About Organic Kona Coffee. On the west side of the Hawaii Island there are about 650 Kona coffee estates. Most of these 3 - 5 acre farms have been passed down through generations, where coffee is still grown as it always has been - traditionally. Over twenty years ago the status quo began to change. New owners changed to growing Kona coffee organically, complying with the strict rules of certifying agencies. Organic farmers cannot spray weeds or throw synthetic fertilizers. Instead they mow, whack and the pull the weeds and use expensive, hard-to-find organic fertilizers.

Today there are around 60 Certified Organic Kona Coffee Estates. We have found several top organic growers to partner with us. They know that we will coax the very best flavors out of every bean with our careful, tightly controlled pulping, sun-drying, and roasting processes.

Growing Kona coffee organically benefits the environment and coffee experts are finding that it tastes better too. Over the past 10 years, at the annual blind Gevalia Kona Cupping Contests, organic estates have won first place honors for seven of those years. Of our organic estates, three have won first place ribbons. Each delivers the flavor and aroma you been searching for.

Head Bean Gus and Cynthia

AVAILABILITY. IN-STOCK We have a small amount to roast now and lots more on the trees and in the pipeline.

THE ESTATE. This is Pele Plantations headquarters, purchased by Gus and Cynthia Brocksen in 1989, and home of our central wet milling and sun-drying decks. The farm and processing facility, both HOFA Certified Organic, are open for tours, giving visitors the chance to walk through the 1,200 trees that overlook Kealakekua Bay. A flock of sheep are wander around four acres of Mac Nut trees to eat weeds and entertain folks on tour. This farm might have the best view in Kona.

CUPPING PROFILE. As posted in www.coffeereview.com by co-founder Kenneth Davids this is “A purists cup: big, authoritative, powerfully but sweetly acidy, complete. The (Pele) roast rounds the dry fruit tones toward chocolate but leaves the robustly rich acidity intact. 92 points (range from 70 to 100).

AWARDS. This estate has earned 1st Place in 1998 plus Finalist (top 15) in 1999, 2002, and 2004 at the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Contests.

¹Kenneth Davids, www.coffeereview.com

Tane Datta adds his organic expertise to Kona coffee


Lois-ellin and Kyle Datta

AVAILABILITY. IN STOCK. It looks like we will be able shift seamlessly from the 2007 harvest to the 2008, of which, as of early November 50% is still on the trees. It looks like there just will not be enough of this tasty estate to last, so get it while you can.

THE ESTATE. This jewel, named after the Hawaiian Pueo, is a one acre farm at 1700 ft. elevation. Lois-ellin Datta purchased this prime coffee land in 2001, and hand cleared the heritage trees, planted 80 years earlier. Today the farming is done by two sons - Kyle and Tane Datta. Tane is well known for supplying chefs at Hawaii’s top eateries with organic herbs, vegetables and fruits grown on his own and 35 partner farms.

CUPPING PROFILE. Gus was blown away with this estate. The acidity doesn’t hide, making the flavors and aromas crisp. In the fragrance, aroma, and flavor there is a combination of sweet, light notes of oranges and dark chocolate. In the mouth there is plenty of rich creamy body, and there is a lingering finish.

Robert and Dawn Barnes nurture 6,000 trees


Geese love the weeds

AVAILABILITY. This estate is IN STOCK NOW, and because of it’s size, we do not anticipate a shortage. It was a quirk of fate that led us to this ‘hot buy’, which we snapped up immediately. Not often does one get the opportunity to add one of Kona’s very best estates to their roster.

THE ESTATE. This breathtaking estate is nestled at the end of a rugged 4-wheel road in South Kona. Wild orchids, hapu'u ferns, and a gaggle of geese can be spotted around 6,000 coffee trees. Owners Robert and Dawn Barnes went from a 18 year adventure as linguists, writing the first alphabet for one of the 800 languages in Papua New Guinea, to 10 years leading a website management software business, to growing arabica Kona typica coffee in Kona. Their beautiful 42 acre parcel ascends up the slopes of Mauna Loa volcano, adjacent to the South Kona Forest Reserve, at a 20 % grade. The terrain is made up of a series hills and valleys starting at 1750 ft rising into the clouds at 2250 ft. elevation. The coffee trees thrive in the cool temperatures which contributes to slow growth and large sized Kona coffee beans.

CUPPING PROFILE. This is one of the best estate coffees Kona has to offer. You can’t miss its powerful fragrance and aroma. In the cup the texture is rich and deep, yet soft and creamy. It is naturally sweet with quiet acidity, full body, and classic Kona flavors are enhanced by fruity notes suggestive of apricot. A buttery finish lingers a long time.

AWARDS. Gevalia Kona Cupping Contest Finalist (top 15 out of 55 contestants), 2002, 2003, 2006 & 2007. First, Kona-Coffee Council's Cream of the Crop Contest, Organic Division People's Choice.

Isabella, Kollette, Lucia, Jason Stith

AVAILABILITY. IN STOCK. We have plenty of stock now which should last harvest 2008/09 harvest is ready to roast.

THE ESTATE. This is our newest discovery. One Sunday, at a new Farmer’s Market in Captain Cook, Cynthia met Kollette Stith, owner (along with husband Jason) of Kona Rose Coffee. Their 10 acre farm is less than one mile from RainForest Estate in South Kona. Both estates exist in an oasis of fertile soil, known as a ‘kipuka’, where land was spared by lava flows that surround all sides of them.

The Stiths were Peace Corps volunteers in El Salvador for 2 ½ years, and after spending six years developing a market for coffee grown in the Zona Alta region of El Salvador, they moved to their own farm in Hawaii. The coffee trees at this abandoned farm were reclaimed and are today producing beans with quality that stands with the best. Like the judges at the 2007 Gevalia Cupping, we were delighted with the character of this coffee in the cup.

CUPPING PROFILE. A classic Kona with a sweet-toned, deep aroma with distinct orange notes, hint of nuts, and subtle floral tones that continue in the cup. You'll sense plenty of body and flavors that are sweet, balanced and velvety smooth. A delicate acidity develops an impression of honey and orange in the finish.

AWARDS. Finalist (top 15 out of 55 contestants), 2007 Gevalia Cupping

Judi Guthrie Hand-Picks
Only Her Reddest Cherries

AVAILABILITY. IN STOCK. We’ve scored enough cherries from the 08/09 harvest to start roasting this estate again, and Judi is still picking. We hope she delivers enough cherries to our mill this fall to cover your demand.

THE ESTATE. Judi perfected organic farming techniques for 20 years on her 33 acre homestead near Eugene, Oregon before buying her 4 acre coffee farm in North Kona. She was drawn to Kona, with the climate of her choice, where organic crops could be grown year round. She pulled vines to uncover the existing Coffea arabica Kona typica trees and planted more so now there are 2,000 trees thriving in rich volcanic soil at an elevation of 1700 ft. Judi has a passion for growing Kona coffee according to strict organic standards and for producing a superior crop that is conscientiously grown to serve customers who value organic products.

OUR CUPPING NOTES. Since its fall 2007 introduction we roasted and shipped Judi’s coffee to hundreds of customers, who keep coming back for more. Their feedback agrees with our own assessment. The flavor does not hide in Judi’s Kona coffee. You’ll notice sweetness tending to chocolate in the aromatics that extends to the cup. Creamy body and a nice balance between sweet and a hint of burgundy wine which becomes more pronounced as it cools.

Pat Pearlman's Tall Trees Win 1st Place


Cynthia, Pat, Miss Kona Coffee 2006

AVAILABILITY. SOLD OUT until mid-November 2009. The amount of cherry Pat delivered to us during the 2008/09 harvest was quite small due to radical pruning. We still have a limited supply of green held in reserve for our Coffee Club members. We are hoping the upcoming harvest is bountiful.

THE ESTATE. Pat Pearlman's two acre estate is located at 1900 ft. elevation up 'Telephone Exchange Road' in Honaunau. The land is steep, but terraced to create three levels where her Coffea arabica Kona typica coffee trees thrive. The coffee trees grow up to 20 ft. high in the deep verdant soil, making it difficult at times to pull down the vertical branches, loaded with giant red cherries, for picking.

CUPPING FROM GEVALIA JUDGES. This is our most celebrated, consistent winning estate. At the prestigious Gevalia Cupping Contests, Pearl Estate Organic received 1st Place honors in 2006 (among 71 contestants), 3rd Place in 2004 and Finalist (top 15) in 2002 and 2007.

Una Greenaway, Leon Rosner


Gus, Una, Cynthia at 2007 Cupping

AVAILABILITY. OUT OF STOCK FOR NOW. We may have some green to roast by mid-November, after the contest. We do not anticipate delivery of cherry at our mill until December, and then only a portion of the crop. Please call us at 800-366-0487 about availability.

THE ESTATE. Una Greenaway and Leon Rosner have been growing organic Kona coffee at their 2,000-foot elevation estate since 1977. Their 1200 coffee trees, that were planted circa 1895, produce large cherries under the partial shade cover of Avocado, Kukui, and Koa trees.

CUPPING FROM THE GEVALIA JUDGES. This 2007 winning coffee had flavor and aroma clearly distinguishable from all 66 entrants. According to Judge Sherri Johns "This coffee has a subtle jasmine floral and sweet key-lime notes as if it had been dipped in honey. A lingering butter finish. A classic Kona with perfect balance, body, flavor and acidity that is not overwhelming so it can be enjoyed all day. Quintessential."

AWARDS. This is our latest example of the effect of combining perfectly grown and picked cherries with Pele Plantations’ cut-no-corners central mill processing. On the final day, Kona Old Style was crowned 1st out of 66 entries