Sebastian Ramirez – Gesha White Honey

This exceptional Gesha White Honey, sourced by Onyx Coffee Lab and grown by Sebastian Ramirez on his El Placer estates in Colombia, is an extraordinary coffee bursting with flavor and complexity. Known for its delicate and floral nature, the Gesha variety takes center stage here, offering pronounced notes of jasmine and pineapple, with an herbal hint of eucalyptus and the sweet, slightly earthy touch of manuka honey. Each sip is a bright and nuanced experience, showcasing the intricate flavors that make Gesha the most sought-after coffee varietal in the world.

The Gesha variety, originally from Ethiopia, gained global fame after dominating the Best of Panama competition. It’s revered for its tea-like body, floral aromatics, and delicate complexity, making it a favorite in the high-end specialty coffee scene. Sebastian Ramirez has expertly cultivated this exceptional variety at an altitude of 1,800 meters in the Quindio region, where cooler temperatures and longer growing periods allow for more developed flavors and brighter acidity.

In addition to growing Gesha, Sebastian is known for his innovative approach to coffee processing. This coffee undergoes a white honey process, where the cherries are depulped but a small amount of fruit remains on the beans as they dry, giving the coffee a clean, crisp sweetness without heavy fermentation notes. The result is a beautifully balanced cup that lets the floral and fruity flavors of Gesha shine through.

At El Placer Farms, Sebastian also controls variables during fermentation, such as temperature and pH, and adds mosto—a glucose-rich liquid from previous anaerobic fermentations—to achieve consistent flavor profiles. His attention to detail and experimental techniques have helped him produce award-winning coffees that push the boundaries of flavor and texture in specialty coffee.

Roasting Process

This coffee is roasted in collaboration with Manhattan Coffee Roasters using a Typhoon Industrial roaster. Lance Hedrick and the Onyx EU team apply precise control over the temperature curves to ensure that the Gesha’s delicate flavors are perfectly highlighted in each batch. The rigorous dial-in process results in consistent, high-quality roasts that allow the coffee’s natural characteristics to shine.

Colombia’s Coffee Heritage

Colombia is celebrated for its rich history of coffee production, dating back to the early 19th century. The country’s diverse microclimates and altitudes allow for a wide range of coffee profiles, with smallholder farmers playing a pivotal role in Colombia’s coffee success. Despite challenges like changing weather patterns and social conflicts, Colombia continues to produce some of the finest specialty coffees in the world.

Onyx Coffee Lab has fostered deep relationships with Colombian producers over the past decade, sourcing exceptional coffees like this Gesha White Honey. These partnerships have enabled them to showcase the innovation, resilience, and craftsmanship of Colombia’s coffee-growing communities.

With its bright florals, tropical sweetness, and herbal undertones, this Gesha White Honey is a testament to the skill and dedication behind every step of its production, from the meticulous growing and processing techniques of Sebastian Ramirez to the precise roasting by Onyx Coffee Lab. This coffee is ideal for those who appreciate the beauty and complexity of high-end specialty coffees, delivering a truly memorable cup.