Category: The Art of Coffee

Honestly, it was never really a major consideration. There is always coffee somewhere, right? The diner, the gas station, the free breakfast at the Inn, drive-thru, why would one even worry about such a thing? Then, 6-7 years back, I fell deep into the coffee rabbit hole. I became semi-obsessed about understanding coffee, where it comes from, how it is processed and roasted, how to make it well. Fast forward to today. Now when I am making my travel plans and deciding what to pack, coffee is at the top Read More…

Amongst coffee legends that I have accumulated over the years, there is one story I love to tell again and again because it changed the world of coffee, especially here in the United States. Although this tale crosses multiple borders and includes many facets of the coffee world, it is predominantly a tale of romance, and like many great romances, it starts in Italy. Before we get there, though, join me in 1966, in Berkeley, California, on the corner of Walnut & Vine, as Dutch immigrant Alfred Peet opens his Read More…

When touring in Hawaii, the purpose is to enjoy happy days, see new things, and be inspired by the beauty of the islands and the warmth of the people. For some, that means surfing, snorkeling, and hiking, and for others sitting by the pool at the resort. Expanding one’s horizons through travel is one of life’s greatest treasures and as both a frequent traveler/tourist and a long-time tour guide, I’d like to share a few perfect days with you. One of the keys here is to allow plenty of time Read More…

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may be wondering what cool little things you can do to surprise and delight your sweetheart. Certainly, there are big ticket gestures we all know. Crossing something off the bucket list together, the romantic weekend at the spa, even the romantic dinner. However, if you’ve been in a relationship for a while you may find that the little things and small intimate gestures really say the most. As Valentine’s Day is on a Friday this year, you may have to work it into your regular Read More…

Wanna hear a joke? Decaf. (Not anymore) In the days of Sanka, the humor in the line above was real. The lowest quality beans, making the lowest quality decaf. Times have changed, and whether you drink coffee to wake up or wake up to drink coffee, there has been a revolution in decaf coffee. Modern technology can bring you a great-tasting decaffeinated cup of Joe that won’t introduce other harmful chemicals to your body. If your doctor has advised you to cut the caffeine, read on for great news. Let’s Read More…

A few months back, after making our way back to the gift shop from a tour, a young couple approached me and told me for the last 10 years they have grown coffee as a houseplant. I’m not sure why, maybe because in Hawaii coffee grows outside, but I had never considered the possibility of growing coffee inside as a houseplant. I was fascinated and had to look deeper. Now if you don’t have houseplants and you are wondering if you should get some (and I mean real live plants) Read More…

Pairing coffee with food is an adventure. Those who read this blog know that I take my coffee seriously. To me, the word “coffee” doesn’t mean a general cup of dark, bitter, liquid caffeine as in the phrase, “pastries and coffee will be available before the general session.” A coffee aficionado like me thinks, “What kind of coffee?” Will it be single origin? Brewed well? Can I verify the roast date and roast level? Will I be able to examine the beans for uniformity? Are they going to serve it Read More…

Through our tours, newsletter, blog, and email we are asked a multitude of questions daily about coffee. We are always happy to share information and while we have dug into some of these in depth, let us give you clear and simple answers for some of your coffee queries. Frequently Asked Kona Coffee Questions What is the best grade of Kona Coffee? Kona Coffee is an industry regulated by the State of Hawaii. State Law gives us five grades of Type One beans (hemispheres) and two grades of Type Two Read More…

What is Terroir and why does it matter for great coffee? If you are a wine enthusiast you have most likely come across the concept of Terroir, a French term coined to refer to the taste of the place. More accurately: 1. The complete natural environment in which a particular wine is produced, including factors such as the soil, topography, and climate.2. The characteristic taste and flavor imparted to a wine by the environment in which it is produced. Imagine Champagne, France. Napa Valley. Chianti, Italy. In the modern day, the Read More…

Staring down at my elegant, aromatic cup of 100% Kona coffee this morning, I wonder if drinking coffee first thing in the morning has always been a great human pleasure. It seems very logical and natural. We just woke up, still a bit groggy, and we have to get out of the house to go to work or school. Coffee helps… a lot. I have been a student of coffee for many years now, and I already know the answer: morning coffee is a more modern-day invention. Would you like Read More…

In the modern world of reduce, reuse, recycle we have found all sorts of creative ways to be a bit more mindful of the impact that we leave on our world. From re-usable shopping bags, to shopping at farmer’s markets, to paperless utility bills, all of us are a little more conscious of better consumption habits. The great news is that used coffee grounds lend themselves to many uses that will have you wondering why you never considered how valuable they were. First, I’d like to share a few really Read More…

Last year while visiting Portland Oregon, the local Stumptown Café by my hotel had a sign on the counter. “Unless otherwise requested the default Mylk for all coffee drinks will be Oat Mylk” That was my first introduction to a secret war between Milk (the juice of the cow) and Mylk (a derived liquid product from oat, almond, soy, macadamia, coconut, cashew, rice or hazelnut.) When I ordered my drink, I had to say, “I’d like a cappuccino with cow’s milk.” (Turns out the proper term was Dairy Milk) If Read More…

We have all done it. It seems logical. Freezing things preserves them, right? Cold temperatures slow the staling of bread, fruits, waffles, just about everything. Isn’t freezing your coffee beans or grounds the best way to lengthen their use? Science and consumer behavior reports say it depends on a couple of things. Let’s find out what they are. The enemy of your coffee’s freshness First, know that 4 things are the enemy of your coffee’s freshness. In order they are: air, moisture, heat and light. Most quality coffees are stored Read More…

As the pinch of inflation permeates into our daily lives, we often take a second look at the things in our lives and decide whether they need to stay or go. If you add up all of the little increases in everything we consume, it can really add up, and then we have to prioritize. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us nationwide averages for consumer goods: Dozen Eggs…… June 2020- $1.55 June 2023- $2.22      +43%Gallon Milk……June 2020-$3.20 June 2023- $3.99       +24%Gallon Gas………June 2020 – Read More…

Greenwell Farms grows many different varieties of coffee trees and also produces a variety of roasts. This allows us to create many amazing flavor profiles for our coffee. Many people though, are curious about what roasting does to coffee beans and what best roast to buy is. I will attempt to lay out a clear picture of what coffee roasting is and how it can influence consumer behavior. The Toast Analogy Imagine you have two pieces of bread. Let’s say a slice of rye bread and a slice of sourdough Read More…