The US mainland receives numerous farm exports from the islands of Hawaii. In 2008, Hawaii cattle exports topped the charts, followed by nursery exports, then sugar/molasses and finally seed exports. A lesser-known export from Hawaii includes coffee, more specifically, Kona coffee. In fact, Hawaii is the only US state that produces the most coffee.

According to the USDA, Hawaii coffee production for the 2009-2010 season is estimated at 8.00 million pounds (parchment basis). It is also reported that this estimated amount is down 8% from the previous year due to dry weather in Kona, insect hurt and volcanic smoke.

Kona is located on the Huge Island of Hawaii in the well-known Kona Coffee Belt. The Huge Island offers the most acreage of coffee farming although there is also acreage on other islands such as Kauai, Oahu and Maui. There are approximately 600 coffee farms on the Huge Island. Most of the Kona production is prime or better. It is mainly cultivated and harvested by hand and the belt offers superior growing conditions for the beans.

Hawaii’s coffee industry has really been in existence since the 1800′s. According to the Hawaii Coffee Association, coffee trees arrived in Hawaii in the early 1800s on a British warship. The trees originally came from Brazil. The industry has experienced ups and downs due to insects and economics, but in the last 10 years, it has really expanded. There are numerous farms that have become tourist attractions with tours of the plantations and operations to learn coffee how coffee is grown and prepared, from seed to cup.

The growing and cultivating of Kona coffee starts with the growing phase. The Kona coffee plant will start to produce small white flowers usually in January. Those flowers will become coffee berries that start out green and then transform to red cherries in the fall. The red cherries are then harvested, or picked. The coffee pulper takes the husks off so there is only the pulp, which is stored for fermentation and then dried. There is a grading phase whereby the parchment is removed and then the coffee is sorted by size and density. Finally, the coffee is roasted and ready to be packaged!

Coffee from Hawaii is becoming more and more common but more often than not, coffee sold with Hawaiian beans are merely blends. Some blends only contain 10% Hawaiian beans. Consumers must read the marks to determine the percentage of Hawaiian vs. other coffee beans. There are coffees with 100% Hawaiian coffee, or more specifically Kona coffee that may be a bit more expensive.

Coffee, including coffee from Hawaii, is believed to have some health benefits. Coffee is a fantastic source of antioxidants which prevents or slows oxidative hurt to our bodies. Coffee drinkers also have a lowered risk of developing certain illnesses such as diabetes or Parkinson’s. Coffee can also stimulate the brain & nervous system while also providing relief from headaches.

If you have not yet sampled tasty Kona coffee, then you are in for a real treat! Did you know that Hawaii is the only state in the United States to grow coffee crops? That makes coffee produced from Hawaii quite special, with Kona coffee being one of the most well loved varieties on the market!

Coffee is normally grown along the equator between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. Kona coffee is unique because it is cultivated in a single coffee growing region, where it is also loved by the local communities instead of being only exported for profit. Coffee is grown in 11 different regions on Hawaiian Islands, with the largest being in Manoa Valley in Oahu since 1825. When it comes down to it, there are more than 630 farms cultivating Kona coffee in Hawaii as a whole!

Hawaii truly relies upon the agriculture of coffee growing, especially since 5.7 million pounds of unroasted coffee can be produced on a yearly basis. This totals up to million in profit from the export alone. One other benefit to coffee grown in Hawaii is that it draws serious tourism as a result to benefit the local economy. 16% of tourists to Hawaii in 2003 came specifically to visit the coffee agricultural communities. One of the main attractions to Kona coffee is that it is a specialty and gourmet type of coffee bean, especially since it is grown in such favorable conditions. This causes Kona coffee to be quite expensive compared to a regular bag of coffee beans at up to per pound. But, it is certainly worth the investment since Kona coffee beans are cultivated in rich volcanic soil with temperate rain fall and ideal climate conditions. This allows the coffee beans to get the proper amount of nutrients during the growing process so that their taste is fuller and richer as a result.

If coffee grown in Hawaii contains a blend, it must be advertised on the packaging by law. It is also regulated that the coffee blend has to contain 10% of the beans of origin, and the percentage must be stated on the packaging. But, this law only applies to coffee beans that are packaged in Hawaii, but if they are blended and sold in the United States, then the same laws do not apply.

When you sample a Kona cup of Joe, you will immediately notice the difference in flavor and characteristics! This is certainly a coffee type worth sampling on your journey, and if you are so inclined, making it a part of your next vacation to view the farms where Kona coffee is really grown in Hawaii! Kona coffee from Hawaii is produced at a high price as a specialty gourmet brew, mainly due to the high cost of living in Hawaii causing farmers to produce a crop at a higher price for sale. Nonetheless, Kona coffee from Hawaii is truly one-of-a-kind compared to other coffee beans on the market!

If you have ever visited Hawaii then you already know how gorgeous and picturesque these islands are. They offer fantastic food which can’t be matched anywhere in the world and the Hawaiian coffee is another thing which is highly sought after worldwide. Hawaiian coffee, also known as Kona coffee, offers a rich flavor that is addictive to the discriminating coffee drinker.

Hawaiian coffee is grown on small farms and is typically wet-processed. When coffee is wet-processed it removes the four layers that immediately surround the bean. The result is a cleaner and fruitier coffee that is simply irresistible in taste. There are now many countries that produce fine coffees that also use the wet process. One specific plant known as Typica produces a very low harvest but also produces a very desirable cup of coffee.

The tropical Hawaiian climate is perfect for producing the Hawaiian coffee that is so well-known. Clouds usually protect the island from the direct rays of the sun. This, combined with the rich, volcanic soil and the right amount of moisture, provide perfect conditions for the rich, sweet taste of the Hawaiian coffee. People who like this coffee will have to pay an unusually high price in order to be able to delight in it but most say the price is well worth the taste it offers.

If you usually buy organic products then you will be glad to know that you can also buy Hawaiian coffee that is grown and processed organically. Organic coffee beans are picked by hand then dried naturally by the sun. There are no chemicals used in growing the organic beans. Many people reckon the organic bean coffee has the best taste because of the natural growing process.

Finding the Perfect Cup

If Hawaiian coffee is something you desire to drink on a regular basis you will have to find a supplier that can get the coffee for you. This type of coffee is usually not sold in local grocery stores or discount chains. There are several internet sites that offer this coffee through mail order. You can usually buy the whole beans and grind it yourself or you can buy it already ground. If you have a way to grind it yourself you will be able to delight in the best flavor since fresh ground coffee releases the essential oils that provide the exquisite flavor. These oils will start to dissipate over time and the coffee will loose that fresh ground taste.

Regardless of how you drink it, Hawaiian coffee offers a tropical taste experience that coffee connoisseurs say cannot be found in any other beverage in the world.

Preferred by discerning coffee drinkers for its smooth, full-bodied flavor, Kona coffee is cultivated on the Huge Island of Hawaii in the well-known Kona Coffee Belt. While many imitators sell “Kona blends,” these blends contain only 10 percent pure Kona beans. Experienced Kona growers control every step of the process, from the seed to the cup. Once you’ve loved a cup of rich, 100-percent Kona, you’ll know why roasting this delicate bean is truly considered an art form.

Health Benefits of Kona Coffee
Pure enjoyment is the reason most people drink Kona, but there are also a number of health benefits associated with Hawaii’s best cup.
- Antioxidant Power: Studies indicate that each cup of Hawaiian mountain coffee contains a variety of antioxidants, polyphenols and phyto-chemicals thought to enhance the immune system and reduce the occurrence of cancer.
- Brain and Nervous System Stimulation: Caffeine can enhance alertness, athletic performance and overall endurance.
- Lowered Diabetes and Parkinson’s Risk: Harvard researchers found that drinking several cups of coffee a day lowered diabetes risk in both men and women. In addition, several studies have found that regular coffee drinkers are up to 80 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s-a debilitating auto-immune disease.
- Natural Headache Relief: Kona coffee contains enough caffeine to constrict blood vessels, which may reduce headache pain or even eliminate it altogether.

Order Kona Coffee Online
For those of us who do not have the pleasure of living on the Huge Island, one of the only means of acquiring genuine Kona coffee is to buy it online. Look for an online retailer that thoroughly clarifies their farm, grading system and care taken into producing the highest quality product, right to the culture and prestige surrounding Hawaii and the Kona region. Most retailers are very proud of their product and will gladly engage with you to answer your questions and make sure you are completely satisfied with your buy. Some even provide coffee clubs or membership systems to ensure you never run out of your favorite coffee, with automatic replenishment programs and discount incentives.