Geisha coffee is a very famous coffee from this region. Its main claim to fame is for being the most expensive coffee to sell at auction for around $300 a pound. Geisha is actually a variety of coffee plant and not all Geisha is made the same, it depends upon the altitude and particular growing conditions. The Geisha that has made a reputation for Boquete comes from Cafe Esmeralda, although there are others now close in quality. A good Geisha coffee has notes of gardenia and flowers, it has a very round smooth taste. It is quite special. Some say it is almost like tea.
This is Ed's last day in Panama before he leaves for year volunteering in a hospital in coffee lands far away - Ethiopia. To celebrate his last day with us we decided to brew up Gonzalo's coffee and do a tasting.
Previously, when I have drunk the Geisha coffee at home I have lost something of the flavor that I have picked up in formal coffee tastings. Ed and I thought we would explore this further and taste the coffee in a variety of ways we might serve it at home.
Verdict: This for me is a lovely coffee, although I am afraid that this particular batch of Geisha is not the best I have tasted, not really floral not so many lighter notes. Still it is good, not the coffee I should be drinking in the morning to get me out hiking the Mountain in a mug with milk. That is a complete waste of this coffee. Rather, this coffee is best enjoyed black in my large bone china tea cups.