Specialty coffee Guatemala Isabel Herrarte Cusha Geisha

Species: 100% Arabica Variety: Geisha Process: Traditional Washed – Fermented Fermentation: Aerobic Altitude: Not specified by the supplier Screen Size: 15/18 Region: Nuevo Oriente, Guatemala Producer: Isabel Herrarte Farm: El Retiro Category: Specialty Coffee

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Region Guatemala

Origin & Production – Guatemala Cusha, El Retiro Farm

Guatemala Cusha is an exceptional specialty coffee from the Nuevo Oriente region of Guatemala, produced by Isabel Herrarte at El Retiro Farm.

This coffee belongs to Mare Terra Coffee's Wild collection, a selection of specialty coffees that celebrates the cultural heritage, traditions and distinctive identities of coffee-producing communities.

Produced from the prestigious Geisha variety, Cusha offers an elegant sensory experience characterised by floral aromas, delicate sweetness and refined complexity.

The coffee cherries are selectively hand-picked between January and March, allowing the producer to choose cherries at an appropriate stage of ripeness.

After harvesting, the cherries undergo a traditional washed process with aerobic fermentation, helping develop the coffee's clarity and distinctive floral characteristics.

The Nuevo Oriente region is known for its mountainous landscape and established coffee-growing traditions. Its growing environment provides conditions that can support the production of high-quality Arabica coffees.

At El Retiro Farm, the combination of the Geisha variety, selective harvesting and traditional washed processing produces a coffee with a distinctive profile.

The result is a refined cup featuring jasmine, apricot, honey, walnut and green tea, highlighting the floral character associated with Geisha coffees.

Guatemala Cusha represents the elegance of the Geisha variety, expressed through careful cultivation and traditional washed processing.

The supplier identifies Isabel Herrarte and El Retiro Farm but does not publish further biographical details or the farm's altitude on this product page.

Processing Method – Traditional Washed with Aerobic Fermentation

One of the defining characteristics of Guatemala Cusha is its traditional washed processing method, which includes aerobic fermentation.

Unlike natural processing, where coffee cherries are dried with their fruit intact, washed processing removes the outer fruit before the beans are washed and dried.

This approach is commonly associated with greater flavour clarity, allowing the intrinsic characteristics of the coffee variety and growing environment to become more apparent.

According to Mare Terra Coffee, the process involves six main stages:

1. Cherry reception: Freshly harvested coffee cherries are received for processing.

2. Pulping: The outer skin and pulp are removed from the coffee cherries.

3. Aerobic fermentation: The coffee undergoes fermentation in the presence of oxygen, helping break down the remaining mucilage.

4. Washing: The beans are washed to remove fermentation residues and remaining mucilage.

5. Parchment sorting by density: The parchment coffee is sorted according to density to improve lot consistency.

6. Outdoor drying: The coffee is dried outdoors until it reaches an appropriate moisture level for storage and further processing.

The aerobic fermentation stage plays an important role in preparing the coffee for washing and can also influence its final sensory characteristics.

For Guatemala Cusha, traditional washed processing helps showcase the floral elegance of jasmine, the fruit sweetness of apricot and honey, and the delicate herbal character of green tea.

The resulting cup is intended to be clean and expressive, allowing the distinctive qualities of the Geisha variety to take centre stage.

The supplier does not specify the fermentation duration or detailed drying parameters for this particular lot.

About the Variety – Geisha

Geisha, also known as Gesha, is one of the most celebrated Arabica coffee varieties in the specialty coffee industry, recognised for its extraordinary aromatic complexity and distinctive floral characteristics.

Originally associated with Ethiopia, the variety later spread to Central America, where it gained international recognition for its exceptional cup quality.

Geisha is particularly appreciated for its ability to develop jasmine-like aromas, delicate fruit notes, elegant sweetness and vibrant acidity.

When cultivated under suitable conditions and processed carefully, the variety can produce an exceptionally refined sensory experience.

In Guatemala Cusha, the Geisha variety provides the foundation for a distinctive floral profile, while traditional washed processing helps preserve its clarity and delicate aromatic characteristics.

The combination creates a coffee featuring jasmine, apricot, honey and green tea, complemented by subtle walnut notes.

Unlike coffees with predominantly chocolate or caramel characteristics, Geisha offers a more delicate and aromatic experience, making it particularly attractive to enthusiasts seeking floral complexity.

Why Choose This Coffee?

Guatemala Cusha is an excellent choice for specialty coffee enthusiasts looking for an elegant, floral and aromatic coffee with delicate sweetness.

Produced by Isabel Herrarte at El Retiro Farm, this coffee combines the distinctive characteristics of the Geisha variety with traditional washed processing and aerobic fermentation.

Its sensory profile reveals jasmine, apricot and honey, complemented by subtle notes of green tea and walnut.

The floral aromas of jasmine provide an elegant opening, while apricot contributes a pleasant fruity character. Honey adds a sense of sweetness, balanced by the delicate herbal qualities of green tea.

With an SCA score of 88.00 points, this coffee belongs to the Excellence (86–89) category within the Martines quality classification system.

Its aromatic complexity makes it particularly suitable for filter brewing, where the floral and fruit characteristics can develop clearly and distinctly.

For Martines, a carefully developed Light roast is recommended to highlight the coffee's delicate floral character, sweetness and flavour clarity.

The elegance of Geisha. The purity of washed processing. An exceptional floral coffee experience.