This Ethiopian Gesha Village FR11 from the Amsterdam-based roastery Friedhats is a good example of why Gesha is so highly prized among specialty coffee lovers. Jasmine, bergamot, and apricot come together here to create a very clean, fragrant, and elegant profile with a subtle sweetness and fresh acidity. Every note has its place in the cup, and nothing pushes itself to the forefront unnecessarily.
The coffee comes from the legendary Gesha Village Coffee Estate in western Ethiopia, founded by Rachel Samuel, Adam Overton, and Willem Boot. The farm is located in the West Omo region, just a few kilometers from the Gori Gesha forest, home to the original wild coffee trees associated with the history of the Gesha variety. This lot consists of Gesha 1931, a selection created specifically from seeds collected in Gori Gesha. The plants were selected based on appearance, bean size, and flavor profile to most closely resemble the famous Panamanian Geisha. The specific lot, GVA 11, comes from the Surma section of the farm, where the coffee grows at an elevation of 1,909–2,063 meters above sea level.
The coffee was processed using the natural method, meaning the cherries dry whole, along with their pulp. At Gesha Village, the natural process involves drying the cherries on elevated African beds in the sun, with great emphasis placed on cleanliness and fermentation control. This allows the coffee to develop greater sweetness and fruitiness without overpowering the more delicate floral notes. And this is where it works beautifully: the natural process adds apricot-like sweetness and body, yet the jasmine and bergamot remain distinct and elegant.
- Producers: Rachel Samuel, Adam Overton, and Willem Boot
- Farm: Gesha Village Coffee Estate
- Farm Block: Surma
- Lot: GVA 11 – Farm Reserve
- Elevation: 1,909–2,063 m above sea level