Flavour journey: rare beans from Panama arrive to delight coffee connoisseurs

One of the world’s most exclusive coffees has found its way from Panama to the Sunshine Coast.

The team at Coolum-based Planet Organic has roasted two batches of Geisha coffee beans.

Production manager Mike Reilly said they were fortunate to get their hands on some of the rare beans.

There is only one small crop each year and beans are auctioned to suppliers for as much as $1000 per 400g.

“To have some here is quite special,” Mr Reilly said.

“We were looking for something different to enter our range of coffees, so we started a search.

“It was through good timing that one of our large suppliers had a very small quantity of it … and we secured it.

“Besides its rarity it is an exceptionally good coffee.

“Even people who are used to drinking good-quality coffee say there is a noticeable difference.”

“It’s got a huge flavour palate and it’s exceptionally smooth.

“There is a café in Melbourne selling it at over $100 per cup, so it is quality coffee.”

Planet Organic is selling it in a premium series of 200g bags, whole bean.

“People who know quality coffee know Geisha, so I think we’ll bring a few coffee lovers out,” Mr Reilly said.

They’re pricing it at $69.95 a bag.

“That seems like a very expensive little bag of coffee, but when you break that down to cups it’s still less than you pay when you go out for a coffee,” Mr Reilly said.

“It is expensive per bag but at the same time it’s worth it really.”

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Mr Reilly has roasted two batches, including 130 bags of Auromar and 130 bags of Finca Lerida.

“They’re both Panama Geishas but are slightly different blends,” he said.

“Auromar has jasmine notes at the start, with a sweet toffee, almost chocolate finish. You can also pick up notes of black tea.

“The Finka has notes of licorice and chocolate, with floral notes at the start.

“It’s a flavour journey really.”

Planet Organic has been at Coolum for about 14 years.

It has sold coffee for about five years and tea for much longer.

It is predominantly a beverage business, but also sells herbs and spices, cacao, carob and a botanic range for naturopaths.

The business has an online store but does not have a walk-in store.

You can buy the Geisha coffee at Planet Organic.