Fake Geisha

Fake Geisha

Challenging the Cult of Purity

What if the most sought-after coffee variety in the world — Geisha — was never really pure to begin with?

In collaboration with Advance.Coffee — a non-profit organization supporting coffee research and innovation — we are launching a roasted coffee series that questions the mythology of purity in specialty coffee.

The Fake Geisha project draws on cutting-edge genetic analysis to reveal that many coffees sold as "Geisha" are, in fact, hybrids — blends of Geisha with other varieties. Rather than treating this as a scandal, we celebrate it. These hybrids often outperform their "pure" counterparts in the cup.

Lot 001

Our first release is a washed coffee from a single producer in Central America, sold to us as Geisha. Genetic fingerprinting revealed it to be a Geisha × Ethiopian Landrace hybrid — a beautiful accident of nature.

In the cup: jasmine, bergamot, white peach, and a silky body that lingers. It scored 88+ on the SCA scale and was roasted for espresso at our facility.

"The idea that genetic purity equals quality is a myth. Some of the best cups we've ever tasted came from accidental crosses."
— Advance.Coffee Research Team

Because purity is overrated.

Pre-order via email: julia@sapere.coffee

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