Big Island Coffee
A visit to Hawaii always reveals more than the last visit, and hints that there is infinitely more to explore. Beyond the glorious waves and the laid-back lifestyle that seems ready for tourists looking for a long break, there is an enormous heritage on the island, with rich cultures contributing to a unique history. It’s also sometimes a complex and troubling history, which is always serving as a reminder that things are never what they seem. However, there are also spectacular products that have arisen from the past, and today help to support the local economy.
Anyone visiting the Big Island will be familiar with Kona Coffee . Chances are very high that you’ve already tried it, and it’s very easy to love, especially if coffee is already a fancy. It caused the surly and prescient Mark Twain to rave, and it continues to enchant anyone who tries it. Even if the agenda has you traveling to Oahu , you’ll still get a chance to try the real Kona. There is only one place in the world it can be grown, and that is on the Big Island in the Kona region.
There is something very special about the climate and the soil here. The rich volcanic soil, being a place that has continually active volcanos, is particularly good at making this type of bean come to life. There is also a morning sun, and afternoon clouds that are also peculiarly apt to making it grow like no other place on earth.
Today, there are a number of coffee farms here, and they’re connected to history of Japanese labor, where workers were sent to work the coffee plantations earlier in the 20th century. The coffee itself is one that many people think they’re familiar with, but it’s not always the case. Kona blends, which is where most Kona coffee is represented, might be composed of only 10 percent Kona beans. That’s why it’s important to look for the 100 percent Kona on the label, so that you’ll know you’re getting nothing less than the real thing.