Geisha Coffee: Four Things You Need to Know

As a coffee enthusiast, you’ll no doubt find yourself compelled to dig a little deeper into the histories and backgrounds of the beans you love. After all, getting to know your favourite gourmet coffees on a slightly deeper level can add even more enjoyment of the experience.

One such coffee that has captured the imagination of coffee connoisseurs worldwide is Panama Geisha coffee. With its curious name and stellar reputation, Geisha coffee (aka Gesha coffee) has become synonymous with luxury and exclusivity.

But even having established such fame and popularity, there's still a great deal about Panama Geisha coffee beans that remains mysterious to most.  From its true origins to accusations of unfair pricing, it's time to shed light on a few longstanding misconceptions about Panama Geisha coffee.

1) Dispelling the "Geisha" Association

The name "Geisha" might bring to mind images of traditional Japanese culture, but the apparent connection between Geisha coffee and the Far East is completely coincidental. The term "Geisha" actually refers to the Ethiopian village where this coffee variety was first discovered.

It was in the early 20th century that this unique coffee was brought to Panama for cultivation. Panama was found to provide the perfect conditions to grow truly exquisite coffee, in this case from a species that was shipped in from Ethiopia. Hence, the name simply reflects the coffee's place of origin and has no historical or cultural ties to Japanese geisha culture.

2) The Truth about Geisha Coffee's Rarity

Geisha coffee has gained a well-deserved reputation for its rarity and exclusivity.  Far from being deliberately ‘held back’ in terms of export quantities to boost its desirability, the sparse availability of Geisha coffee is attributed to a combination of factors.

Firstly, the Geisha coffee plant is known for its low yield compared to other coffee varieties, which naturally limits the amount of coffee that can be produced from each plant. Additionally, Geisha coffee requires specific growing conditions to flourish, including high altitudes and carefully managed microclimates. As a result, it is exclusively cultivated in select regions, making it difficult to produce more than modest quantities annually.

3) Geisha Coffee's Health Benefits

Beyond its remarkable taste, Geisha coffee has also been associated with potential health benefits. Coffee is, among other things, known for its antioxidant content and potential to reduce the risk of various diseases. But due to its unique cultivation environment and meticulous processing, Geisha coffee is believed to offer an elevated antioxidant profile compared to other coffee varieties.

These antioxidants play a role in combating oxidative stress and promoting overall well-being.  Even so, it's important to note that while Geisha coffee may offer certain health benefits, sensible moderation is key – irrespective of the types of having to products you consume.

4) The Reality of Geisha Coffee Prices

Rounding off, one of the most widely debated aspects of Geisha coffee is its high price tag. Questions are asked as to why it costs so much, whether it justifies its high price, if its producers artificially inflate their prices simply due to its reputation and so on.  In reality, the high price of Gesha coffee is both justifiable and easy to explain.

Limited production due to low yields and specific growing requirements directly impacts its availability. The meticulous care and attention that goes into cultivating, harvesting and processing Geisha coffee also contribute to the elevated costs. Additionally, demand for Geisha coffee from enthusiasts and specialty coffee shops further drives up its price, given how the simply is not enough to go around each year.

You can now order freshly roasted 100% Panama Geisha coffee from Hayman’s online store. It is available in different size options, from a 100g (3.5oz) to a 680g (24oz) box. You can also choose different formats, as our Panama Geisha is available as whole bean, ground, coffee capsules compatible with Nespresso®* machines, and coffee pods compatible with Keurig K Cup coffee maker (incl. Keurig 2.0 models)** – click here to order your Gesha coffee now, we offer free worldwide shipping!

 

* Nespresso® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., unrelated to Hayman ®. Our espresso pods are not created or sold by Nespresso®. 

** Keurig and K-Cup are registered trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. unrelated to Hayman®. Our pods are not created or sold by Keurig®.