90+ Panama and Ethiopia Specialty Coffee Beans Reviewed

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a $95-per-pound coffee worth the price—or how processing methods like Solkiln or ruby can reshape a Geisha’s flavor—this guide breaks down nine elite 90+ Coffee offerings grown in Panama and Ethiopia. These beans aren’t just rare; they’re experiments in terroir, altitude, and post-harvest innovation. We dig into the details so you know exactly what you’re tasting and why.

In short: The 90+ Coffee lineup reviewed here includes a Level 39 Panama Geisha honey (Juliette H2) and a Level 195 ruby-processed Geisha (Perci Ruby N2), alongside Ethiopian heirlooms at Levels 7 to 95. Flavors range from mango and pineapple in ruby-processed Geishas to peach and bergamot in Ethiopian naturals. Every bean is traceable by origin, process, and altitude—from 1,250 to 2,000 meters.

What Is 90+ Coffee?

90+ Coffee is a Panamanian specialty coffee producer known for experimental lots, numbered levels (39 to 195), and meticulous processing. Their beans often come from the famed Boquete region, particularly the Geisha variety grown at elevations between 1,250 and 1,650 meters. The company also sources Ethiopian heirloom beans from regions like Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Wellega. Each lot is processed using unique techniques—such as honey, natural, Solkiln, or ruby—to highlight specific flavor profiles beyond traditional methods.

Panama Geisha Profiles: Honey, Solkiln & Beyond

The Panama-grown 90+ Geisha beans reviewed here share a base of the Geisha variety, grown at 1,250–1,650 meters, but diverge dramatically in processing and flavor:

• Juliette H2 (Level 39): A honey-processed Geisha with floral notes, offering orange peel, caramel, and dry cashew flavors. Grown 2013–2014.
• Lotus Solkiln H2 (Level 95): Uses 90+’s patented Solkiln process—a controlled indoor environment adjusting humidity and temperature to extend drying while maintaining washed-like clarity. Delivers fig, honey, melon, and layered tropical fruit. Also 2013–2014.
• Perci N2 (Level 39): A natural (dried-in-the-fruit) process Geisha with bold cherry, carob, vanilla, and mixed juice flavors.
• Perci Red N2 (Level 95): Employs 90+’s “Red” process, an enhanced natural method that amplifies vanilla, tropical fruits, and light wine-like tones. Notes include mango, pineapple, banana, red grape, honey, and peach.
• Perci Ruby N2 (Level 195): Processed via 90+’s proprietary ruby method, this lot features intense white wine and honey with bold tropical fruits. Flavors turn bold and rustic—banana, red grape, honey, and peach gain a vinous edge. The most expensive in the lineup.
• Sillvia Solkiln N2 (Level 95): Another Solkiln-processed Geisha, this time with sun-dried exposure. Offers juicy tropical fruit, pineapple shortbread, and a long finish.

Ethiopian Heirlooms: Washed, Natural & Red Processes

The Ethiopian offerings come from Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, and Wellega regions, all using native heirloom varieties at 1,750–2,000 meters:

• Kemgin W2 (Level 7): A washed Ethiopian heirloom with bright notes of white peach, lime, honeydew, ginseng, and carob.
• Tchembe N2 (Level 7): A natural-process Yirgacheffe with heavy mouthfeel, earthy and dark fruit tones, plus subtle citrus.
• Nekisse N2 (Level 12): A natural Ethiopian blend from Wellega and Sidamo, offering clean, balanced layers of peach, berries, passionfruit, and cream/milk chocolate. Floral, blueberry, and woody notes persist from hot to cold.
• Nekisse Red N2 (Level 39): Uses a red natural process to boost blueberry, cherry, brandy, and dark chocolate notes while preserving fruit-chocolate balance and layered texture.
• Nekisse Ruby N2 (Level 95): The ruby-processed Ethiopian heirloom delivers intense blueberry, cherry, and brandy, with a bright yet rich profile. Black chocolate flavors approach pure cocoa powder intensity.

What Is Solkiln? What About Ruby Process?

Two standout techniques appear in this lineup:

• Solkiln: A 90+ patented method where beans are dried indoors with equipment controlling temperature and humidity. This extends drying time compared to traditional methods but preserves a clean, almost washed profile while boosting sweetness and complexity. Used in both Panama (Lotus Solkiln H2, Sillvia Solkiln N2) and potentially other experimental lots.
• Ruby Process: A proprietary natural-style process (applied in Peru and here to Ethiopian Nekisse Ruby N2 and Panama’s Perci Ruby N2) that enhances fruit and wine-like characteristics. It’s more nuanced than standard natural drying, aiming for vibrant yet smooth profiles with deep chocolate and berry tones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most expensive 90+ Coffee bean in this lineup?

The Perci Ruby N2, a Level 195 Panama Geisha processed with 90+’s ruby method, is the most expensive at the highest level (195), reflecting its intense tropical and vinous profile with near-cocoa black chocolate notes.

Which processing method delivers the cleanest profile in Geisha?

The Lotus Solkiln H2 (Level 95) uses 90+’s patented Solkiln process, which extends drying time in a controlled environment to enhance sweetness and complexity while maintaining a washed-like clarity.

Do any Ethiopian beans use the ruby process?

Yes, the Nekisse Ruby N2 (Level 95) is an Ethiopian heirloom from Wellega and Sidamo processed with the ruby method, offering intense blueberry, cherry, brandy, and dark chocolate flavors with a bright, clean profile.

What altitude are these beans grown at?

The Panamanian Geisha beans are grown between 1,250 and 1,650 meters; the Ethiopian beans are cultivated at 1,750 to 2,000 meters.

What is the Level system in 90+ Coffee?

90+ Coffee uses a Level rating (e.g., 7, 12, 39, 95, 195) to categorize its experimental lots, likely reflecting rarity, processing complexity, or cup quality—but exact criteria are not publicly specified.

Which 90+ Coffee bean offers the most tropical fruit complexity?

The Perci Ruby N2 (Panama Geisha) and Nekisse Ruby N2 (Ethiopian heirloom) both deliver intense tropical fruit layers, with the former leaning into vinous tones and the latter emphasizing bright berry and chocolate balance.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee Beans from 90+ Lineup

For fans of high-scoring Geisha profiles, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Juliette H2 (Panama Geisha, honey process, floral with orange peel and caramel) and Lotus Solkiln H2 (same origin, Solkiln method, fig and honey with tropical depth). Both showcase 90+ Coffee’s experimental processing at altitude. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.