Where can I buy 100% Kona Bean Coffee on Maui?

[OpenD]

Originally Posted by KaraBenNemsi

. Ka'u coffee and Kona coffee taste very similar, and nobody gains anything from comparing these two bordering districts' coffees.

Different strokes for different folks, but I personally find Ka'u coffee to be richer and more flavorful than Kona. And it is definitely gaining recognition globally. I was surprised recently to see that Starbucks is featuring a Reserve Ka'u at $25 per half pound.

Starbucks Reserve® Hawaii Ka'u | Starbucks® Store

Fortunately it's available locally for a lot less.

It's interesting to me that although the first coffee plantations were in Kona, that Puna was actually the leading American coffee growing region by the end of the 19th century. According to the state about 2,900 acres of coffee are currently planted in Kona, while there were about 6,000 acres of coffee growing between Keau'u and Mountain View in the late 1800s. Due to high labor costs, however, those Puna coffee plantations were ripped up and replanted with sugar cane, which afforded a higher profit to growers.

In any case, there is some coffee grown on Maui, so seeking out some local "homegrown" might be fun.

[MitchTempo]

The Maui coffee is alright imho, but if you want a bolder flavor stick to those Kona dark roast Arabica bean variants. Maui has Red Catuai beans and a few others which are lighter. I dunno this is just info my wife tells me as she loves bold/dark roast. Me personally I can't tell the difference, coffee tastes like coffee, and some taste more bitter/oilier/fruity.

Toss some mocha and steamed milk in it and I'm happy.

[Koale]

I would highly recommend 'Surfin' Ass Coffee' on the Big Island. Undoubtedly expensive but
it is 'da kine!
Koale