Other than Lava Java (right on the beach with an incredible view), there just wasn't much to crow about in the way of Kona coffee houses. There are very few coffee shops around the town and the ones that are located along the main tourist strip, really don't do the best job brewing the beans that these hardworking farmers spend years trying to perfect. I found it rather odd and a little disappointing. As a result, we drank Nespresso cappuccinos most mornings (thank goodness I packed that machine with us. See previous blog post) and only drank Kona coffee in Kona a few occasions.
I guess it's like anything else, you send your good stuff elsewhere.
Lava Java in Kailua
View from Lanai at Lava Java
3 comments:
Recently a friend was there and sent me a pound. Told me the same thing as you.....couldn't believe the quality of what was dispersed. To add to it, the people wanting it, actually need to know how it should be tasting, which most seem to only know brewed coffee from gas stations etc.
If I hear one more person tell me about how good a cap or latte is from a gas station ; (
Grrrrrrrr
Guess around midnight during a long road trip any caffeinated beverage will do the job...that's what the gas stations found out long ago :-)
The Kona coffee availability as a well done beverage in Kona itself is certainly a bit troubling. There's a small coffee shop in Kealakekua, called Brewalalai, where the owners always have at least 4 or 5 real Konas for you to try. Most restaurants, hotels and stores are firmly in the hand of the "10% Kona Coffee Blenders". That is 90% cheap foreign coffee sold at inflated prices to tourists. We KKona coffee farmers fight tooth and nails against it and will evtl get them made illegal. In the meantime search for the small farms, call them, talk to the farmers and visit them when you are here. MAny are easily accessible and you can learn much about our coffee culture, region and economics.
I prefer the taste from the Colombian coffee, this tastes so bitter don't you think?
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