Monarch Gesha

Blind Assessment: Floral and sweetly herbaceous with richly framed depth. Jasmine, spearmint, chocolate, watermelon, fine musk in aroma and cup. Deeply sweet structure with vibrant, juicy acidity; plush, syrupy mouthfeel. The resonant, flavor-saturated finish centers around chocolate and jasmine with musk undertones.

Notes: This coffee tied for the highest rating in a cupping of Hawai’i-grown coffees for Coffee Review’s May 2019 tasting report. Produced from trees of the rare Ethiopia-derived botanical variety Geisha (also Gesha) by Greg and Susy Stille at Monarch Coffee Estate. With its generally elongated beans and distinctive floral and crisp, often chocolaty cup, the Geisha/Gesha variety continues to distinguish itself as one of the world’s most unique coffees. This version was processed by the traditional wet or “washed” method, in which skin and fruit flesh are removed from the beans or seeds before they are dried. Founded in 1995 by Brooke McDonnell and Helen Russell, Equator Coffees operates retail stores in the bay area and provides coffee to hundreds of wholesale accounts. Equator has been a certified B-Corp since 2011, and its commitment to a sustainable, transparent approach spans more than two decades. Visit www.equatorcoffees.com or call 800-809-7687 for more information.

The Bottom Line: A deep, nuanced Gesha, excitingly original with high-toned herb notes, low-toned, almost candy-sweet fruit, and rich, spice-toned florals.