From Bean to Cup: The Top 5 Kona Coffee Plantations to Visit
Incredible beaches, exotic landscapes, and fantastic coffee… is there anything Hawaii doesn’t offer? Among its prized exports, Kona coffee stands out as a rare gem cultivated exclusively on the volcanic slopes of Mauna Loa, within the Kona District of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its distinctive flavor that’s as vibrant as the island itself, Kona’s coffee farms offer a taste of Hawaii in every sip.
If you’re a coffee lover planning a visit to Hawaii’s Big Island, adding a Kona coffee plantation to your itinerary is a must. These farms provide an intimate look at the coffee production process, from seed to cup.
In this article, we’ll explore what to expect on a Kona coffee tour, the Big Island’s top five coffee plantations for sampling world-class coffee, and offer tips to enhance your experience.
What To Expect on a Kona Coffee Tour
The first thing to keep in mind before booking a Big Island coffee tour is that there isn’t just one coffee farm in Kona. The island is home to over 600 coffee plantations dotting its tropical landscape, many of which are small, family-owned farms that still operate with traditional methods passed down through generations. And while not every farm is open to tours, there are dozens that do offer experiences ranging from short visits to comprehensive, more immersive tours.
During Kona coffee tours, you’ll typically start with a walk through the plantation’s coffee field. There, you’ll learn about the environmental factors that contribute to the exceptional quality of Kona coffee. Guides, who are often the farmers themselves, will explain how the combination of volcanic soil, elevation, and the region’s specific microclimate creates perfect growing conditions.
Most times, the tour then moves to the processing facilities, where you can observe the transformation of the coffee cherry into the bean. You’ll see the different stages of processing, such as pulping, fermenting, and drying. Many tours also include a visit to the roasting room, where you can witness (and smell) the beans being expertly roasted to bring out their unique flavors.
The highlight of any Kona coffee plantation tour is, of course, the tasting session at the end, where you’ll have the opportunity to sample a variety of exclusive blends and single-origin brews to experience what makes Kona coffee one of the best coffees in the world. Most plantations also offer the chance to purchase freshly roasted beans from the coffee farm, Kona artisanal products, and souvenirs.
Hawaii’s 5 Best Coffee Farm Tours, Kona Edition
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or are just curious about how coffee is made, a visit to a Kona coffee tour on the Big Island is the perfect opportunity to explore the heritage and craftsmanship behind one of the world’s finest coffees. Here are five amazing Kona coffee plantations providing exceptional tours and tasting experiences.
1. Hula Daddy Kona Coffee
Location: Holualoa, Kona District
Hula Daddy Kona Coffee is an eco-friendly coffee plantation known for its commitment to quality and sustainability. The folks over at Hula Daddy offer one-hour group tours that take you through their coffee orchards and small-batch roasting rooms. At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a tasting session with various award-winning coffees.
Highlights:
- Group tours with expert guides
- Award-winning coffee tastings
- Breathtaking views of the Kona landscape
2. Greenwell Farms
Location: Kealakekua, Kona District
Greenwell Farms is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Kona. Their tours include a free guided walk through their coffee fields and a paid Deluxe Tour & Tasting, which gives you access to many places the complimentary tour doesn’t go, including the cupping room, roasting room, farm, nursery, and dry mill. They also offer manual brewing classes and private tours where you’ll be able to sample a variety of coffees at their tasting station.
Highlights:
- Free guided tours of the plantation
- Brewing classes and private tours
- Extensive coffee-tasting options
3. Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation
Location: Kaloko Cloud Forest, Kona District
Mountain Thunder Coffee Plantation is unique for its location in the tropical Kaloko Cloud Forest. They offer free guided educational tours every day of the week, no reservations required. The tours take about 20 minutes and visitors can learn about how Kona coffee is grown, explore their orchards, learn about the processing methods, and enjoy samples of their organically-grown coffee. They also offer a self-guided walking tour with views of three lava tubes, which costs $10 per family group of any size.
Highlights:
- Free educational tours every day
- Unique cloud forest location
- Optional self-guided lava tube tours
4. Kona Joe Coffee
Location: Kealakekua, Kona District
A pioneering coffee plantation, Kona Joe Coffee is known for using a trellising method, which involves growing coffee on trellises similar to grapevines. This technique, which produces coffee with a unique flavor profile, has earned Kona Joe many awards over the years. Their tours include a walk through their coffee fields, a visit to the processing and roasting areas, and a sampling session where you can taste their unique blends and single-origin coffees.
Highlights:
- Innovative coffee-growing methods
- Award-winning coffee
- Three different tours
5. Rooster Farms
Location: Honaunau, Kona District
Rooster Farms is an organic coffee plantation with small-scale, sustainable coffee production at the world’s oldest certified organic Kona coffee farms. Their tours are relaxed and informative, focusing on their organic farming practices and the journey of their coffee from bean to cup. During your visit, you can enjoy tastings of their coffee, which is known for its smooth, rich flavors.
Highlights:
- Organic coffee farming
- Informative and relaxed tours
- Learn about permaculture and how their coffee is grown alongside other plants to complement its taste
Tips for Planning Your Visit to a Kona Coffee Farm
To make the most of your visit to a Kona coffee farm, keep these tips in mind:
Understand Your Tour Options:
Different farms offer different types of tours, ranging from brief visits to in-depth experiences. Research each farm’s offerings to choose a tour that matches your interest and time availability.
Schedule in Advance:
While some plantations offer free guided tours that don’t require reservations, some of the most popular farms do require or recommend making reservations in advance, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Try to Visit During Harvest Season:
The coffee harvest season in Kona typically runs from August to January. Visiting during this time allows you to see the harvest process in action, from picking the ripe coffee cherries to processing and drying the beans.
Respect the Environment:
Coffee farms are working agricultural spaces. Be mindful of where you walk and follow the farm’s guidelines to avoid damaging plants or disrupting farm operations.
Plan Your Hawaiian Adventure Today
Coffee enthusiasts are constantly looking for the next best coffee, and if you’re planning a vacation to Hawaii, you’re in luck because Kona coffee is among the finest in the world.
The Big Island is home to a number of coffee farms that give you an inside look at the meticulous process of coffee production. Renting a car from Discount Hawaii Rental will give you the freedom to explore these farms and fully immerse yourself in the Kona coffee experience.
Plan your visit today and sample one of the best coffees in the world in one of the most beautiful places on earth.