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The Difference Between Geisha Coffee Bean Grades—What's the Biggest Difference Between Hacienda La Esmeralda's Red Label and Green Label Geisha

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/28, Geisha coffee beans became famous after Hacienda La Esmeralda discovered, cultivated, and won first place in the Panama Best of Panama green coffee competition with them. Over the following two decades, Hacienda La Esmeralda continued to dominate the competition with their Geisha varieties. Geisha was originally called by its Japanese pronunciation "Geisha" (艺妓), and later when Mr. Yuan introduced it to the Chinese market, it became widely known as Geisha coffee.

Geisha coffee beans gained fame when the owner of La Esmeralda Estate discovered and cultivated them, winning first place in the Panama green coffee competition. Over the past two decades, La Esmeralda has continued to dominate these competitions. The English name "Geisha" was phonetically translated by the Japanese as "Geisha," and later, Mr. Yuan introduced it to the Chinese market and translated it as "Gui Xia" (瑰夏). FrontStreet Coffee previously detailed the origins and history of Panama's La Esmeralda Geisha in an earlier article, which you can reference for more information. This article will focus only on explaining the grade differences between the Red Label and Green Label Geisha varieties.

Daniel Peterson, the owner of Panama La Esmeralda, unexpectedly discovered that the coffee beans produced by Geisha coffee trees—originally used as windbreaks at the highest point of his coffee estate—had distinctive citrus and floral aromas typical of African coffee beans. After separating these beans and entering them in the 2004 Panama Coffee Cupping Competition, they gained immediate fame. Since then, Geisha beans have been unstoppable, winning the Panama Coffee Cupping Competition for consecutive years. In the eyes of specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide today, Geisha coffee beans are undoubtedly an unparalleled treasure.

Geisha Varieties by Estate Location at La Esmeralda

High-quality Geisha is primarily produced from two estate locations: Jaramillo and Canas Verdes.

Jaramillo: With an annual rainfall of 4000ml, average daytime temperatures between 19-25°C, average nighttime temperatures between 11-15°C, and an average altitude of 1600-1700m. The Jaramillo location is subdivided into 5 small plots: Mario, Noria, Reina, Bosque, and Buenos Aires.

Canas Verdes: With an annual rainfall of 3500ml, average daytime temperatures between 16-23°C, average nighttime temperatures between 10-15°C, and an average altitude of 1600-1800m. Canas Verdes includes 9 small plots: Lino, Coronado, Fundador, León, Montaña, Trapiche, Chinta, Cabaña, and Tumaco.

Map showing the different plots and locations within La Esmeralda Estate

Esmeralda Special (Red Label)

The Geisha produced by Esmeralda Special is what we commonly know as the Red Label. These are Geisha coffee beans grown at altitudes of 1600-1800 meters, with cupping scores above 90 points, and sourced from the Jaramillo and Canas Verdes growing regions. The Red Label refers to Geisha batches from specific plots that are selected for independent auctions organized by La Esmeralda Estate itself. Customers often ask whether the auction Red Label or the regular Red Label tastes better. In fact, both non-auction and auction Red Label beans come from the same plots—the only difference is whether they participated in the auction.

Private Collection (Green Label)

Private Collection, commonly known as Green Label, consists of batches not part of independent competitions but still of excellent quality. These are Geisha varieties grown at altitudes of 1600-1800 meters, consisting of micro-lot blends from different plots including Jaramillo, Canas Verdes, and others.

Package of Green Label Geisha coffee beans from La Esmeralda

People often ask about the difference between Red Label and Green Label. FrontStreet Coffee offers the simplest explanation: Red Label beans can be traced back to specific small plots, while Green Label is a blend that cannot be traced to specific origins. Due to the blending approach without detailed plot specifications, Green Label beans sometimes show high flavor similarity to Red Label, but the next batch might differ. FrontStreet Coffee finds that drinking Green Label feels like buying a lottery ticket—perhaps this batch will taste like the Red Label. Green Label Geisha is processed using both natural and washed processing methods.

Flavor Profiles

Red Label: Features bright rose and citrus aromas, brown rice, berries, apricot, complex fruits, and honey, with a rich juiciness, complex flavor layers, and noticeable sweetness.

Green Label: Intense jasmine floral aroma, high sweetness, citrus, berries, juiciness, cream, green tea, orange peel, and cantaloupe, with overall complex flavor layers and a persistent floral and citrus aftertaste.