Being that Hawaii is the only US state that grows coffee, they certainly made their mark by having one of the top specialty coffees in the world.

Kona volcanic estate coffee is grown on the lower slopes of Mauna Loa, a volcano in the western district of the island. One of the biggest struggles Kona faces is supply and demand. Space for cultivating coffee is tight competing with the high traffic volume of tourists on the island. Despite the limited space to grow Kona, only about 3000 acres produce this coffee, Kona produces the highest yield of any Arabica in the world at about 2000lbs per acre. Compare that to the Latin America average of 500-800lbs per acre and it is astounding that in such limited space they can maintain such high quality and high quantity coffee. A lot of that has to do with the reason we all love Hawaii, the weather.

Blessed with the local phenomenon of "free shade", the trees have a rest from the sun everyday about 2pm when the afternoon clouds roll in. With the perfect mixture of sun and rain, and with no risk of frost, these trees excel in this climate.

Originally brought in from Brazil in the 1800's, the cuttings were introduced to Hawaii by Reverend Samuel Ruggles during his missionary work there. The initial planting of theses trees was extremely labor intensive, being on the slope of the volcano, but well worth the work since almost all of the trees planted above 300 feet are disease resistant. All Kona Volcanic Estate coffee is grown at 800-2500 feet, but the very porous volcanic soil seems to produce the same amazing results as if coffee grown at much higher altitudes.

The Hawaiian coffee industry has the tightest regulations and the highest labor costs in the world. All of the coffee grown on these tiny cluster farms is entirely handpicked, and wet processed by about 600 independent coffee farmers. It has been under strict regulation since in 1990 a mill owner was convicted of fraud for trying to pass off lesser grade beans in Kona bags. You can rest assured that after the scandal that shook the little coffee-growing town, the mill workers and authorities now work closely together to maintain the identity of the true Kona coffee.

Once the highest price coffee in the world, prices for now have now moderated. Kona coffee Volcanic Estate is still one of the worlds most sought after coffees. This cup produces and extremely well balanced brew, clear in flavor with a smooth buttery body. There is also a gentle vibrancy that is complimented by notes of milk chocolate and fruit.

Combining Hawaii's gifts to the world, coffee and a beautiful romantic get-a-way, you can easily find true Kona coffee by arranging a tour through a coffee mill on the island that produces authentic Kona. If you can't manage to get to Hawaii from late August to early December to actually see the coffee being wet-processed, you can always count on coffeeAM to get it to you freshly roasted. You simply won't be disappointed.