Guatemala Acatenango Washed Geisha

Jasmine Pearl Tea, Caramel Corn, Meyer Lemon, Persimmon

In the odd court of coffee cultivars, Geisha is king. Hailing from Ethiopia, the tree was brought to Central America for experimental planting in the mid-twentieth century. For fifty years, nothing much happened—but then Hacienda Esmeralda, that Panamanian Wonka factory, began snatching up Geisha-driven awards. From there, the cultivar’s popularity skyrocketed.

Today, a stroll through most Central American specialty farms will take you past at least a few rows of Geisha trees. You’ll spot them right away: they’re that kingly-looking bunch, the ones that stand just a touch taller, preen just a bit more than the rest. It’s quite possible they possess some plant-specific awareness of their own superiority, but the reality is that many of them produce underwhelming cups. It’s not the cultivar’s fault. It’s a simple problem of ubiquity. The more farms that plant it, the higher the odds the coffee will be mismanaged.

This particular Geisha, however, is one of the OGs. It comes from Acatenango, Guatemala—a volcanic region not far from the country’s historic Antigua area. You won’t catch snazzy process notes here—no funky-bunch frills or boozy fireworks. The washed processing is thoroughly transparent, acting as a frame for signature Geisha tones. It’s a pure expression of the cultivar. A real Geisha’s Geisha.

The first thing you’ll catch is the florals, chief among them jasmine. The note hits at an angle, recalling something more like Jasmine Pearl Tea than a strict blossom. You know when you brew jasmine pearl and let it steep a fraction of a second too long? That’s the flavor here: an intense mélange of florals and tea-like tannins. Damn, is it beautiful.

Then there are the sugars. Oh, the sugars. They’re like caramel corn—rich, round, and just the right amount of nostalgic. Does that caramelized bundle whisper of old-time toffee? Why, yes, it does.

On the fruit side, Meyer lemon infuses the cup with a bracing quality. And it benefits from an unexpected twist in the form of persimmon—a note you don’t often catch in coffee, but one worth its weight in gold when you do.

Bottom line: if you’re into intense, pristine Geisha tones, this is the cup for you. It’s currently available on the website, but supply is limited. Get it while it lasts.

• Region - Acatenango
• Process - Washed
• Variety - Geisha
• Altitude - 1,700 MASL

Best for:

• Pour Over
• Aeropress