FrontStreet Adds Medium-Roast Ethiopian Naturals and 30% Geisha Blend

If you’ve ever bought a coffee labeled as 100% Geisha only to wonder why it tastes more like a generic washed Arabica, or if you’re curious why some Ethiopian naturals taste dull despite their high reputation, you’re not alone. These are common frustrations for specialty coffee drinkers who trust labels but get something less distinct—or less Geisha—than expected.

FrontStreet Coffee has just restocked three new arrivals, including two Ethiopian naturals switched from light to medium roast, and a so-called 100% Geisha bean that turned out to be only about 30% Geisha after hand sorting. Here’s what changed, why it matters, and how you can taste the difference.

New Medium-Roast Ethiopian Naturals: More Body, Same Origin

FrontStreet has adjusted the roast profiles of two Ethiopian naturals: Adado Natural Yirgacheffe and Ethiopia Natural Banko Gotiti. Instead of the usual light roast applied to most African naturals, both are now medium roasted. This shift aims to highlight a different spectrum of flavors—more body, richer sweetness, and a balanced acidity—while staying true to their Yirgacheffe heritage.

These medium roasts join two existing light-roast Ethiopian naturals already on the menu: Wolkite Cooperative and Shepherd’s Yirgacheffe. Together, they let you compare how the same region’s beans express themselves under different roast levels, particularly the vibrant fruit and floral notes typical of Yirgacheffe.

Why the Roast Change? Finding New Dimensions in Familiar Beans

Traditionally, many roasters—including FrontStreet—opt for a light roast on Ethiopian naturals to preserve their intrinsic floral and citrus characteristics. But with these two new arrivals, the team experimented with a medium roast to see if a different balance of acidity, sweetness, and body could better showcase their qualities.

The goal was simple: offer a version of these Ethiopian coffees where the fruit and fermentation notes are still present, but supported by deeper caramelized sugars and a rounder mouthfeel. That’s why you’ll now find both the Adado and Banko Gotiti naturals roasted to medium—not light—bringing out a different facet of their profiles.

The '100% Geisha' That Wasn’t: A 30% Geisha Discovery

The bigger revelation came with a new arrival from Costa Rica’s Bramas Estate, labeled as a Geisha natural. Initial impressions from the green beans raised doubts: the physical shape of the seeds didn’t match typical Geisha beans, which are notably long and slender. Upon closer inspection, the FrontStreet team spotted clear differences and manually sorted out the actual Geisha seeds.

Cupping the initial roast revealed subtle Geisha-like notes—think citrus and floral hints—but nothing overwhelmingly distinct. After hand selecting, they estimated the actual Geisha content at around 30%. Despite supplier claims, this bean is a blend, not a pure Geisha variety.

FrontStreet updated the product listing to reflect the 30% Geisha content and priced it at ¥158 per 227g (half pound), aligning it with standard natural Costa Rican beans rather than premium single-origin Geisha prices. The lesson? Always check the fine print—or better yet, the seeds themselves.

What This Means for Coffee Buyers

This situation highlights a gap in transparency among some green coffee suppliers. FrontStreet took a loss by pricing the bean as a Geisha variety despite its mixed genetics, but they’ve made the information clear to customers going forward. For buyers, it’s a reminder to look beyond marketing terms and, when possible, understand the actual makeup of your coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did FrontStreet change the roast level of the Ethiopian naturals?

FrontStreet shifted Adado Natural Yirgacheffe and Ethiopia Natural Banko Gotiti from their usual light roast to medium roast to explore a different flavor profile. The medium roast enhances sweetness and body while preserving some fruity notes, offering a contrast to the brighter acidity of light roasts.

What’s the difference between the new medium-roast Ethiopians and the light-roast ones?

The medium-roast versions (Adado and Banko Gotiti) emphasize a rounder, sweeter cup with more developed flavors, while the existing light-roast Ethiopians (Wolkite and Shepherd’s) highlight bright acidity, floral, and citrus notes typical of traditional Ethiopian naturals.

How much Geisha is actually in the Bramas Estate 'Geisha' natural?

After hand sorting, FrontStreet determined the Bramas Estate Geisha-labeled natural contains approximately 30% Geisha beans. The rest are other varieties, despite the original 100% Geisha claim from the supplier.

Why is the 30% Geisha blend priced like a regular natural?

Because it’s not a pure Geisha variety, FrontStreet priced the 30% Geisha Bramas Estate natural at ¥158 per 227g, the same range as standard Costa Rican natural beans, rather than at a premium Geisha price.

How can I tell if my coffee is really what it says it is?

Always check the roast date, origin details, and processing method on the bag. When possible, buy from transparent roasters. If a coffee is labeled as a single variety (like Geisha), but the price or taste seems off, ask for more detail or look for visual clues in the green beans.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Exploring Ethiopian & Geisha Profiles

Try FrontStreet’s Wolkite Cooperative Yirgacheffe (light roast) for bright floral and citrus notes, or Shepherd’s Yirgacheffe (light roast) for similar profiles with more ferment complexity. For medium roast fans, the Adado Natural Yirgacheffe and Ethiopia Natural Banko Gotiti now offer a richer, sweeter take on Ethiopian fruitiness. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.