Panama Geisha is grown in the highlands of the Boquete region in the Chiriqui Province of western Panama. The particular coffee that won these awards was Esmerelda Special grown by the farm Hacienda La Esmerelda where elevations are from 1450 to 1700 meters above sea level (qualifying as Strictly Hard Bean (SHB)) on the slopes of Volcan Baru.

Geisha coffee exhibits a subdued yet intense floral and jasmine-like aroma and a distinct though delicate acidity, balanced and bright with shimmers of white wine and notes of berries, mango, papaya, and mandarin oranges. The long aftertaste/finish provides distinct bergamot-like notes.

Coffee growing regions are regions with a combination of microclimates in a very specific area, Volcan Baru, which is the tallest mountain in Panama, The coffee cherries actually trace their roots to Ethiopia, but the process of growing the cherries was brought to perfection in Panama.

The main reason the Geisha coffee is so special is actually the plant itself. The variation of the regular coffee cherry which was originally from Ethiopia provides special characteristics that sets the coffee apart. Aside from that, the process of drying and roasting the beans is also unique to Geisha coffee.

All the beans are hand-picked on the Volcan Baru mountain by locals. They are then dried for a bit more than a week (8 days, to be specific) or until the beans reach the ideal humidity.

The taste of the coffee is considered to be top-quality. In fact, most coffees don’t even come close when it comes to the taste. Experts have described the coffee to have a flavor that is unmatched by any other coffee in the world. The flavor is described to be almost tea-like, and fruity, with a smooth and silky texture.

The price of the coffee is probably the most popular characteristic of Geisha coffee, which is a shame considering the incredibly history, flavor profile, and process behind the coffee. But what is the actual reason Geisha coffee is so expensive?

Firstly, growing the coffee is already a difficult process. The coffee cherries need very specific environmental conditions for the plants to grow properly.

This is why they are primarily grown in Panama’s highest mountain, as conditions there are perfect for Geisha coffee. However, the main reason the coffee has gotten so expensive has to be the great demand for it.

Only a certain amount of coffee can be grown every year, and that amount is far from enough considering how many people want to get their hands on the coffee.

Demand is so high that coffee shops can’t just go to a supplier and get a bag of beans for themselves, coffee shops actually have to place a bid for even a chance to get their hands on the coffee, which has led to intense competition and a very high price tag.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should drink Geisha every morning, but rewarding yourself with a cup of Geisha from time to time would certainly be a beautiful ritual.