About Organic Kona Coffee. On the west side of the Hawaii Island there are about 650 Kona coffee estates. Most of these 3 - 5 acre farms have been passed down through generations, where coffee is still grown as it always has been - traditionally. Over twenty years ago the status quo began to change. New owners changed to growing Kona coffee organically, complying with the strict rules of certifying agencies. Organic farmers cannot spray weeds or throw synthetic fertilizers. Instead they mow, whack and pull the weeds and use expensive, hard-to-find organic fertilizers.

Today there are around 60 Certified Organic Kona Coffee Estates. We have found several top organic growers to partner with us. They know that we will coax the very best flavors out of every bean with our careful, tightly controlled pulping, sun-drying, and roasting processes.

Growing Kona coffee organically benefits the environment and coffee experts are finding that it tastes better too. Consider this - in seven out of the past 10 years it’s been an organic estate that wins first place!

Head Bean & Bean Marketing Gus and Cynthia

AVAILABILITY. IN-STOCK We’re predicting that we have enough parchment and green, to last until the next the 2010 harvest is harvested and rested. We are planning on a smaller 2010 crop due to the severe drought effect on the trees throughout Kona.

THE ESTATE. This is Pele Plantations headquarters, purchased by Gus and Cynthia Brocksen in 1989, and home of our central wet milling and sun-drying decks. The farm and processing facility, both HOFA Certified Organic, are open for tours, giving visitors the chance to walk through the 1,200 trees that overlook Kealakekua Bay. A flock of sheep are wander around four acres of Mac Nut trees to eat weeds and entertain folks on tour. This farm might have the best view in Kona.

CUPPING PROFILE. As posted in www.coffeereview.com by co-founder Kenneth Davids this is “A purists cup: big, authoritative, powerfully but sweetly acidy, complete. The (Pele) roast rounds the dry fruit tones toward chocolate but leaves the robustly rich acidity intact. 92 points (range from 70 to 100).

AWARDS. This estate has earned 1st Place in 1998 plus Finalist (top 15) in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008, and 2009 at the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Contests.

¹Kenneth Davids, www.coffeereview.com

Son, Jesse trains pet Labradors to pick high cherries


Golden Turtle Farm

AVAILABILITY. OUT OF STOCK.

THE ESTATE. Owners Eric Mader and Christie Carrico bought this 5 acre certified organic farm in 2004. At Honu Kula a variety of fruit, such as banana, papaya, lilikoi, avocado, citrus, guava, tree tomatoes and pineapple, are grown along with one acre of Coffea arabica Kona typica trees. The coffee is grown in rich volcanic soil at an elevation of 2,200 ft., which works to slow down the beans maturation, increasing the size and sugar content of the cherries. The family picks their own cherries at the peak of ripeness. It is usually son Jesse who brings us the days pickings and they are always perfect red.

OUR CUPPING NOTES. We were not surprise to detect, and enjoy, cupping characteristics very similar to Kona Old Style Estate since Honu Kula is located near by. This is a classic Kona – lots of sweet floral aroma. The coffee is mellow and velvety smooth in the cup with plenty of body and full-flavored character that hits the sweet, honey-like notes in the finish.

AWARDS. Finalist (top 15 out of 55 contestants), 2008 Gevalia Cupping

Top 15 Winners at the Gevalia 2008 cupping. Eric Mader is top row, 3rd from right

Una Greenaway, Leon Rosner


Gus, Una, Cynthia at 2007 Cupping

AVAILABILITY. OUT OF STOCK. We are currently out of stock. Keep checking back for availability.

THE ESTATE. Una Greenaway and Leon Rosner have been growing and nurturing coffee at 2,000 ft. elevation, on their beautiful estate in Kealakekua since 1977. In 2007 they entered the Gevalia Cupping for the first time and took home 1st Place. A walk through this estate is a tropical dream with 1200 coffee trees, planted circa 1895, producing very large Kona coffee beans, thriving under the partial shade cover of Avocado, Mac Nut, Banana, Chocolate, Kukui Nut, and Koa trees.

CUPPING FROM THE GEVALIA JUDGES. When this estate was crowned 1st Place at the 2007 Gevalia Cupping Contest, one of the four professional judges, Sherri Johns, stated to the West Hawaii Today newspaper reporters
“This coffee has a subtle jasmine floral and sweet key-lime notes as if it had been dipped in honey. A lingering butter finish. A classic Kona with perfect balance, body, flavor and acidity that is not overwhelming so it can be enjoyed all day. Quintessential." We agree, this is truly one of the best we have ever tasted.

AWARDS. November 2007 Gevalia Cupping Contest. Rumors were spreading among the judges after the first’s days announcement of the Finalist (top 15) estates. “One estate cupped superior to all the others.” After re-cupping the Finalists on day two, the 1^st Place Ribbon was awarded to Kona Old Style Estate, out of 60 competitors. In 2008, it placed 2^nd , again out of 60 at the Gevalia contest. Most recently, in 2009, the Gevalia judges recognized this estate as a Finalist (Top 15).

HCA (Hawaii Coffee Association) Cupping Contest. The latest triumph came in July 2010 at the Hawaii Coffee Association (HCA) annual meeting. A different group of professional judges blind cupped the entrants from each Hawaiian Island - Kauai, Maui, Oahu, Kona, and the Kau District on the Big Island. Once again Kona Old style was awarded First Place, among the 25 Kona Estates entered.

Pat Pearlman's Tall Trees Win 1st Place


Pat, Cynthia, Miss Kona Coffee 2006

AVAILABILITY. In STOCK We are pleased to announce that we have enough green to roast your orders with no limit on amount of pounds ordered or roast.

THE ESTATE. Pat Pearlman's two acre estate is located at 1900 ft. elevation up 'Telephone Exchange Road' in Honaunau. The land is steep, but terraced to create three levels where her Coffea arabica Kona typica coffee trees thrive. The coffee trees grow up to 20 ft. high in the deep verdant soil, making it difficult at times to pull down the vertical branches, loaded with giant red cherries, for picking.

CUPPING FROM GEVALIA JUDGES. This is one of our most celebrated, consistently recognized estates. Feedback from many Pearl Estate enthusiasts confirm that Pat’s Kona coffee will meet your highest expectations. It’s fragrance and aroma are extraordinary, body is full and mouthfeel silky. The flavor is saturated with a natural sweetness which rounds towards fruit and cocoa, ending in very satisfying finish.’

AWARDS. At the prestigious Gevalia Cupping Contests, Pearl Estate Organic is a consistent winner, year after year. Pearl Estate brought home the 1st Place honors in 2006 (among 71 contestants), 3rd Place in 2004 and Finalist (top 15) in 2002, 2007 and 2009. For the coffee lover, this means that coffee that is enjoyed one year is very likely to be just as enjoyable in years to come.

Gate

AVAILABILITY. Out of stock until the 2011 crop is picked and roasted.

THE ESTATE. This is the same estate that we used to call 'Panda's Bamboo Ranch', When the Fosters left, the acreage went wild, and the property was Foreclosed. In 2009, it took Gary and Luanne Spicer new owners) to clean it up, and follow their vision. This estate is Certified Organic, by OrganicCertifiers.com in California. Three acres of 760 coffee trees grow on a 4 acre estate, which is nestled among the fertile hills of Captain Cook, near the 105 Mile Marker. The elevation is perfect for growing Kona coffee at 1960 feet from sea level. Gary Spicer left a Hardware store and lumber yard in Modoc (a reservation of Modoc Indians live nearby). Luanne is a Speech Therapist and found a position for her in Kona. Gary still manages the store from afar.

CUPPING FROM GEVALIA JUDGES. This coffee is real smooth and deep - the aroma, taste, and aftertaste. It is a classic Kona - aromatic, with an aroma that is intoxicating. The flavor is deep rich, with a and natural sweetness similar to Honey.