Koa Coffee Plantation facts for kids
Koa Coffee Plantation used to grow and process special coffee called Kona coffee. It was located on Hawaiʻi island in the United States. In 2009, a company called Paradise Beverages, also known as Hawaii Coffee Company, bought it. Today, Hawaii Coffee Company roasts Koa Coffee Plantation's coffee in Honolulu. Their main office is in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Contents
The Story of Koa Coffee
Koa Coffee Plantation started in 1997. A person named Marin Artukovich created it. The farm was on the western side of Mauna Loa mountain in Captain Cook, Hawaii. It began as a small business, almost like a backyard project.
Growing the Business
In its first year, Koa Coffee Plantation produced about 38,000 pounds of coffee. That's a lot of coffee beans! The amount of coffee they made almost doubled every year. By 2010, they were producing over 700,000 pounds of coffee.
Changes in Ownership
In 2007, Marin Artukovich sold most of the company. It was bought by Kona's Best Natural Coffee. This new owner continued to operate under the name Koa Coffee Plantation. Then, in 2009, Hawaii Coffee Company in Honolulu became the owner.
Award-Winning Coffee
Koa Coffee Plantation became very well-known in the late 1990s and early 2000s. They were famous for selling only 100% Kona coffee. This coffee was special because it was hand-picked.
Special Coffee Types
They offered different kinds of Kona coffee. This included organic Kona coffee, which means it was grown without certain chemicals. They also had a "heritage blend" called Grande Domaine Kona. This coffee came from trees that were planted way back in 1918!
How They Made Coffee
The plantation used special equipment to process their coffee. They had a "wet mill" from Colombia and a "dry mill" from Brazil. These machines helped prepare the coffee beans. They also kept their green coffee beans in a special storage area. This area controlled the temperature and humidity. This helped keep the coffee fresh in Captain Cook, Hawaii.
Awards and Recognition
Koa Coffee Plantation won many awards for its quality.
- In 2001, Forbes magazine named it "America's best coffee."
- In 2002, it won the Gevalia Cup.
- In 2004, it won the Pacific Coast Coffee Association Coffee of the Year Award.
Koa Coffee Plantation was also a member of important coffee groups. These included the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the Kona Coffee Council, and the Hawaii Coffee Association.
External links
- Koa Coffee Website
- Sunshower Kona Coffee Website
- Japanese Partner Link
- Hawaii Coffee Association
- 100% Kona Coffee
