Planning a trip to Kauai? Don’t miss a tour of the Kauai Coffee Company. Explore lush coffee fields and taste Hawaii’s finest beans.
You know I love seeing where our food comes from—and coffee is no exception. During a recent trip to Kauai, I had the chance to visit the largest coffee farm in Hawaii: Kauai Coffee Company. And let me tell you, it was an unforgettable experience that completely changed the way I look at my morning cup.
The farm stretches across 3,100 acres with over 4 million coffee trees rooted in rich, volcanic soil. It’s not just beautiful—it’s productive. Each of those trees takes four to five years before it starts bearing fruit, but once it does, it’ll continue producing for up to 50 years. Talk about patience and payoff!
We took the free self-guided walking tour, which winds through rows of thriving coffee trees and offers signs filled with fun facts about the entire process—from planting to roasting. One of the most impressive parts? During harvest season, the farm uses machines designed for blueberry picking to gently shake ripe cherries off the branches. And they don’t mess around—these machines can help harvest nearly half a million pounds of coffee cherries per day!
After harvest, the beans are dried, milled, and roasted right there on the island. You can actually smell the roasting process as you walk the grounds. And here’s a fun tip I learned: the longer you roast coffee, the less caffeine it has. So if you’re looking for a stronger kick, go for a medium roast. If you want bold flavor with less buzz, a dark roast is your friend.
This visit was more than just educational—it was a reminder of the time, care, and craft that goes into something many of us take for granted every morning. Next time you sip your favorite brew, think of the farmers, the trees, and the rich Hawaiian soil that make it possible.
If you’re ever on Kauai, add this to your must-visit list. It’s a perfect stop for coffee lovers, families, and anyone who enjoys learning where their food—and joy—comes from.
Alexandra Rae is an agriculture expert and marketer sharing food and farm stories from the ground up through photography. Her passion is to connect consumer and farmer through her blog and social media. Learn more…