Geisha Coffee: Origin, Price, and Buying Guide
Updated - Team Colipse
Geisha coffee is a popular, expensive Coffea arabica variety with long, slender beans. Geisha coffee's unique flavor, careful production, limited growth, and high demand make it special. Geisha coffee prices vary by origin, quality, and processing. Green Geisha beans from Colombia, Guatemala, or Costa Rica cost $25–50 per pound, but top microlots exceed $1,000. This coffee has a complex, exquisite flavor with floral notes like jasmine and tropical flowers, creating a soothing, aromatic experience. The best Geisha coffee scores above 90 on the Specialty Coffee Association scale, considering aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, and balance. Colipse doesn't sell Gesha coffee, but offers single-origin Latin American coffee from Colombia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala, roasted fresh. Besides Geisha, common coffee varieties include Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, SL28, SL34, Pacamara, and Castillo.
What is Geisha Coffee?
Geisha coffee, or Gesha coffee, is a popular and expensive Coffea arabica variety with long and slender beans and a unique flavor. It has delicate, complex, and aromatic flavors, often floral and tea-like, with jasmine, bergamot, apricot, and peach notes. Geisha coffee beans are the seeds of the Coffea arabica var. Geisha plant, processed, roasted, and ground to make coffee. Geisha coffee variety grows in Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, and Ethiopia.
Geisha coffee gained recognition after its 2004 rediscovery at Hacienda La Esmeralda in Panama. The Peterson family isolated Geisha beans and entered them in the prestigious "Best of Panama" competition, where they won. This victory led to a surge in demand and global popularity for Geisha coffee.
The terms "geisha coffee," "100% Panama geisha coffee," "geisha blend coffee," and "geisha Kona coffee" have distinct meanings despite being used interchangeably. Panama Geisha coffee is a premium, single-origin coffee grown exclusively in Panama. Geisha blend coffee mixes Geisha beans with other varieties. Geisha Kona coffee combines the floral characteristics of Geisha beans with the smooth, rich profile of Kona-grown coffee, available as a blend or single origin.
Where is Geisha Coffee From?
Geisha coffee originated in Ethiopia's Gori Gesha forest in the Bench Maji zone. This high-elevation region, ranging from 1,900 to 2,000 meters, provides a biodiverse environment ideal for coffee cultivation. Gesha coffee was first identified in the 1930s and collected by British expeditions and brought to Tanzania. In the 1950s, it reached Costa Rica and later spread to other coffee regions. By the 1960s, Geisha coffee was distributed throughout Panama. The name "Geisha coffee" comes from the Afro-Asiatic Southwest Semitic language, referring to the "Gesha" region in southwestern Ethiopia. Both spellings are correct: "Geisha" is used in Latin America, while "Gesha" is preferred in Ethiopia.
What Makes Geisha Coffee Special?
Geisha coffee is special due to its unique flavor, meticulous production, limited cultivation, and high demand. It has a smooth taste with delicate floral notes influenced by terroir, processing, and roast level. Geisha coffee grows above 1,500 meters in rich volcanic soil. The plants have elongated leaves and beans. This variety has low production and thrives in cold climates between 17°C and 25.3°C. The thin leaf system reduces photosynthesis efficiency, while the weak root system complicates cultivation. Geisha coffee cherries are only hand-picked when ripe.
Despite these challenges to growth, Geisha coffee is in high demand. It has made it a preferred choice in global coffee competitions. For example, in 2018, Elida Geisha coffee from Lamastus Family Estates, of which only 100 pounds were auctioned, set a record, selling for $803 USD per pound at the Best of Panama (BoP) auction. Klatch Coffee Roasters bought 10 pounds of the exclusive Elida Geisha 803 coffee and sold it in select California locations for $75 USD per cup. Panamanian Geisha coffee became a symbol of innovation and excellence in specialty coffee. The Specialty Coffee Association recognizes Geisha as a high-quality coffee, consistently scoring 90 or higher.
What is the Price for Geisha Coffee?
The price of Geisha coffee varies based on origin, quality, and processing method. The average price for green (unroasted) Geisha coffee beans from Colombia, Guatemala, or Costa Rica typically falls within $25–50 USD per pound. Gesha 1931, produced by Gesha Village Coffee Estate in Ethiopia’s West Omo Zone, costs $84.00 per kilogram. High-end green Geisha coffee beans from Panama costs between $100 and $600 USD per pound. Award-winning green Geisha microlots can exceed $1,000 USD per pound at auctions.
In 2019, Elida Geisha Natural sold for $1,029 USD per pound at the BoP auction, marking the first time Geisha coffee surpassed $1,000 USD per pound. In 2024, a honey-processed Geisha from Elida Aguacatillo set a new record auction price of $13,518 USD per kilogram, surpassing the previous record of $10,005 USD per kilogram for the most expensive Geisha coffee, held by Carmen Estate from Panama.
The price of roasted Geisha coffee can be quite expensive. For example, authentic Esmeralda Special Washed Geisha Microlot from Hacienda La Esmeralda sells for $180 USD per 12 ounces. Takesi Geisha coffee, produced by the Iturralde family at Finca Takesi in Bolivia’s Yanacachi Region, costs $44 USD for 4.2 ounces. Geisha 90 coffee from Ninety Plus Gesha Estates in Panama costs $35 USD for 100 grams. Carmen Geisha coffee from the Carmen Estate in the Paso Ancho region of Panama ranges from $39 to $55 USD for a 3.53oz (100g) bag. An 8-ounce (227g) bag of Panama Auromar Geisha coffee from Auromar Coffee Estate in the Chiriqui Highlands of Panama costs between $49 and $89 USD.
The price of an 8-ounce cup of Geisha coffee in the U.S. specialty coffee shops ranges from $5 to $15, depending on location, quality, and preparation. Some high-end places charge more, especially for coffee from top farms. For instance, a cup of rare Black Jaguar Geisha coffee from Panama's Hartmann Estate (2022 Best of Panama winner) cost $150 USD at Proud Mary Coffee in Austin and $200 AUD in Melbourne. This table compares Geisha coffee prices across cafes and regions, including special releases. Prices are in local currency with approximate USD equivalents, but availability varies.
| Location | City | Price |
|---|---|---|
| United States (Blue Bottle Coffee) | NYC, LA, SF | $12–$20 USD |
| United States (Intelligentsia Coffee) | Chicago, LA | $10–$18 USD |
| United States (Sey Coffee) | Brooklyn, NY | $15–$25 USD |
| Europe (The Barn) | Berlin | €12–€20 EUR (~$13–$22 USD) |
| Europe (Tim Wendelboe) | Oslo | 150–200 NOK (~$14–$19 USD) |
| Europe (Workshop Coffee) | London | £10–£18 GBP (~$13–$23 USD) |
| Asia (% Arabica) | Kyoto | ¥2,000–¥3,500 JPY (~$14–$25 USD) |
| Asia (Mel Coffee Roasters) | Osaka | ¥1,800–¥3,000 JPY (~$13–$22 USD) |
| Asia (Nylon Coffee Roasters) | Singapore | SGD 18–25 (~$13–$18 USD) |
| Australia (Proud Mary) | Melbourne | AUD 20–35 (~$13–$23 USD) |
| Australia (Single O) | Sydney | AUD 18–30 (~$12–$20 USD) |
| Latin America (Café Unido) | Panama City | $8–$15 USD |
| Latin America (Origami Coffee Lab) | Bogotá | COP 25,000–40,000 (~$6–$10 USD) |
Why is Geisha Coffee So Expensive?
Geisha coffee is expensive due to its rarity, difficult cultivation, labor-intensive farming, exceptional flavor, strong demand, and premium auction prices. Geisha plants take up to five years to produce, and each plant yields very little coffee. Each plant produces less than half the beans of Catuai due to a weak root system limiting water and energy intake. They require very high elevations for optimal growth. Harvesting and processing require an extra labor-intensive cycle not needed for other varietals. Farmers work hard to produce coffee, roasters pay high prices, and marketing-driven retail costs push prices even higher.
Is Geisha Coffee Worth It?
Whether Geisha coffee is "worth it" depends on your priorities and perspective. Geisha coffee is worth trying for those who enjoy experimenting with microlot coffees and pour-over brewing, which highlights its complex and delicate flavor. However, it is not ideal for espresso, and may be wasteful during the dialing-in process. Furthermore, at $50 or more for a 4-ounce bag, Geisha coffee is not worth the price for milk-based drinks because the delicate floral and jasmine flavors will be lost.
The same goes for farmers and producers. Geisha production is growing in Latin America, including Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, and El Salvador. The average FOB price for green specialty coffee in 2020 was $2.60 per pound, while El Injerto Geisha from Finca El Injerto in Guatemala was sold at almost 20 times that price, at $41 per pound. In 2023, Janson Panama Geisha Lot 167 (Janson Family Coffee, Panama) sold for $110 per kilogram ($49.89 per pound). In 2023, 16 of the top 28 Colombian Cup of Excellence coffees were Geishas.
However, farmers chasing the dramatic highs (and profits) of Geisha coffee may find it elusive, as producing award-winning lot is difficult. Geisha requires double the fertilizer and space of other varieties, resulting in lower yield. This extra care increases costs. Furthermore, even with good farming, not all beans get top prices, and too much supply can happen because of low demand.
How to Brew Geisha Coffee?
To brew Geisha coffee, use pour-over drippers like the Hario V60, Kalita Wave, or Origami, as well as the AeroPress, as these best preserve the delicate flavor notes of the beans. To make the Geisha coffee, follow the six-step recipe below.
- Measure and Grind: Use 20g of coffee and grind it to a medium-coarse consistency.
- Heat Water: Heat water to 195-205°F (90-96°C).
- Bloom: Pour 50g of water over the grounds and let it bloom for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour in Stages: Gradually add water in slow circular motions until reaching 300-350g total.
- Steep and Drain: Allow the water to drain completely through the filter.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour into a cup and enjoy the delicate flavors.
What Does Geisha Coffee Taste Like?
Geisha coffee has a complex, exquisite flavor, with floral notes like jasmine and tropical flowers, creating a soothing, aromatic experience. Fruity notes include tropical fruits (mango, peach, pineapple) and red berries, adding vibrant sweetness. Geisha coffee has a tea-like quality, often described as light-bodied with a clean, elegant finish like green or oolong tea. Its bright, balanced acidity, similar to crisp white wine, enhances the taste.
The specific flavor profile of Geisha coffee varies by growing region. For example, Hawaiian Kona Geisha Champagne Natural is richly aromatic and complexly sweet, with passionfruit, cocoa nib, pomelo, wild honey, and hazelnut butter notes. Lamastus Geisha coffee from Panama is elegant, delicate, and complex, with bergamot, cocoa nib, apricot, almond, and star jasmine notes. Gesha Village 1931 Anaerobic Honey coffee from Ethiopia is gently spiced and floral with cantaloupe, narcissus, nutmeg, cocoa nib, and amber notes. Guatemala Geisha coffee Finca Santa Elisa Estate in the Acatenango region offers high-toned, sweet-tart, cocoa flavors.
What is the Best Gesha Coffee?
The best Geisha coffee is the one that scores above 90 on the Specialty Coffee Association scale based on its attributes such as aroma, flavor, aftertaste, acidity, body, balance, and more. Ideally, the best Geisha coffee is shade-grown, contributing to a more complex flavor and supporting biodiversity. It can be processed using the wet or honey method. A light roast is preferred for geisha coffee to preserve its delicate floral and fruity notes. Panamanian Geisha is often considered the world's best coffee due to high-altitude volcanic soil, unique microclimates, and consistent quality reflected in high cup scores. These coffees often have floral aromas like jasmine and bergamot, bright acidity, and delicate sweetness.
Where to Buy Geisha Specialty Coffee?
You can buy Geisha specialty coffee online from a number of specialty coffee roasters like Hayman Coffee, Savage Coffee, or Klatch Coffee. Costco, Kirkland, Amazon, and Trade Coffee offer more affordable Panama Geisha coffee beans. To buy geisha coffee directly from farms, check Hacienda La Esmeralda and Finca Lerida. At Colipse Coffee, we don't currently offer Geisha, though we do specialize in other equally exceptional single-origin coffees. Colipse Coffee offers a range of specialty coffees for sale, including single-origin coffees from Costa Rica, Colombia, and Ethiopia. Each is roasted fresh and shipped directly to you. For the best flavor, buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing.
What other Expensive Coffee is there Besides Geisha?
Besides Geisha, other expensive coffee beans include Black Ivory Coffee, made from Thai Arabica beans digested by elephants, Kopi Luwak, sourced from civet-digested beans, and Hacienda La Esmeralda, a rare Panamanian variety. St. Helena Coffee, grown on a remote island, and Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, known for its smooth flavor, are also premium options.
What is the Difference between Geisha Coffee and Kopi Luwak?
The main difference between Geisha coffee and Kopi Luwak is their production process and flavor profile. Geisha coffee, known for its floral and fruity notes, originates from Ethiopia but is famously grown in Panama. Kopi Luwak, produced through civet digestion, has a smoother, earthy taste due to fermentation.
What Coffee Varietals are there Besides Geisha?
Besides Geisha, common coffee varieties include Bourbon, Typica, Caturra, SL28, SL34, Pacamara, and Castillo. Bourbon and Typica are basic Arabica varieties. SL28 and SL34 resist drought. Pacamara has large beans, and Castillo resists disease.