: Boquet (Hacienda La Esmeralda)
Altitude: 1400-1500 m
Variety: Geisha
Processing: Washed Processing
Flavor: Lemon, Oolong Tea, Cane Sugar, Peach

The above represents FrontStreet Coffee's compilation of the grading standards for these three Hacienda La Esmeralda Geisha coffee beans. However, as coffee enthusiasts who research Geisha know, besides Panama, many familiar regions now also grow Geisha, and influenced by growing environments, they exhibit "Geisha flavors" different from Hacienda La Esmeralda. For example, Gesha Village Coffee Estate in Ethiopia has become increasingly popular in Geisha circles. Next, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce the most famous Ethiopian estate currently growing Geisha coffee.

Gesha Village Coffee Estate Geisha Coffee

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, the estate owner's cultivation of Geisha coffee originated from an opportunity. In 2007, documentary director Adam Overton and his photographer wife Rachel Samuel, while filming a documentary about Ethiopian coffee for the Ethiopian government, encountered the Gera coffee forest in the Bench-Maji region. During this process, they not only rediscovered this great land of Ethiopia but also developed the idea of establishing their own coffee estate and brand.

In 2009, they had the fortune to meet the renowned mule estate owner and BOP judge Willem Boot. Willem Boot's idea of "returning to Ethiopia to find Geisha's birthplace" provided the couple with an opportunity. In 2011, they returned to Bench-Maji, where several areas were called Gesha Village, the most likely region to find native Geisha varieties.

Adam followed Willem Boot on expeditions into surrounding forests, discovering multiple wild coffee tree species in a jungle surrounded by dense forest (known as Gori Geisha Forest). Among these, the most exciting discovery was the native Geisha variety. They collected seeds from native Geisha trees, screened them, and then planted them in Gesha Village. They decided to establish the estate here, naming it Gesha Village Coffee Estate.

Gesha Village Coffee Estate is located in western Ethiopia, in the Bench Maji region, surrounded by dense jungle. The location of Gesha Village boasts beautiful scenery and pleasant climate, with views of ancient, vast forests from higher elevations. Estate owners Adam and Rachel searched for three years to find a suitable estate, guided by locals to Geisha's native homeland forest. It is a two-day drive from the capital Addis Ababa.

Gesha Village Estate covers approximately 471 hectares, with about 320 hectares dedicated to coffee cultivation, featuring brown-red loamy soil. Planting density is maintained at 7,000 coffee trees per hectare. The plot is named Oma to honor a respected and beloved religious leader. Gesha Village coffee beans are filled with complex flavors and are very rare, often selected by international competition baristas. Due to local ecological environment maintenance and good relationships with local residents, the Gesha Village Foundation was established to give back to the local community, promoting educational development through two schools near the estate.

Gesha Village Coffee Bean Varieties

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, in just over a decade, the estate has cultivated three Geisha variety coffees, including Gesha1931 and Gori Gesha, named after the expedition teams that discovered the coffee trees, and Illubabor, provided by the Ethiopian Coffee Research Center.

Gesha1931 has been researched as the variety closest to Panama Geisha coffee, confirmed through observation of plant morphology, bean shape, size, and cupping results. The Gori Gesha native variety was collected by the Gesha Village estate owner in 2011 during their own expedition from the Gori Geisha wild coffee forest about 20 kilometers from the current Gesha Village estate, with no duplicate samples found elsewhere.

Gesha Village Geisha Coffee Grading System

According to FrontStreet Coffee's understanding, Willem Boot also brought Panama's business model to Gesha Village, creating the current Geisha coffee grading system within the estate. This includes the Gesha Village Auction, Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, and Chaka Geisha coffee beans found on FrontStreet Coffee's menu.

However, these grading standards differ significantly from Panama Hacienda La Esmeralda's Geisha coffee grading. FrontStreet Coffee currently carries Gesha Village Gold Label batches, Red Label batches, and Chaka batches. Next, FrontStreet Coffee will briefly explain the standards for these Gesha Village Geisha coffee bean grades.

Auction Batches: Accounting for only 3.7% of Gesha Village's annual production, these are the estate's top-tier batches selected through rigorous screening, available only through the 2018 Gesha Village Coffee Estate global auction. The 2018 auction batches scored between 88.15-92.67 points, further divided into Champion's Reserve and Farm Reserve. For example, Gesha Village 2018 Auction Lot RSV.6 belongs to auction batches.

Gold Label Batches: Gold Label accounts for only 10% of Gesha Village's annual production, virtually on par with auction batches. These are typically chosen by competition participants worldwide. For instance, at the 2018 WBC World Championship held in the Netherlands, the Australian and Japanese champions selected Gold Label batches for competition. Roasters with high quality standards also purchase these batches, which offer complete traceability and outstanding, complex flavors in each batch, making them the estate's second-best grade after auction batches. FrontStreet Coffee's current Gold Label comes from Oma 059 batch.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Coffee Estate Gold Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Region: Ethiopia Bench-Maji Region
Estate: Gesha Village Coffee Estate Oma Plot
Altitude: 1900-2040 meters
Variety: Gesha 1931
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Citrus, Lemon, Tropical Fruits, Cream, Nuts, Tea Sensation SCA

Red Label Batches: This grade accounts for 15% of Gesha Village Estate's total production and offers complete traceability. Cupping scores must meet the 88-point standard under the SCA scoring system, with typical Gesha Village flavors. The flavor intensity and complexity are slightly weaker than Gold Label batches, making it a single-origin batch with excellent value.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Coffee Estate Red Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Region: Ethiopia Bench-Maji Region
Estate: Gesha Village Coffee Estate
Altitude: 1909-2069 meters
Variety: Gori Gesha
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Coconut, Licorice, Cream, Chocolate, Toffee, Citrus, Almond, Strawberry

Green Label Batches: Officially named SINGLE-TERROIR (Single Terroir/Plot), these coffee beans come from single farms at Gesha Village. Complete traceability information can be found for each batch number in the Single-Terroir series, including farm name, coffee variety, and processing date. FrontStreet Coffee has not yet stocked Green Label Gesha batches but will have them available soon. Next, FrontStreet Coffee will share basic information about Gesha Village Green Label batch Geisha coffee beans.

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Coffee Estate Green Label Geisha Coffee Beans
Region: Ethiopia Bench-Maji Region
Estate: Gesha Village Coffee Estate
Altitude: 1911-2001 meters
Variety: Gori Gesha
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Citrus, Cherry, Berries, Honey, Fermented Sensation

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

FrontStreet Coffee: Ethiopia Gesha Village Coffee Estate Chaka Geisha Coffee Beans
Region: Ethiopia Bench-Maji Region
Estate: Gesha Village Coffee Estate
Altitude: 1909-2069 meters
Variety: Gesha 1931, Gori Gesha, Illubabor
Processing: Natural Processing
Flavor: Citrus, Grapefruit, Cream, Chocolate Caramel

The above represents FrontStreet Coffee's compilation of information about Geisha coffee variety beans and their regional flavor characteristics. We hope this helps coffee enthusiasts better understand Geisha coffee to select Geisha variety coffee beans that suit their personal taste preferences.

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