If you're a coffee connoisseur and you're in the Leeds are, The Barn Coffee Shop at Meanwood Valley Urban Farm is the place to be on Friday, September 27 at 6pm.

"Why?" we hear you ask. Well, Mark is holding a tasting event there featuring a selection of exclusive, sought-after Gesha coffees.

Gesha is a variety of coffee tree which originated in Ethiopia and is now found in a number of different countries around the globe. This tasting event features Ethopian-grown coffee from the exclusive Gesha Coffee Village. 

This brand prides itself with being "synonymous with extraordinary quality" and sells its coffees at an annual auction, with prices at this year's sale reaching up to US$161/lb.

They're no longer available to purchase from source but, prior to the auction, Mark managed to buy samples of 27 of the coffees, which he will roast next week ready for the big day.

Up to 40 people can attend the event, which will provide the opportunity to sample some absolutely stunning coffees.

Mark describes Gesha coffee as "the lady of the coffee world". He explains, "It takes a lot to grow it, it grows in volcanic soil and its high quality beans sell for crazy prices.

"The tasting is going to be intense and absolutely amazing and very worth it."

The quality of these coffees puts them among roughly the top four per cent of the world's coffee.

What's more, this event is being held to raise money for our fundraising appeal to support our Kenyan partners at Lot 20 to produce new, sustainable drying beds for their beans, with all profits from ticket sales going to the appeal, which has been extended to run to the end of this month.

And, as it's in aid of our Lot 20 fundraising, coffee aficionados needn't worry about whether they can justify spending £15 or £20 on drinking more coffee. After all, you're not so much paying for the chance to taste delicious, unmistakeable-quality coffee as making an investment into the future of Africa's coffee industry. It's a no-brainer, right? 

If you're in Leeds and you're a serious coffee fan, we'd love to see you. And if you're not in Leeds, well, these coffees are worth making a trip to try.

Tickets can be pre-booked for just £15. Alternatively, if spaces remain, you can pay on the door for £20. Be careful, though; places are limited and we'd hate for you to travel to the event only to find it full so booking is 100% recommended.

What are you waiting for? Head to the booking page now to secure your place.