What Are the Differences Between Geisha Grown in Costa Rica and Panama? Introduction to Honey Processed Geisha from Hacienda San Isidro Labrador, Tarrazú Region

For nearly 20 years, Geisha has been one of the most popular coffee varieties in the world. Its rapid rise to fame in 2004 was followed by record-breaking prices at numerous prestigious coffee auctions, particularly in Panama.

The origins of Geisha trace back to Ethiopia, where it initially garnered little attention due to its low yield and tall plants that made cultivation difficult. However, thanks to its resistance to leaf rust disease, it was distributed to research centers in various countries. It was introduced to Costa Rica in 1953 and finally reached Panama in 1970, where local producers discovered the immense potential of the Geisha variety.

This discovery attracted other coffee-producing nations to begin cultivating and producing Geisha varieties, including Panama's neighbor, Costa Rica. These two countries share similar climates and natural environments. So how is Costa Rican Geisha? How does it differ from Panamanian Geisha?

Panama: The Land of Premium Geisha

Panama features undulating terrain with numerous valleys and a tropical maritime climate. Apart from the coastal plains in the north and south, most of the country consists of mountains and volcanoes. Coffee is cultivated at elevations between 1,200-2,000 meters in the mountains, where unique microclimates develop. Additionally, the significant temperature variations in these high-altitude regions allow coffee cherries to mature slowly and develop complex flavors, providing natural conditions for growing premium coffee in Panama.

Coffee is primarily grown in the western Chiriquí province, which connects to Costa Rica. Centered around the Chiriquí volcano (also known as Barú Volcano), it is divided into three coffee-producing regions: Boquete, Volcán-Candela, and Renacimiento. Among these regions, there are many renowned coffee estates, such as Hacienda La Esmeralda, Elida Estate, and Hartmann Estate.

FrontStreet Coffee offers a Geisha from the Boquete region - FrontStreet Coffee's Panama Boquete Geisha, which is washed processed. When brewed, it reveals jasmine floral aromas, lemon-like acidity, and flavors of bergamot and honey, with a green tea-like mouthfeel and a clean, refreshing finish.

Costa Rica: Rich Terroir and Quality Production

Costa Rica likewise boasts abundant natural resources and ecological environments. Coffee is cultivated in regions ranging from 800-2,000 meters, primarily concentrated in the central mountain ranges, mostly of volcanic terrain. The volcanic ash provides fertile soil, mild and suitable temperatures, and stable, abundant rainfall - these are crucial factors for Costa Rica's production of exceptional coffee. Although Costa Rica and Panama share similarities in growing environments, there are still some significant differences.

Recently, FrontStreet Coffee introduced a new addition - FrontStreet Coffee's Costa Rica Honey Processed Geisha from the San Isidro Labrador Estate. This estate is located in Costa Rica's most important coffee-producing region, Tarrazú. The entire estate sits at approximately 1,950 meters above sea level, with distinct dry and rainy seasons that create numerous unique microclimates. The estate has consistently focused on the cultivation, production, and quality of specialty coffee, achieving excellent rankings and awards multiple times in the country's Cup of Excellence (COE) competition.

This particular FrontStreet Coffee Costa Rica Labrador Estate Geisha that we acquired undergoes Costa Rica's common honey processing method. When brewed, it presents delicate floral aromas, with flavors of cherry, tangerine, and yellow peach. It has a juice-like sweetness, a clean finish, and a mouthfeel reminiscent of oolong tea.

Comparing Panamanian and Costa Rican Geisha

Although Costa Rican and Panamanian Geisha belong to the same variety, differences in geographical location, growing environment, and processing methods result in distinct flavor characteristics between the Geisha produced in these two countries. Furthermore, coffee beans are agricultural products, and even within the same country and variety, those produced in different regions will exhibit different flavor profiles.

Whether from Panama or Costa Rica, Geisha varieties generally display floral and citrus flavor notes. Since Costa Rica often uses honey processing, the sweetness tends to be higher, but overall, it doesn't achieve the same level of complexity and richness as Panamanian Geisha.

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