There’s more than one ingredient in a better-than-average cup of coffee. But when you strip away the meticulous processes, precision tools, and centuries of pretense, you’re left with the source: the bean.
And there’s one coffee bean varietal that has gained global renown for its exceptional quality.
Quick Answer: What is geisha coffee?
Geisha coffee is considered by many to be the world’s best cup of coffee. Originally, Geisha coffee beans were sourced from Ethiopia only, but now, you can find them in Asia, the Americas, and other regions of Africa. It’s outrageously expensive, but for true coffee lovers, the price is worth it.
This article will explore the price – and worth – of Geisha coffee in-depth. It’ll also give you a lot more information on these delicious coffee beans, where you can find them, how you should brew them, and more.
If you’re an avid lover of coffee, then you’ll want to check out the rest of this article.
Is Geisha coffee worth trying?
It’s natural to be skeptical. Sure, it’s probably got a hypnotic aroma and an excellent finish, but is Geisha coffee genuinely exceptional?
There are plenty of excellent coffees that are incredible when appropriately made, so why is even a single cup of Geisha worth the trouble or, perhaps more importantly, the exorbitant price you’d have to pay to try it?
Coffee brewed from Geisha beans is absolutely worth trying. While the price is indeed steep, Geisha is a premium product far beyond the quality of most alternatives.
Every coffee lover should treat themselves to a small portion to savor one of the best examples of the beverage available worldwide.
Coffee lovers are often taken aback by their first sip of the smooth, gentle finish of Geisha coffee. It is genuinely a step above almost anything else available.
However, Geisha coffee is prohibitively expensive for most drinkers to consider having every morning. Pinning down the exact price can be tricky.
Like all commodities, the prices fluctuate. In 2019, a one-pound (450 gram) bag of Geisha beans sold for over $1000. The cost of a single cup varies wildly in cities across the world.
Still, it is possible to obtain Geisha coffee beans at more affordable prices online and in some specialty stores. You might even find some of this rare coffee just off the beaten path.
Where are the best Geisha beans grown and processed?
While the origins of the original coffee cherry variant can be traced to Ethiopia, the most coveted Geisha coffee is grown almost exclusively in a remote mountainside region of Panama.
Large farms operate using traditional methods and local labor-producing crops before exporting their award-winning wares around the globe.
Specifically, land off the slopes of Volcan Baru near Boquete in Panama offers fertile volcanic soil and long seasons of tropical sunlight that are almost impossible to match anywhere else on the planet.
Weather and soil conditions unique to this region provide the foundation for the Geisha beans’ exquisite, subtle flavors.
The history of Geisha cultivation in Panama has made the nation famous worldwide for its first-class coffee. Special care and craftsmanship go into this valuable export.
Premier plantations take advantage of the environment and benefits of this ecosystem.
Sarah Woods notes in her travel guide to Panama that microorganisms serve a crucial role in many organically tended operations in the region.
These time and labor-intensive processes preserve the high quality that has received exciting recognition in the last few years.
Years of growing cycles develop the delicious taste of only the finest coffee cherries. Growers spend even longer becoming adept at handpicking the cherries at peak ripeness.
Locals who’ve grown up working Geisha crops learn to notice even the slightest blemish or imperfection.
As you can see from the photos below, Geisha coffee (on the left) has almost no imperfections compared to different coffee beans (on the right):
Large-scale producers engage in complex industrial roasting processes to sort, wash, and dry harvested coffee.
Smaller farms employ traditional sun drying, which is more vulnerable to adverse weather. Both approaches demand constant attention from many careful hands.
With the comings and goings of the seasons, luxury coffee is:
- Picked
- Roasted
- Bagged
Locals and visitors aren’t subject to the immediate and drastic markup when the processed coffee beans leave Panama’s borders and spread thinly worldwide.
Take care to notice the unique spelling of Gesha that Panama plantations use to distinguish their product from other nations. It’s the hallmark of top quality.
What other producers harvest Geisha coffee around the world?
An explosion of global interest has resulted in growers everywhere wanting to cash in on the phenomena of Geisha coffee.
The different soil, elevation, and climate factors have contributed to an expansion of premium flavor profiles.
Bolivia, Costa Rica, and certainly Geisha’s native Ethiopia have contributed stunning examples carrying fantastic aromas.
Sweet floral to caramel notes distinguish many Central American Geishas, while African crops feature honey notes and more exotic herbal flavors.
Though slightly acidic, Geisha coffees share an almost tea-like lightness, allowing for a greater appreciation of the layers of flavor. Regular coffees are much more overwhelming.
The offerings of other producers help balance the market for Geisha coffees.
Varieties not sourced from Panama won’t necessarily come with a jaw-dropping price tag, but be prepared to pay quite a bit more than whatever a barista will hand you at Starbucks.
Where can you find Geisha coffee now?
Well, if you happen to be in Panama, you can get a hot cup of Geisha coffee at a corner coffee shop for a couple of bucks. But for everybody else far removed from tropical plantations, there are other able suppliers.
It’s not too tricky to obtain Geisha coffee online. It’s also available in specialty coffee shops in most cities.
Inspect Geisa coffee packaging and descriptions with careful attention paid to the nation of production. Panama, Central America, and Ethiopia are familiar producers of quality beans.
You’d be wise to stay away from other exporters.
No matter where you get it, be ready to pay handsomely for good Geisha. A single pound (450 grams) currently sells for at least a couple hundred dollars, and there simply isn’t enough worldwide supply to buy in bulk for personal consumption.
Be mindful of questionable vendors online claiming to sell Geisha coffee because the already inflated price range makes getting taken for a ride even harder to suspect.
If buying from Amazon, listings with plentiful reviews will best help you determine what is worth your money.
How do you brew a proper cup of Geisha coffee?
Naturally, you’ll want to start with freshly grinding whole Geisha coffee beans for immediate brewing.
Carefully and thoroughly clean all components of any tools and devices you plan to use for making your own Geisha coffee.
You’ve already made a premium investment in getting your hands on these magical beans, so take the extra time to ensure there won’t be any errant, inferior leftover grounds that could taint the results.
Keep things simple with a straightforward filtered brew. No need for fancy espresso machines; a delicate brewing process is all that’s needed to unlock Geisha’s power.
Make sure to rinse your paper coffee filter before adding the ground coffee into the filter!
Embrace every instinct to conserve every last drop of Geisha coffee and the grounds used to make the beverage.
Take advantage of the filters to save your grounds if you are interested in using them as a meat tenderizer and seasoning. Get every penny’s worth and spice up your steak at the same time.
But please, don’t reuse the Geisha grounds for another round of brewing. It doesn’t matter how much you paid for one ounce of coffee beans. You will regret it.
For a more in-depth view of how to brew Geisha coffee, check out my recipe here!
What’s the big rush to try Geisha now?
You’ll want to try Geisha coffee now before the price increases. Geisha coffee, particularly the Panama variety, is already obscenely expensive.
And the bad news is it’s only going to get more expensive soon.
As an already rare and popular commodity, Geisha coffee commands solid demand in even small quantities.
The logistics of cultivation and global export are suffering from supply chain disruptions of the last year and growing concern about climate changes, upsetting the delicate balance of factors central to Geisha coffee production.
With demand showing no sign of decreasing and supply having a limited capacity, at best, the economics of this situation are abundantly clear.
What costs $600 to fill today may cost double, triple, or more in the coming decade.
Don’t delay if you love great coffee and have yet to experience Geisha. Besides, life’s too short to drink mediocre coffee. Get some of the good stuff sooner rather than later.
It’s worth it for now.
Conclusion
Geisha coffee is an exhilarating new development for coffee enthusiasts wanting to indulge in the best brew available, but hopefully, you see it’s not a privilege beyond your reach.
The unlikely journey across continents and oceans continues as the textured melange of flavors Geisha beans have ushered into markets gains more attention.
Wherever you’re sourcing from, there’s plenty for your palate to discover.
It’s important to treat ourselves, experience the best life has to offer, and savor the rich complexities Geisha can provide.
If you’ve had enough of the bitter mediocrity of your morning brew, spring for something better.
Curious about different coffee trends? Check out this article about barrel aged coffee!
