Coffee Tree

Kona Coffee-A Treasure of Hawaii

If you have ever been to Hawaii, you know that it is an area of the world that is very special.  Its weather is almost always perfect and that makes for the perfect growing environment for one of the special products that we get to enjoy from there-Kona coffee.  This land of warm sunshine, beautiful beaches, and friendly people is a relaxing place to enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee.  Thankfully, though, you can also enjoy Kona coffee right in your own home.  This coffee is grown on the mountainous slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes.  Because of its sun drenched mornings and misty afternoons, this region of Hawaii provides the perfect place for these coffee trees to grow and produce these special coffee beans.  These beans are handpicked at the peak of perfection on approximately 600 farms. Kona, which is on the west coast of Hawai’i island (also known as The Big Island), has produced coffee since the early 1800s. For coffee to carry the Kona name, it must be grown in this area.

The taste the coffee bean produces when it is brewed is determined by the area and climate where it is grown.  The flavor of the coffee beans will be determined by the sun, rain, and soil of the area.  The rocky volcanic land and frost-free temperature make Kona an ideal region for growing coffee.

King Kamehemeha was the warrior king who united the Hawaiian Islands. He owned much of the area around Kona where this coffee is now grown. The Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate is who now owns most of the land. The estate leases small tracks of three to seven acres to about 600 coffee farmers.  These farmers produce the majority of coffee grown in the region.

The coffee beans start as small white flowers that are known as Kona Snow.  These flowers appear on the coffee trees in February and March. Green berries begin to appear on the trees in April.  The coffee beans, called coffee cherries, start to ripen in late August and continue ripening through late January.  The coffee cherries are ready to harvest when they turn a bright red color. Harvesting this crop is labor intensive.  To insure that only those cherries that are at their peak are harvested, these cherries must be handpicked. Because all the cherries do not ripen at the same time, the farmers must pick each tree several times throughout the season.  Each tree will eventually produce 20-30 pounds of cherries a season.  To ensure that the coffee beans will be fresh, the beans will start to be processed within 24 hours of being picked.

Now is when you get to enjoy the fruits of the harvest.  After the harvesting and roasting is completed, the coffee is ready to sell.   Although this coffee is only grown in Kona, it is enjoyed around the world.  If you have never tried this Hawaiian treasure, don’t wait.  Once you have tasted your first cup of this gourmet coffee, you will want to enjoy it time and again and share this special treat with your family and friends.

About the Author

I have been a coffee and tea drinker all of my life.  I enjoy finding out about the different coffees and teas and sharing that information with others.  At http://www.coffeeandteahouse.com, we carry a wide variety of affordable coffees and teas for your shopping enjoyment.

My Hawaii Kona Coffee tree in Garyton Indiana bought on EBAY in feb 08 2005