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Hawaiian Coffeeby Chris Arnold The Hawaiian islands conjure up visions of paradise. But that is not all. The coffee lover also knows that coffee from Hawaii is known for it's high praise, accompanied by an equally high price. Hawaiian coffees are the only coffees grown in the United States (sorry, Puerto Rico is a territory). Although many think of Hawaiian Kona Coffee, Royal Kona Coffee, or Hawaiian Gold Kona Coffee as being the best, or even the only coffee Hawaii has to offer, many do not realize that the islands of Hawaii have a lot more to offer than just pure Kona Coffee. We will go into a brief history on how coffee got to the Hawaiian isles, as well as geographic layout of the islands, and the varieties grown on each. As we get into the different flavors they bring to the cup, you will see that Hawaiian coffee beans are as varied as the islands and peoples themselves. In this article, we will talk about Maui coffee, Kauai coffee, Molokai coffee, and Oahu coffee. The term Kona Coffee encompasses so much, we will dedicate an entire article just to Kona Coffee Beans and The Big Island of Hawaii at a later date. HistoryCoffee Trees arrived in Hawaii in the early 1800’s through various means. One way was in 1825. The British ship H.M.S. Blonde brought coffee trees from Brazil. These trees were planted in Oahu, and then spread to other islands. The first actual coffee plantation was on the North Shore of Kauai. As the flourishing coffee plantations of the 19th century in Hawaii gave way to the 20th century, the future of coffee on Hawaii was uncertain. Sugar tariffs were lifted to the mainland in 1900. Quickly coffee plantations were replaced with sugar cane fields. But in the 1960's and 1970's, coffee once again became a delicacy, and people were willing to pay more for unique coffees. As a result, the coffee plantations saw their second wind. After 100 years, the life of coffee in Hawaii has come full circle. There are now upwards of 7,000 acres producing about 7 million pounds of green coffee each year. Hawaiian isle coffee is still one of the most expensive, relatively high-volume coffees consumed in the world, along with the likes of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee (JMB). GeographyFirst a quick primer on the different islands of Hawaii. There are 8 islands - Hawaii (called The Big Island), Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau. Of these, coffee (always Arabica) is really only grown on 5 of the 8 islands. Here is a map as well as a breakdown of the islands, regions, varieties, and some notes on each:
Maui
Growing Area(s): Kaanapali, Haleakala, Hana
Kauai
Growing Area(s): Kalaheo
MolokaiGrowing Area(s): Kualapuu
OahuGrowing Area(s): North Shore between Wahiawa and Waialua
Hawaii (Big Island)Growing Area(s): Kona, Kau, Puna, Hamakua Kona is the Big Kahuna here. We will dedicate another article to this since it covers a lot of territory.
ConclusionAt least now you have a better idea of the types of flavors you can get from Hawaiian coffee, approximate costs, and appreciate how fortunate we are to have the coffees coming out of Hawaii, considering it's near extinction not long ago. And you if you are looking to buy Fair Trade coffee, or Organic coffee, Hawaiian coffee is a good choice. While not all are certified organic, many are going that direction, or are organic by default. And we know that the farmers are generally paid well, so Fair Trade certification is not really too much of a concern in this situation. If you want roasted coffee, a quick Google search will turn up an endless supply of companies wiling to charge you as much as $40 for a pound of Hawaiian Isle Coffee (and it may be worth it). However, if you are looking to save some serious money by home roasting, there is a great opportunity to buy raw, unroasted green coffee beans at a much reduced price, and roast it yourself. It will be fresher, and allow you to try a wider variety without dipping into your kid's college fund. Hawaiian green coffee is readily available on the internet via a quick Google search. INeedCoffee contributor Gary Strawn and his company Kona Earth offer both roasted Kona Coffee and green Kona coffee. Stay tuned for an article dedicated strictly to Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee - what many consider to be the finest coffee in the world. |
