Good Land Organics – Geisha – Frinj Coffee

California grown coffee. Didn’t know that was a thing, did you? It wasn’t until fairly recently when Good Land Organics, home of FRINJ Coffee, became the first commercial coffee farm in the mainland United States. In addition to passion fruit, loquats, avocados and dragon fruit, “this Geisha draws nutrients from a complex bouquet of soil biology and ecological context”¹ and has become one of the most special coffees I’ve ever had the chance to try.

I was initially a bit apprehensive that the coffee would disappoint; the excitement of the context of the coffee would lead to a drinking experience that was underwhelming. Let’s just say that didn’t happen. The Good Land Organics Geisha is a beautifully clean, sweetly complex coffee that has been an absolute pleasure to brew.

The coffee began with a strong and sweet fragrance of floral, citrus and stone fruit. The flavor was incredibly complex with big floral notes paired with lime citrus. Dominate notes of honeysuckle pair with stone fruit and undertones of raisins and chocolate. The acidity is quite strong and slightly tart. The silky body is light and delicate, but still substantial. The coffee is incredibly sweet with a complex fruit & floral sweetness that reminded me of some of the region-specific honeys I’ve tried with fruit and floral accents within the honey. The end of every sip was accented by a lingering citrus sweetness that reminded me of lemonade.

The Bottom Line

Good Land Organics Geisha from FRINJ Coffee is an incredibly special coffee. Not only is the story behind it incredible, the coffee backs up the story with an incredibly sweet and complex profile that is an absolute joy to brew.