Understanding Red Label Geisha: Ethiopian Coffee Evaluation and Grading System

FrontStreet Coffee · Ethiopia Gesha Village Red Label Natural Gesha Coffee Beans

Origin: Ethiopia

Region: Gesha Village

Processing: Natural

Variety: Ethiopia Gesha

Altitude: 2040 meters

Roast Level: Medium-light roast

FrontStreet Coffee suggests following SCA recommendations for pour-over coffee: 15g coffee grounds with 90-91°C hot water for 225ml, with a water-to-coffee ratio of 1:15.

The Red Label batch accounts for approximately 15% of Gesha Village's annual production, representing batches with complete traceability and cupping scores exceeding 88 points (SCA standard).

This FrontStreet Coffee Ethiopia Gesha Village Red Label coffee embodies typical Gesha Village characteristics, with slightly less intensity and complexity than the Gold Label batch, making it an exceptional value single-origin offering.

Its flavor profile presents coconut, licorice, cream, chocolate, toffee, citrus, almond, and strawberry, with fermented aromatics. The overall flavor is well-balanced with a rich mouthfeel and prominent nutty notes.

The Origin of Gesha Village

Gesha Village's Gori Gesha Forest is the place where the Gesha variety was first discovered. In 2011, following consultant Willem Boot, Adam began "exploring" 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 the seeds to professional institutions for genetic testing, confirming this as the original collection site of the Panama Gesha variety. Subsequently, through studying coffee tree morphology, bean appearance and size, as well as cupping results, they selected the Gesha variety most closely resembling today's Panama Gesha and began seedling cultivation. Adam has his own understanding of coffee processing, using high-quality natural and washed methods to highlight terroir, supplemented by small amounts of honey processing and other experimental batches.

Gesha Village Internal Classification

Gesha Village's internal grading includes Auction, Gold Label, Red Label, Green Label, and Chaka batches. Gesha Village includes three varieties: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1931, and Illubabor (Ethiopia's native disease-resistant variety).

How to Distinguish Between Grades?

Even the most prestigious estates produce coffee with quality variations. To honor Gesha Village's "flavor reputation," the estate implements a strict grading system.

Auction Batch

Accounting for only 3.7% of Gesha Village's annual production, this represents the estate's most meticulously selected premium batches, available only through the 2018 Gesha Village Coffee Estate Global Auction. The 2018 auction batches scored 88.15-92.67 points in cupping, further divided into Champion's Reserve and Farm Reserve. For example, Gesha Village 2018 Auction Lot RSV.6 belongs to this category.

Gold Label Batch

Representing merely 5% of Gesha Village's annual production, this is the batch typically chosen by competition baristas worldwide and purchased by roasters with high quality standards. It offers complete traceability, with each batch featuring outstanding flavors and high complexity, making it the estate's second-best grade after the Auction batches.

Red Label Batch

Batches with complete traceability offering typical Gesha Village flavors, with slightly less intensity and complexity than Gold Label batches, representing exceptional value single-origin offerings.

Green Label Batch

Batches from single plots and single varieties, featuring typical Gesha Village flavors, with slightly less intensity and complexity than Red Label batches.

Chaka Batch

Gesha Village's Gesha coffee blend, incorporating three varieties: Gori Gesha, Gesha 1931, and Illubabor (Ethiopia's native disease-resistant variety).

Gesha Village Estate Details

Gesha Village covers a total area of 471 hectares. Since 2011, cultivation areas have been gradually expanded, reaching approximately 320 hectares by 2017, making it one of the world's largest Gesha estates. To better manage and refine coffee flavors, the estate owner divided Gesha Village into 8 major zones, with further numbering within each batch. The western side of the estate has relatively higher terrain, so the OMA, SURMA, and SHEWA-JIBABU plots have slightly higher altitudes, while the southern side has a higher shade ratio, and the northern side receives longer sunlight exposure.

Among the eight plots, estate managers select the most suitable variety for each area based on microclimate differences such as altitude, soil conditions, and shade coverage (as shown above), ensuring each major plot develops distinct characteristics.

The Legacy of Gesha

Gesha has always dominated conversations in coffee circles. In the eyes of coffee professionals, Gesha is undoubtedly the deserved goddess—countless people are enchanted by its bright, complex floral and fruit aromas, multi-layered high-sweetness fruit notes, and delicate, soft acidity.

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