Panama Geisha Coffee & Chocolate Tasting Tour: An Honest Review

If you ask me, any trip to Panama should really involve indulging in the country’s treasure: Geisha coffee. If you haven’t heard of it, Panama Geisha is pretty much legendary among java aficionados for its distinct flavor profile and, if we’re being honest, kinda high price tag. So, while I was in Boquete, the valley where this coffee is produced, I decided to jump into a Geisha coffee and chocolate tasting tour. This is my take on if this tour is good. And of course, that’s after all the caffeine has made it through my system.

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Booking and First Impressions

The tour was easy enough to book. I found a bunch of different options, both online and once I got to Boquete. I opted for a smaller, group one. What I found were promising to offer a more cozy feel. The morning of, I met the tour outside of my accommodation. From there we jumped in to a minivan to where the experience was happening. The drive up into the mountains gave really some scenic views, too, that’s a very strong plus point. I could tell right then it would definitely make a pretty awesome day, you know?

Coffee Farm Tour

Alright, so, when we got to the farm, the first thing that hit me was actually how green everything looked. They were sprawling coffee plants sitting alongside even taller trees. That’s actually on purpose! Our guide then began talking a bit about Geisha coffee’s backstory. He explained that this particular variety originally came from Ethiopia and was introduced to Panama. It grew amazingly well in this volcanic soil. We got to peep the whole process. From the careful picking of those bright coffee cherries, to drying the coffee out on elevated beds, to that final roasting that brings out the flavor. What’s really intriguing is seeing the passion behind it all.

Coffee Tasting: Geisha Unveiled

Then the big moment arrived! Tasting the Geisha. Now, I’ve had my share of coffee. Let me tell you, I have really drunk my fair share! Still, Geisha coffee? Geisha coffee is just different. What I mean, it’s like it is not like your standard bitter cup. Nope, Geisha offers a floral scent that kind of danced in the air. Then it comes into some notes of citrus. Its almost like bergamot with just a little bit of honey. Each sip was just silky. This is just the opposite of coffee that bites back! It just made sense that something with that much work that’s been put into making this coffee is one of the pricier brews out there. Seriously, it’s not every day that coffee feels like such a luxury, right?

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Chocolate Pairing: A Sweet Symphony

Following that, they offered some chocolate, and that pairing surprised me, for sure! Now, the chocolate, it’s been locally made, and that’s the right move for me, in all honesty. It was explained, so, that high-quality chocolate with just the right cacao percentage will interact with coffee, and vice-versa, and boost the flavors! So, as I paired a piece of dark chocolate with a lighter roast, its flavor deepened. Now, on the opposite, a milk chocolate was also offered to test along a medium roast. And that sweetness just danced. All together that elevated that comforting vibe, which is really lovely.

The Geisha Legacy

Before we headed off, the tour guide talked to all of us a bit more on Panama’s devotion and background on producing high-quality coffee. As I understand it, they’re focused on some environmental methods which support some sustainable agriculture to improve crop quality. In other words, you can really enjoy an awesome cup of coffee without it needing to be at the detriment of others.