The past two Sundays we've had a chance
to come down off the mountain and check out the happenings in town.
Invariably we ended up at the farmer's market each time, we simply
can't resist the call of all that fresh fruit and produce.
Don't Forget the Coffee
Kona coffee is incredible, and no two
brands are alike. Most of the brews in the Kona region come from
private farmers who grow coffee simply because they love it so much,
rather than a greedy desire to make a profit from the delicious
beans. The result is a wide array of amazing coffee, the likes of
which you simply have to sample when the opportunity arises.
What better way to experience the best
of Kona coffee than by touring a farm or ten. Several farms are
arranged conveniently on the highway, the majority of which offer
free tastings and tours for any visitors that drop in. Of course, if
you're going to make a day of touring farms you'll want to dress
appropriately.
When Sampling the Coffees of Hawaii, Comfort is Key
- Light layers -It's been said there are 19 different types of climate in the world, 14 of which can be experienced right here on the Big Island of Hawaii. Truer words were never spoken, so I always try to come prepared with versatile garments that let me maintain maximum comfort at all times. A fleece hoodie is great for chilly mornings, and a cotton t-shirt is perfect for sunny afternoons. Long sleeves are a must when touring a coffee farm, mosquitoes love visitors.
- Sturdy Shoes – Kona coffee is amazing, there's nothing like it in the world. But if you really want to get the full experience of what goes into each delicious cup of genuine Kona coffee, you've got to tour the farm where it was grown, processed, and roasted. Be warned, the terrain consists primarily of lava rock, and it's no joke – wear hiking boots with rugged soles.
- Bug Balm – Apply an all-natural bug repellant before leaving in the morning, and refresh as needed throughout the day. Mosquitoes are as pesky as they are stealth, you never know you've been hit until after the itch sets in. This gets to be pretty distracting when trying to enjoy a tour of a beautiful Kona coffee farm. I like to make my own blend of bug repellant from coconut oil, beeswax, and some essential oils that smell great to me, but horrible to insects – eucalyptus, citronella and lavender to name a few.
- Shopping Bag(s) -No doubt about it, after touring a Kona coffee farm, and sampling a freshly brewed cup of award-winning roast, you're going to want to take home a pound or five. Come equipped with a reusable shopping bag, Hawaii has recently banned on the plastic variety. Some coffee farms in the Kona coffee belt grow more than just coffee, you might want to bring an extra shopping bag for delicious tropical fruit and massive avocados.
For the Folks Stuck at Home
I
know, all this talk about delicious, award-winning coffee grown on
the island paradise of Hawaii is cruel to those of you who don't have
the luxury of hopping on the next flight to Honolulu. I've taken
this into consideration, and that's why I'm sharing these discount
coupons
for Hawaiian coffee, and in the spirit of valentine's day, I'll
toss in these extra savings
from popular merchants as well.
