Panama Geisha Coffee Beans: A Brief History

Panama Geisha coffee beans (aka Gesha coffee) remain one of the most exclusive commodities on the coffee scene, as demand continues to comfortably outpace supply. Perhaps the only thing that can make a fantastic cup of Geisha coffee even more enjoyable is knowing how far this exquisite commodity has travelled to make it into your cup. 

A Century in the Making

The history of Panama Geisha coffee is as rich and interesting as the product itself. Panama Geisha coffee beans first started to appear in the early 1900s when the first coffee trees were planted in the Chiriquí Province of Panama. It was here that the coffee was first cultivated, with the help of the local indigenous Ngöbe-Buglé people. The coffee was then processed for sale and export by the Panamanian government.

Panama Gesha coffee beans quickly gained a reputation for their unique and delicious flavor, which rapidly spread worldwide. In the early 2000s, it was recognized by the Specialty Coffee Association of Europe (SCAE) and gained a place in the top ten ranking of coffees. This recognition helped to further establish the coffee’s reputation as one of the best coffee beans in the world.

In 2004, Geisha coffee gained even more attention when it was entered into the Best of Panama Competition, a yearly event where the best coffees from the country are judged by a panel of experts. During this competition, the coffee scored a record-breaking 90.5 points out of 100, becoming the highest-rated coffee in the world that year. This success helped to further cement the coffee's place in the specialty coffee industry as a top-tier coffee.

The popularity of Panama Geisha coffee has continued to grow since 2004, with the coffee now being sold in specialty coffee shops around the world. In particular, this coffee is highly sought after in Japan, where it is commonly served in cafes and restaurants.

Gesha coffee beans are still grown in the Chiriquí Province of Panama today, using the same methods used by the Ngöbe-Buglé people centuries ago. The coffee is grown in high altitudes, which helps to give the coffee its unique flavor. The coffee is also processed using traditional methods, with the beans being wet or dry processed. This helps to ensure that the coffee retains its unique flavor and aroma.

Today, Panama Geisha coffee is highly sought after by coffee enthusiasts around the world. Geisha coffee is known for its unique flavor, with notes of bergamot, lemon, and orange blossom. It is also renowned for its smooth body and delicate acidity, making it a truly unique and special coffee.

A Sip to Savor

Panama Geisha coffee beans may be a costly commodity, but it is a small price to pay to experience something truly unique.  Every sip is a moment to savor and an opportunity to consider just how much hard work has gone into producing each bean.

Whether looking to spoil someone special or simply out for a well-deserved indulgence, you really cannot and will not go wrong with a bag of the very best Panama Gesha coffee beans.

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 Geisha 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®.