The Heart of Kauai Coffee

At Kauai Coffee, we believe every bean you brew tells a story. As the largest coffee grower in the United States, we know the journey from seed to cup is an epic tale that takes a dedicated team, collaboration, and lots of love.

It is a year-round endeavor led by skilled individuals working behind the scenes to make sure you get a little dose of aloha every day. We want to introduce you to some of the incredible teams and the critical work they do to bring 100% Hawaiian Coffee from our island to your home and 'ohana.

Caretakers and Coffee Growers

Meet the Orchard Team

The journey from seed to cup begins in the orchard. Our nearly four million coffee trees sit on 3,100 acres of fertile volcanic soil. That is a lot of trees to tend throughout the year! Winter is a pivotal time for the orchard team as they must work to prepare the trees for another productive season of growth. Here are a few of the critical tasks they take on this time of year:

1. Pruning: After the harvest season ends, the orchard team gets to work pruning trees and preparing for the next growing season. Removing dead, unproductive, or overgrown branches ensures the trees have the energy to produce healthy blooms and fruit come springtime.
2. Irrigation management: Even though winter is a slightly cooler and wetter season, irrigation remains essential. The orchard team meticulously repairs and maintains the drip irrigation system, ensuring every tree receives the water it needs to produce coffee cherries throughout the spring and summer.
3. Soil care: Healthy and happy coffee trees start with healthy soil. Our orchard team also monitors soil conditions, applies nutrients and compost, and cares for the ground our trees are rooted in to maintain growth.

The orchard team's work sets the foundation for everything we do. Their commitment to sustainable practices ensures that every cup of 100% Kauai Coffee is delicious and responsibly grown.

Post-Harvest Processors

Milling and Processing Team

Once the coffee cherries are harvested our milling and processing team steps in to begin these complex post-harvest processes. The annual harvest wraps up in December, so winter is a busy time for this team as they work long days to process the season's yield. Here are just a few of the tasks they complete on the journey from seed to cup:

1. Pulping: The first step in processing plucked cherries into perky beans is to remove the outer layer of the cherries. We primarily employ a wet processing method that breaks down and removes the fruit pulp with water.
2. Drying and milling: After the cherry skin and fruit are removed, the remaining seeds are carefully dried and then milled to remove the thin layers of parchment left behind after drying.
3. Sorting and grading: After beans are milled, they are sorted by size and quality to meet our high standards before heading to the roast plant.

The milling and processing team works with the utmost care and precision, ensuring that every bean is processed to perfection. Their efforts set the stage for our roasting team to turn raw coffee, also known as green beans, into the aromatic coffee we love.

Meet the Masters of Flavor

Roasting Team

Roasting coffee is a work of art, and we have an extraordinary team that has mastered the craft of making flavor. With their expertise they take green coffee beans and transform them into the rich, flavorful roasts Kauai Coffee is known for. Here are just a few of the things they excel at:

1. Scientific process: Roasting coffee is a delicate balance of time and temperature. Our Roast Masters have fine-tuned the process to develop unique flavor profiles that highlight the natural characteristics of our Hawaii-grown beans.
2. Quality: Every batch of 100% Kauai Coffee is carefully monitored, tasted, and tested to ensure it meets our rigorous quality standards. The result is a collection of coffees that delight the senses and celebrate the flavors of Kauai.

Our roasters are passionate about their craft, and it shows in every single sip of Kauai Coffee.

Keeping the Wheels Turning

Meet the Maintenance Masters

Behind every coffee-growing operation is a team that keeps the gears turning – literally! The Kauai Coffee maintenance team plays a pivotal role during the winter season, making sure equipment is ready for the next harvest. Many of our maintenance crew are experienced journeymen with specialized skills; here are a few of the tasks they take care of,

1. Equipment upkeep: The maintenance team disassembles, inspects, repairs, and reassembles our harvesters and machinery, making sure they are in peak condition with the harvest comes around again. As an island-based orchard, we need to have these skilled staff on site. Mother nature always works on time, so sending equipment away for repair and being delayed is not an option.
2. Preventative maintenance: By addressing issues as they come up, our team prevents downtime and ensures efficiency during the 24-hour-a-day harvest.

Their hard work often goes unnoticed but is essential to our success and the journey from seed to cup.

Delivering Aloha Worldwide

E-Commerce

When you order Kauai Coffee online, you're not just getting a bag of coffee – you're getting a little piece of Kauai and a whole lot of aloha packed with care by our E-Commerce team. They are one of the final steps in the journey from seed to cup and take care of,

1. Order fulfillment: E-commerce ensures every order is carefully packed and shipped on time. They answer the phone, respond to your emails, and chat with you online if you need help with an order. They go the extra mile to make your Kauai Coffee experience a great one.
2. Global reach: Whether you are in Honolulu or New York, Sydney or Singapore, the E-Commerce team's efforts bring the spirit of aloha to our 'ohana worldwide.

E Komo Mai (Welcome!)

Visitor Center Team

For those lucky enough to visit Kauai Coffee, you know the warm hospitality of our Visitor Center team. They are known to leave a lasting impression and turn visitors into lifelong fans!

1. Tours and tastings: Our Visitor Center team guides guests through the estate, offering tours and tastings that educate and delight. There's nothing better than sipping 100% Kauai Coffee straight from the source and served with a smile!
2. Sharing knowledge: With a deep understanding of our processes and products, this team helps every visitor connect with the land and the people and find the perfect coffee.

Passion from Seed to Cup

Everyone at Kauai Coffee

From Kauai to your cup, every step of the process is powered by dedicated hands and hearts. Our teams work tirelessly to ensure that every sip of Kauai Coffee reflects the care, quality, and aloha we're known for. Whether you visit us on Kauai or explore our coffees online and sip from afar, know that behind every bean is a passionate team working to share a little bit of Kauai with the world.

Taste the difference and aloha today. Shop online or stop by the Visitor Center to experience Kauai Coffee firsthand.