What is Chili Geisha Coffee? Is Aji Bourbon or Geisha? Does Finca La Línea's Chili Bean Have a Chili Flavor?

Earlier this month, the 2024 World Barista Championship (WBC) concluded successfully, with the championship trophy awarded to Mikael Jasin from Indonesia. His self-selected coffee beans from the finals instantly gained popularity, with a variety called "Aji Chili" immediately capturing the attention of many coffee enthusiasts.

To investigate whether the highly renowned Aji chili truly has a "chili flavor," FrontStreet Coffee took the opportunity to acquire a small batch for tasting. Also selected from Colombia's Divisoria Estate, this coffee underwent washed processing. Next, let's first explore what exactly this "chili" variety is, and then reveal whether it's actually spicy or not!

Why is it called "Chili"?

Aji chili, also known as Aji Bourbon, where "Ají" means "red chili pepper" in Spanish, derives its name from its unique spicy flavor.

FrontStreet Coffee's research shows that Aji chili first appeared on the winning bean list at the 2021 Colombia Cup of Excellence (COE), achieving a high score of 89.32 and ranking sixth in the washed category. The grower was the Lasso family from La Guaca Estate in Pitalito, Huila Province, managed by Jose Herman Salazar.

Around the end of the last century, Jose acquired these chili coffee seeds from another estate in Pitalito, Huila Province. During one harvest, he accidentally discovered that the mature fruits from these trees naturally emitted a strong red chili pepper aroma. Consequently, the farm owner decided to classify, select, and separately plant and harvest these seeds. Since the coffee planted in the estate at that time was predominantly Pink Bourbon, Jose subconsciously assumed this was another Bourbon variety and thus named it: Aji Bourbon.

Does Aji Bourbon belong to the Bourbon variety?

In the 2021 COE competition, judges discovered that the coffee provided by Jose was an unknown variety. Subsequent genetic analysis, cross-referenced with thousands of samples from CATIE (an institution specializing in coffee DNA testing locally), verified that this variety has not been registered in any coffee-growing region worldwide. While it was confirmed not to be Bourbon, it may originate from Ethiopian landrace varieties. Ultimately, the COE official website also removed the term "Bourbon," keeping only the name "Aji."

It wasn't until March 2022 that the chromosome analysis report for "Aji" coffee was released, with results that surprised everyone: it turned out to be a hybrid variety of Congo Gesha and Ethiopian Gesha landrace.

Han Huaizong mentioned in "Fourth Wave Specialty Coffee Studies": "Aji's chromosome sequence is quite unique, sharing many similarities with Congo Gesha from the CATIE database. The differences between Aji and Congo Gesha can be found in Ethiopian Gesha. Therefore, it's highly likely that Aji is a hybrid of Congo Gesha and Ethiopian Gesha."

Due to the identification results showing two Gesha genes, people have additionally given it a new name: "Aji Gesha." However, just like Pink Bourbon, although the variety's genetic sequence clearly indicates it's not a Bourbon variety, the name "Ají Bourbon" has already spread among growers and consumers. Therefore, until now, this variety is still sold under the old name "Aji Bourbon."

So is this "Chili Coffee" actually spicy?

Regarding this Aji chili coffee, the coffee farmers who first encountered it described it this way: when coffee beans are crushed, it's like cutting red chili peppers, causing itching in the nose and eyes. When tasting the coffee, this bean presents flavors reminiscent of chili powder, red chili, and pepper. (when you squeeze a grain, you have the sensation of the itching that the chili gives in the eye and nose and in the cup it gives note of paprika, chili and pepper.)

Just reading these descriptions, FrontStreet Coffee could almost feel the spiciness. What if it doesn't suit the constitution of people from Guangdong?

After acquiring this Aji chili coffee, and considering its rich fruity acidity profile, FrontStreet Coffee chose a medium-light roast curve to preserve more of its delicate aromatic compounds while maintaining the nutty and spicy notes brought by caramelization.

FrontStreet Coffee: Colombia Divisoria · Aji Bourbon Coffee Beans

Origin: Huila Province, Colombia

Estate: Divisoria Estate

Altitude: 1750-1900 meters

Variety: Aji Bourbon

Processing: Washed

Flavor Notes: Pepper, mint, white chamomile, peach, lime, honey

Cupping Notes of Aji Chili

Before grinding, FrontStreet Coffee detected a hint of green bell pepper from the bean surface. Once ground, the aromas of pepper and clove immediately filled the nasal cavity, followed by the fragrances of white chamomile and lavender, creating an overall fresh and unique profile. With the addition of hot water, the coffee began to release notes of lime, almond, and herbal aromas.

Tasting Experience

Upon entry, the coffee presents flavors of mint, lemongrass, and lemon, with bright fruit acidity and a smooth texture. As the temperature slightly decreases, the peach-like juiciness becomes prominent, making the mouth water, and after swallowing, one can still perceive maple-like sweetness. As the coffee gradually cools, the flavor experience returns to the domain of spices, predominantly pepper and cinnamon, with a slight anise aftertaste. Although the "spiciness" mentioned by the estate owners wasn't perceived, the flavor experience of Aji chili is indeed wonderfully unique, leaving a deep impression.

Finally, regarding the flavor experience of Aji chili coffee, since FrontStreet Coffee has no plans to list it individually for sale, only a small quantity was acquired for in-store tasting. Once it's gone, it's gone, so those who want to try it should hurry and visit!

- END -

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473