While these days Peruvian coffee has garnered more attention in the specialty coffee scene, it is still significantly less famous than neighbouring Latin American coffee producers. This is largely a matter of quantity rather than quality though. While Peru exports substantially smaller volumes of coffee than places like Colombia and Brazil, it nevertheless consistently produces top-quality specialty lots year in and year out.

This year we’ve been lucky enough to taste a number of delicious coffees from Peru, of which many have been roasted by our friends at Rosetta Roastery. Peruvian coffees can be really exciting, but what really has us jittering about this particular lot is its esteemed genetic heritage. This particular coffee is none other than a geisha. 

If you’ve been interested in specialty coffee for a while you’ll likely already know what a geisha coffee (or gesha, if you prefer) is, but for the uninitiated here’s the low-down. Geisha is a coveted coffee variety that was first grown in the Gori Gesha forest of Ethiopia (the birthplace of coffee as we know it). In the mid 1930s, geisha plants were transported to and successfully cultivated in several Central American countries. Though the plant itself is difficult to grow and produces limited yields compared to other coffee plants, geisha coffee is renowned in the world of specialty coffee for its complex, floral aromatics and delicate, tea-like body. 

This particular geisha hails from Jaén, a department found in Peru’s northern Cajamarca region bordered by both the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest. Cajamarca is one of Peru’s top coffee exporting departments, and produces a diverse range of flavourful coffees thanks to its varied microclimates and fertile volcanic soil. 

Roasted to (pre)order beginning 14 October

Please note that this is a very special one-off offer. Rosetta will be doing a special roast of this coffee on October 14, which we will begin dispatching from the 18th. This coffee is made available on a roast-to-order basis. You must get your order in while you can to have a chance to try this special lot.

Because this coffee is a pre-order, please understand that the dispatch will only begin from October 18th. If you combine this order with other items, please note that the entire order will only be dispatched after that date. If you need the other items sooner, we ask that you place a separate order.

Phaedon's tasting notes

I’m 90% certain that the first geisha I ever tasted was roasted by Rosetta. To be fair, it was many years and geishas ago, so I can’t be 100% certain, but I do know that many of the first geisha lots I tasted were sourced by my friends in Woodstock, at the very least. This one reminds me of those early tasting experiences because of the same, somewhat elusive complexity that intrigued me in those lots.

There is so much going on in this coffee, and yet, it’s hard to pin down specific notes as it’s ever-changing on the palate. There’s a distinct sweetness, a buttery silky body, some subtle nuttiness, perhaps a hint of chocolate, but also some hints of fruit, perhaps tropical, perhaps more like grapefruit. I couldn’t quite put my finger on the right descriptors, but I knew I was enjoying the drinking experience and challenge of engaging with those subtle characteristics.

I wouldn’t buy this coffee if you’re looking for something loud or brash, but as a more restrained and intriguing flavour journey, this coffee has a lot to offer, particularly in filtered immersion methods like the AeroPress or siphon.

Rosetta Roastery's notes

Style: Progressive
Flavour profile: Vibrant, orange blossom and honeybush, stone fruit

“The Peru highlands provide an intriguing backdrop for exploring the Geisha variety. As a washed processed coffee, the delicate stone fruit florality of this microlot is accompanied by a refined citrus vibrancy. Keeping the roast short, this coffee truly excels when enjoyed as a filter brew with a clean fruit-tea finish and complexities that emerge as the cup cools.”

Coffee details from Rosetta

“Since acquiring their farm ‘La Palestina’ in 1960, Juan and Soraida have made coffee production a family affair, with more than ten of their relatives contributing their efforts. This Peruvian grown Geisha is a delightful twist on a beloved classic, bridging the gap between the renowned qualities of the Geisha variety and the unique characteristics of Peru's terroir. The high elevations of Peru’s mountains contribute to the successful cultivation of this variety outside of Panama. The specific soil composition and microclimates in Peru impart distinct characteristics to the Geisha beans. Whether you're a long-time Geisha fan or new to this exceptional variety, [it] promises a memorable coffee experience.”

• Altitude: 1800 - 1900 masl
• Processing: Washed
• Variety: Geisha
• Region: San Jose del Alto, Jaen, Cajamarca
• Country: Peru
• Producers: Claudia Roberta de Oliveira of Sitio Cachoeirinha
• Harvest: 2023