Disclosure: This is a sponsored review. As always though, all opinions are 100% my own.
Gesha (or Geisha) is a coffee variety that has become incredibly popular in the past 15 years and is known for its aromatic and floral cups. While some Geshas will sell for over $1000/pound (unroasted), there have been many enter the market the recently at much more affordable prices. I’ve had the opportunity to try a few of the more affordable options and have had mixed results. The good ones I’ve tried though have truly been something special. With that background, I was very excited when High Bank Coffee Roasters, a micro roaster located southwest of Grand Rapids, Michigan, shared they had a Colombian Gesha they wanted me to try.
Colombia Gabriel Muñoz Gesha is what High Bank refers to as “an ‘entry level’ Gesha, because this is the first harvest on Gabriel’s farm and the trees have not yet reached optimum maturity.”1 With that being the case and the price point at only $13 / 12oz, I didn’t set my expectations too high; I should have though because this coffee delivered in a big way.
The coffee begins with likely its strongest attribute as you’d expect in a Gesha; it was a wonderfully intoxicating and evolving aroma. The changes from before brew to bloom to mid-brew were astounding. At first I smelled a variety of floral notes with some slightly earthy undertones. At the bloom, the aroma changed to an intense apple sweetness. As the brew continued, the sweetness remained, but I began to smell tropical fruits like pineapple and papaya. The flavor notes I tasted consisted of gala apples, dragonfruit and a variety of floral undertones. The coffee had a silky smooth body that was light and tea-like, but seemed to become more lush and full as I continued to drink. The acidity was present, but muted and I wished it was a bit stronger. The coffee had a nice honeysuckle floral sweetness that carried through each sip, though was fairly mild. It was balanced, clean and worked incredibly well in both pour over and espresso, which created a wonderfully sweet and smooth shot.
The Bottom Line
Colombia Gabriel Muñoz Gesha is truly a special coffee. If it cost $50/bag, I’d say it might even be worth trying. At $13/bag, it is an absolute steal. While some of the attributes (acidity, aftertaste) fall just a bit short of what you’d expect in a top-tier Gesha, the complexity and evolving character of the aroma, flavor notes and body alone make this coffee incredibly special. If you’ve heard of Gesha coffees and have been looking for one to try, look no further. You won’t find a better value than Colombia Gabriel Muñoz Gesha from High Bank Coffee Roasters.
References
- https://www.highbankcoffeeroasters.com/shop/colombia-gabriel-muoz-gesha
