Geisha’s fame, in comparison to other popular coffees, is legitimate. Although Jamaica Blue Mountain, Kona and Kopi Luwak have all become exotic, high-priced coffees, it is not because they are good - it’s just clever marketing. As a variety, Geisha needs little marketing; the cup speaks for itself.
This is not to say that all Geishas are automatically amazing, but in the hands of a great producer with the right conditions, Geishas are expressive and explosive and easily recognizable.
The Hartmanns first planted their Geisha trees in 2004 at their Ojo de Agua farm, which is located on the upper slopes in Santa Clara, Panama. Ojo de Agua, named for the various water springs that are born within the farm, ranges in altitude from 1450m to 1550m. The conditions are beautiful for growing coffee.
The soil drains slowly, the topsoil is covered by friendly foliage from the surrounding trees, the coffee trees are properly spaced out to provide ample nutrients and create sustainable demands on the soil. The coffee plots are spaced out between various protected forest areas that the Hartmanns cherish and protect.
In the past decade, the five Hartmann siblings have each launched individual projects, in addition to the work they do as a collective at Finca Hartmann. Ratibor and Allan have Finca Guarumo; Ratibor has Mi Finquita; Alex and Kelly have consulting businesses and new farms in Los Pozos; and Aliss has Finca Momoto.