The Origins of Hawaiian Coffee
The rich, alluring aroma. The deep, distinct flavor. The beautiful, mesmerizing color. Hawaiian coffee has been widely recognized the world over as being one of the most delicious and exquisite cups of coffee found anywhere in the world. The iconic and unique flavor profiles have earned Hawaiian coffee global recognition, with coffee fanatics traveling the world over in order to experience it for themselves firsthand.
How is it, then, that a product that has become so synonymous with Hawaii and Hawaiian culture is not native to the Hawaiian Islands?
While coffee might not have originated on the Hawaiian Islands, the fertile lands and ideal growing conditions provided the perfect backdrop for Island natives to develop the best coffee the world has ever known. After procuring coffee plants while aboard the British warship the H.M.S. Blonde, Oahu governor Chief Boki planted the maiden crop of coffee in the Manoa Valley on Oahu. The plants almost immediately flourished and were rapidly introduced to other communities throughout the island, including the Kona Coast – home of the world-renowned and iconic Kona Coffee.
Coffee Beans Growing Conditions
The growing conditions in Hawaii proved to be some of the best the world had ever seen, and the only climate within the United States that supported the growth of coffee plants. As the popularity of Hawaiian coffee grew, the communal pride and appreciation for the plant grew with it. Islands boasted on their unique flavor profiles and worked tirelessly to develop roasting and blending methods that delivered the ideal cup of coffee. Today, Hawaii continues to be the only producer of coffee beans within the entire United States – a fact that often goes unrecognized by the average coffee consumer.
"Coffee makes the blood move faster, it makes its driving forces flow out, exerting a kind of stimulation that aids digestion, chases away sleep, and allows us to exercise the cerebral faculties for longer"
Honoré de Balzac
Final considerations about Hawaiian coffee
The history of coffee in Hawaii is almost as rich and delicious as the brew we all revere so greatly. True, coffee plants might not have been a native crop within the Hawaiian Islands, but their place in Hawaiian culture and community is something that will remain cherished, appreciated, and celebrated for generations to come. Whether you are surfing off the North Shore of Oahu, watching the rain drip from your front porch in Seattle, or warming up after a brisk day of skiing in Maine – Hawaiian coffee delivers the soothing boost of warmth, comfort, and flavor that elevates any moment and helps you create memories that will last a lifetime.
