Gesha
Washed
Franceschi, Lot 232

Tastes Like: Navel Orange, Honeysuckles, White Tea

Origin: Volcan, Chiriqui, Panama

Variety: Geisha

Producer: Carlos Franceschi and Jean Paul Langenstein

Elevation: 1,600 - 1,800 masl

Process:  Washed

Farm and Producer

The Franceschi name has long been tied to the volcanic soils of Chiriquí. Carlos Aguilera Franceschi is the grandson of Efrain Franceschi, the visionary who founded Carmen Estate in the 1960s. Under the family’s stewardship, Carmen Estate grew into one of Panama’s most acclaimed farms, producing Geisha lots that helped define the country’s reputation on the global stage. Carlos himself spent decades guiding Carmen Estate to international renown, with the farm’s coffees winning at auctions like Best of Panama and setting benchmarks for Panamanian quality.

In recent years, however, the family chose to sell Carmen Estate to a large overseas buyer. For Carlos, this was not an ending, but a chance to start again on his own terms. Together with his friend and business partner Jean Paul Langenstein, he created Franceschi Coffee—a project rooted in Volcán. Instead of managing a massive estate, Carlos and Jean Paul turned their focus toward smaller, carefully managed plots of land where only Geisha is cultivated. They also collaborate with neighboring farmers, purchasing select Geisha cherries and processing them with meticulous attention.

Variety

Gesha, also spelled Geisha, is an Arabica variety with Ethiopian origins. It is valued for high cup-quality potential and floral aromatics, especially under suitable high-elevation growing conditions. Its expression also depends on cultivation, processing, and roasting.

Processing

This washed Geisha is a perfect expression of that philosophy. The classic processing method highlights clarity and brightness, allowing the variety’s natural elegance to shine. Expect a bouquet of florals—honeysuckle and orange blossom—with delicate citrus tones reminiscent of navel orange and clementine cream. A tea-like body rounds out the cup, making it both refined and approachable.