Gesha vs Geisha: The myth of the coffee's name

by Rune Åldstedt

In the world of coffee, there is a myriad of different species and varieties, each with its unique flavor and history. But among them all, one stands out: Geisha (or Gesha). This rare coffee species has taken the world by storm, known for its complex flavor profile and sky-high prices.

But why is it actually called Geisha? And what makes it so special? In this blog post, we will delve into the fascinating history of Geisha coffee and answer the question of whether it is correct to call it "Geisha" or "Gesha". Hint: Neither is actually wrong or right.

Geisha or Gesha?

Many might wonder why this coffee species is called "Geisha". It is actually a misnomer. The correct name is, in a way, "Gesha", which comes from the name of the village/area where the coffee species was originally discovered. But probably due to a misspelling in an old report, the name "Geisha" has stuck. At least, that's how the story goes.

A legendary coffee like Geisha, of course, also has legends, and for Geisha, it starts with the name itself. Many still stubbornly claim that it was named after Mount Geisha in the Gesha area. Without anyone having found this mountain yet, it is most likely a misspelling.

It is understandable that errors could easily have occurred during the coffee's journey across the ocean to Central America over a hundred years ago. Or in the 70 years it lived its life as an unknown and little-used coffee species there until 2004. Read more about this in our blog post on the history of Geisha.

We choose to call the coffee what the farmer themselves refers to it as, and most people in South and Central America call it Geisha, while in Ethiopia, they tend to call their coffee Gesha. No one is really wrong, and the confusion surrounding the name only makes the coffee even more special.

No matter what you call it, there is no doubt that Geisha coffee is a unique and special experience. For coffee lovers who want to taste the best of the best, Geisha coffee is a must-try.

Buy Geisha coffee at Kaffa.no

In our online store, we offer high-quality Geisha coffee from some of the best coffee farmers in the world. We roast our coffee gently to preserve its unique flavors and aromas, and we therefore only offer it as whole beans.

Quality coffee for every taste

In addition to Geisha coffee, we offer a wide selection of other coffee species and coffee products. We have something for every taste, whether you are looking for a strong espresso, a rich filter coffee, or an aromatic cup of tea.

We are proud to offer high-quality coffee from all over the world. We roast our coffee to order to ensure the freshest taste possible, and we offer fast and affordable shipping.