Photo Courtesy of Royal Kona Coffee Co.
CAPTAIN COOK, HI — After leaving the bustling Kona business district and driving south towards Ka’u on the Big Island of Hawai’i, the scenery gives way to lush greenery and nearly unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean below. Soon enough, one can spot multiple copper-red buildings. In these buildings and on its grounds is coffee magic being conjured up. They have arrived at none other than Royal Kona Coffee Center, Captain Cook’s mecca for coffee.
It Starts with the Cherry
Royal Kona Coffee delivers in every part of the coffee production process. Local farmers grow Arabica cherries on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes. This environment with regular moisture, humidity, elevation, and volcanic soil is conducive to near-perfect growth. Local farmers bring in their bright red cherries by truckload to the Royal Kona Coffee Center to begin the production process.
At the center, the beans are separated from the pulp (fruit), dried on racks laid on the floor, and are graded for size. The biggest and best beans are packed and shipped to Honolulu. There, they are roasted so that moisture is driven off, ground up, packed, and shipped back to its roots in Captain Cook, as well as to Hawaii’s best restaurants and hotels.
Photo Courtesy of Royal Kona Coffee Co.
More in Every Pour
Royal Kona Coffee Center prides itself on being community-oriented with great foundations in Aloha. Since it started in 1969, farmers have shared their berries and the locals have come out to get their morning coffee fix. This could be through blends from the 100% Kona line, where only prime Kona coffee is sold; the Royal Kona Flavor line, where there the blends have 10% Kona Coffee and Hawaiian-inspired flavors; or the Royal Kona Classic line, where 10% Kona Coffee blends and various roast levels are sold. Regardless of the one that the customer chooses to indulge in, they are expected to be mind-blown by the taste quality and the attention to detail.
Cold Brew
The center doesn’t only have bags for sale in their shop; they also have a cafe where customers can enjoy freshly brewed coffee. For HAF’s Localicious/Food-A-Go-Go Week this year, Royal Kona Coffee has a BOGO special. Purchase one 100% Kona Cold Brew and get one (of lesser or equal value) for free. Proceeds from each cup go towards funding K-12 agricultural education programs statewide.
Visit the Royal Kona Coffee Center!
When customers come in for their cold brew, they can look forward to basking in lush greenery and looking out at the glistening ocean from the cafe’s patio. They are invited to take a tour of the center, where they can see how coffee beans are separated, dried, selected, and packed. And soon, they can look forward to touring the lava tube on its grounds as well!
For More Information:
Hours: Monday-Friday from 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Address: 83-5427 Mamalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook, HI 96704
Website: www.royalkonacoffee.com
Instagram: @royalkonacoffee
Facebook: Royal Kona Coffee
Twitter: @RoyalKonaHi