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Ka'u Coffee from Ka'u Farmers' Co-op, Big Island
BoldJava
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Posted on 03/29/2009 6:51 PM
Hawaiian Coffee

Had a good chat with Lorie, owner/manager of Rusty's Farm. http://rustyshawa.... Her farm is 'up the hill,' near Pahala (south end of the island) whereas Kona is the west side of the island, around the Captain Cook area.

http://www.ovcham...island.jpg

Ka'u has two coffee growing regions:
^ Lower Pear Tree, harvesting Aug through Jan. Avg elevation: 1600'
^ Cloud Rest area, harvesting Nov through May. Avg elevation 2200'

Lorie (and all Ka'u farmers) process their own beans, unlike Kona where many haul it in to a large processor like Greenwell. The Ka'u region hopes to get a processing mill going to help improve the quality, though it doesn't sound imminent. Lorie is the only Ka'u farmer who roasts, using a 4 kilo Brazilian roaster.

Most farms are Typica (Lorie's were hand planted Guat typica, by her husband shortly before his early death). She also has a few red bourbon, yellow and red caturra, and catuai, as well as some 'Old Hawaiian Typica.'

I am buying some co-op beans from her and will post some notes at a later date. Taxes call.

B|Java

Stay tuned. B|Java
Edited by BoldJava on 03/29/2009 6:51 PM
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Dave Borton
Milwaukee, WI
 
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