Beyond the beaches, coffee in Hawaii deserves your attention. If you love coffee like I do, there’s something unique and delicious for you in Hawaii. Exploring the coffee culture is just the thing. From the many plantations, custom roasters, and the region’s unique history, coffee in Hawaii is an adventure you’ll savor.
Things to Know About Coffee in Hawaii
I love coffee. Whenever I travel anywhere, I find local roasters and cafes. It’s less common I can get right to the source – the growers. Yet, Hawaii’s mineral-rich volcanic soil creates ideal conditions for coffee cultivation. It’s known for its coffee production and you’ll find plantations across the islands, each with its unique beans. I visited plantations on the Big Island and Kauai.
Where they Grow Coffee
There are coffee plantations across the Hawaiian islands where the diverse microclimates contribute to the complex flavors of Hawaiian coffee. Many coffee farmers focus on sustainable practices that protect the delicate ecosystem. The hospitality of the locals adds to the charm of a coffee tour.
The Big Island’s Kona Coffee is the crown jewel of Hawaiian coffee. Kona coffee, grown in the Big Island’s Kona district, is the most celebrated Hawaiian coffee. It accounts for just 1% of global coffee production, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after coffees worldwide.
Kauai Coffee: A popular plantation and well-known, affordable name brand. It is grown on Kauai but available in grocery stores across the United States.
Oahu and Maui: I haven’t visited these plantations yet. I’m told they offer unique flavors and experiences. I’ll get to them soon!
Hawaii’s climate gives the beans a specific taste. The beans are primarily Arabica, a variety that originates from all over the world, including Brazil, Guatemala, and Jamaica. Each varietal has distinct flavor characteristics enhanced by the climate and the specific roasting and blending process.
Coffee Tours and Plantation Visits
There are many coffee plantations in Hawaii. One of the best things to do is stop at them for a tour. You can also sample the coffee and buy some beans to take home.
A coffee tour in Hawaii is more than just a caffeine fix. It’s a journey through the heart of the islands. The rich history of coffee cultivation offers many stories. Passionate farmers tend the plants with care. There’s a story waiting to be discovered at every farm.
On plantation tours, you’ll learn about the beans they grow and their roasting process. You will also tour the farms, see the drying and roasting process and get samples. Some plantations offer free tours and others charge a small fee. Most plantations give free samples of the coffee. A few even offer cascara, a delicious tea made from cherry coffee pulp.
Many growers in Hawaii use drip irrigation systems to maximize water use. They also reduce the use of fertilizers with compositing programs and direct root application. These techniques help to improve soil health.
Taste of Coffee in Hawaii
Hawaiian coffee is characterized by its bright acidity, smooth body, and complex flavor profile. Depending on the specific region and variety, caramel, chocolate, and fruit notes often emerge. The absence of bitterness is a hallmark of high-quality Hawaiian coffee.
While Kona coffee is the most famous, a rich diversity of flavors is waiting to be discovered.
Fun Fact: The word for coffee in Hawaiian is kope, pronounced [ˈkope].
To truly appreciate the nuances of Hawaiian coffee, consider attending a coffee cupping session. This sensory experience lets you taste different coffees side by side, comparing flavors and aromas. Many coffee farms offer cupping sessions as part of their tours.
The Kona region of Hawaii Island is the most famous coffee region in the state. Its coffee is highly sought after. Kona coffee is known for being clean, mild, and pleasant, with a good aftertaste. The coffee’s rarity contributes to its high value. It is hand-harvested, ensuring quality. Everyone in the supply chain receives a living wage. Hence, it can command some of the highest prices in the world.
Some believe Kona coffee is the best in the world, except for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Good Kona coffee lacks the bitterness of coffee from other parts of the world.
Fun fact: Contrary to popular belief, lighter roasts have more caffeine than darker roasts. Caffeine cooks away the longer you roast the beans.
Good Kona coffee costs $20 or more per pound. For example, some at Kona Joe’s on the Big Island can cost $110 per pound. There, the coffee trees grow on a trellis, like grapes. Maybe just try a cup.
What is Peaberry Coffee?
Something you’ll learn while touring coffee plantations is the wonder and joy of the peaberry coffee bean. Typical coffee beans grow two at a time inside a coffee cherry. However, about 3 to 7 % of the time, only one bean grows instead of two. This bean is rounder, like a pea. They’re considered sweeter and more flavorful since they don’t share their flavor-building resources with a sibling. They’re also much more expensive, some averaging $50 a pound.
I found the peaberry coffee to be much less acidic and smoother than other coffee. Depending on how it was roasted, it was also less bitter in flavor, full-bodied, and almost chocolatey.
Fun fact: A Q-grader is a coffee sommelier who sets the standard for the coffee people drink. There are around 8,500 Q-graders worldwide, but I am not one of them.
A barista is a coffee expert who works in a cafe and specializes in coffee drinks, especially espresso. I learned that tidbit while visiting Starbucks Reserve. It is a great place to sample unique coffee. You can also try coffee cupping closer to home.
Coffee Plantation Tours
A coffee tour in Hawaii is more than just a taste of the islands. It’s an immersive experience that connects you to the land. It connects you to the people and the passion behind every cup.
The plantation tours in Hawaii often showcase the entire coffee-making process. This includes growing and harvesting the beans. It also includes the roasting and packaging. Each also typically has a small cafe and retail shop. On the Big Island, where most growers live, you can spend days just driving around visiting plantations. You can also visit the hundreds of independent coffee farms.
Plantations I loved
- Kauaʻi Coffee Company, also known as the Kauai Coffee Plantation, is the largest coffee farm in the United States. Established in 1897, it has over 3,100 acres dedicated to growing coffee beans. The company offers free and paid tours. Visitors can enjoy free samples. The cafe sells more elaborate coffee drinks and handmade ice cream.
- Greenwell Farms on Big Island was started in the 1850s. Today, it is managed by the same family on 85 acres in Kona. They offer free daily hour-long tours highlighting the roasting and milling process, including the farm. Optional paid tours include a more immersive experience and coffee cupping (tasting).
- Bayview Farm on Big Island is a lovely coastal farm on 25 acres. About 40,000 coffee trees were planted there in 1984. Twenty acres are dedicated to coffee, while the rest are used for other tropical fruits. The farm offers free daily tours and bean drying and processing. There’s also a great gift shop and plenty of free samples, including cascara tea.
Coffee in Hawaii gives a new meaning to “from bean to cup.” It will make your Hawaiian sunrises even more magical if you can believe it.
Enjoy the Aloha State’s unique terrain and volcanic legacy. Remember, it also gives its coffee a specialness you won’t find anywhere else. So, if you love your morning brew, take the time to sip and savor coffee in Hawaii.
Read other stories about Hawaii here.
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