Is Counterfeit Geisha Coffee Still in Circulation?

Where there is a rare and exclusive commodity that carries a high price, it will inevitably find its way onto the radars of counterfeiters. Gourmet coffee has proved no exception to the rule, with many different types of coffees having been ‘copied’ or fraudulently marketed over the years.

One example of which is Panama Geisha coffee beans (aka Gesha coffee) – one of the most exclusive commodities on the premium coffee market. There have been instances of fake Panama Geisha coffee being sold privately and by some commercial retailers alike.  Additionally, some coffee growers have been known to falsely label their coffee as "Geisha coffee" in order to take advantage of the high prices commanded by this rare and sought-after variety.

Unfortunately, by the time you realize you have paid good money for fake Panama Geisha coffee beans, there’s very little you can do about it.

How to Check Whether Your Panama Geisha Coffee Beans Are Real

This is why it is important to purchase coffee from reputable sources and to be aware of the specific characteristics of authentic Panama Gesha coffee beans (like its origin and flavor profile). Thankfully, it is comparatively simple to perform the basic checks needed to determine whether or not your Panama Geisha coffee beans are real.

Even if you are not a committed connoisseur, you should still be able to figure out whether you are looking at the real deal.

Here’s what you need to do:

1) Verify the origin: Panama Geisha coffee is mostly grown in the Boquete region of Panama. Make sure the coffee you're purchasing is from this specific region.

2) Check the flavor profile: Authentic Panama Geisha coffee is known for its distinct floral and fruity notes, with clean and bright acidity. If the coffee you're considering doesn't have these characteristics, it may not be genuine.

3) Look for certifications: Some reputable organizations certify the authenticity of Panama Geisha coffee. Look for certifications from organisations such as the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) or the Specialty Coffee Association of Panama (SCAP).

4) Purchase from reputable sources: Buying from reputable coffee roasters or sellers can ensure that the coffee you're purchasing is authentic.

5) Ask for a sample: Some coffee roasters or sellers may offer a sample of the coffee before you purchase a larger quantity if you were planning to place a bulk order. This gives you the opportunity to taste the coffee and determine if it's authentic.

Last up, you can also rest assured that any Panama Geisha coffee beans you come across that are listed at a suspiciously low price are fake. There are no such things as cheap Panama Geisha coffee beans, and nor will there ever be.

Geisha coffee has always been a naturally high-priced commodity and is only likely to continue increasing in price as global demand grows.

For more information on any of the above or to discuss any of our gourmet coffee products in more detail, contact a member of the team at Hayman Coffee today.

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 Gesha coffee is available as green coffee beans (i.e. unroasted coffee beans / raw coffee beans for home roasting with your coffee roaster), roasted whole bean coffee, ground coffee, 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®.