Did you know that the largest coffee farm in the United States is on the island of Kauai? The Kauai Coffee Company boasts four million coffee trees spread across 3,100 acres.
If you’re curious about how coffee is grown or what it’s like to visit one of the most famous Kauai coffee plantations, keep reading.
The Growing Process
Let’s take a look at how coffee gets from the seed to your cup.
From Seed to Tree
Coffee trees take about 3 to 4 years to mature to the point that they begin to bear fruit, and they’re generally productive for anywhere from 7 to 20 years.
Coffee thrives in tropical climates and volcanic soil, and Kauai Coffee is fortunate to have plenty of both. The company uses water from Mount Waialeale, arguably the wettest spot on earth, to nourish its crop.
The Ripening Stage
It takes about 8 months for coffee cherries to ripen to a deep, rich red. Once mature, a single producing tree will yield about a pound of coffee beans in a year.
Harvesting and processing
The Kauai Coffee Company uses automated harvesting, which is a contrast to the hand-harvesting methods used by the smaller family farms that produce Kona coffee.
Once harvested, the coffee cherries go through several processing stages:
- Sorting. The harvested cherries are sorted to separate the ripe ones from the overripe ones.
- Pulping and grading. The outer layer of the coffee cherry is removed via a process called pulping. Then, the beans are sorted by size and density.
- Drying. The beans are dried, either in the sun or by machine.
After drying, the beans are ready for roasting.
The Kauai Coffee Estate Visitor Experience
A visit to the Kauai Coffee Estate isn’t just a quick caffeine stop; it’s an immersive experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Exploring the Estate
You can take a free, self-guided walking tour and learn how coffee is grown on this beautiful island. Along the way, look for the signs that identify the different coffee varieties.
Coffee Tasting
One of the best parts of the visit is sampling the 100% Hawaiian, estate-grown coffees. You can learn all about the unique flavors that make Hawaiian coffee so special.
Roasting Demonstrations
If you’re there on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, be sure to catch one of the roasting demonstrations at 9:00 AM.
Location and Hours
The Kauai Coffee Estate is located about 17 miles from the Lihue airport. It’s open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but it’s always a good idea to check their website or call ahead to confirm their hours, especially around holidays.
Kauai Coffee vs. Kona Coffee
Kauai and Kona are the two most famous Hawaiian coffee-growing regions. But they have some key differences:
- Scale and Automation: Kauai Coffee is a large, mechanized operation. Kona coffee, on the other hand, is typically grown on small, family-run farms.
- Harvesting Techniques: Kauai Coffee uses machines to harvest its coffee beans. Kona coffee farmers typically hand-pick their beans.
- Location Differences: The Kona coffee region is a narrow strip of land, only 2 to 3 miles wide and 30 miles long, at elevations ranging from 700 to 2500 feet.
In Summary
Kauai Coffee is more than just a cup of joe. It’s the largest coffee farm in the United States, offering a complete and immersive coffee experience you won’t find anywhere else.
If you ever find yourself on the Garden Isle, consider a visit to the Kauai Coffee Estate. There, you can learn about the entire process, from planting the first seed to brewing the perfect cup. And you can taste a wide range of 100% Hawaiian, estate-grown coffees. Cheers!