Due to recent rains, the trees at Kaanapali Coffee Farms are loaded with flowerings that will develop into coffee fruit.

The bees are buzzing up at the Kaanapali Coffee Farms, West Maui’s premiere agricultural community. Due to recent rains, the trees are loaded with flowerings which will develop into coffee fruit “cherry.” Then, in approximately six months the cherries will be harvested and milled and ready to enjoy. But you need not wait for these plants to mature to enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee. You can stop by the MauiGrown Coffee Company Store in Lahaina today to sample and/or purchase coffee varieties, including Maui Mokka, Red Catuai, and Yellow Caturra. Did you know

The Maui Mokka is a variety unique to Kaanapali Coffee Farms, which is the only commercial grower of this particular moka variety. This variety is considered to be over 1,000 years old due to its origination in Ethiopia and grown in what is now Yemen. The bean is round and is often mistaken for a peaberry. Upon closer examination, one can notice the classic dicotyledonous flat side signifying two whole beans per cherry. The cup is smooth and wonderfully fused with different chocolate flavors and often times with good acidity.

Yellow Caturra is called “Yellow” because the cherry ripens yellow instead of the conventionally recognized red color. This variety performs well in hot, drier conditions and is known for its short internodes, semi-dwarf quality and high yields. The cup is clean and mild with spicy overtones.

Red Catuai variety carries strong consistency in the cup for brightness and body. Once described by a coffee writer as the “cabernet of coffees,” it is suitable to all growing conditions and is found to thrive at the Kaanapali Coffee Farms.

Maui Peaberry are tiny, football-shaped beans that do not split like normal coffee beans during their growth. The coffee has a stronger, sweeter flavor.

All of the above coffees are offered at the MauiGrown Coffee Company Store (located at 277 Lahainaluna Road next to the Pioneer Mill Smokestack) and are part of the new crop grown at the Kaanapali Coffee Farms. It was all harvested and milled within the last three months. It doesn’t get any fresher than this. Store partners Jeff and Diane are offering a 12-ounce cup of these featured coffees for only $1.50 a cup. Kama’aina discounts apply. Jeff says the quality of this year’s crop is excellent. Diane also encourages people to buy online at www.MauiGrownCoffee.com and have it shipped to your home and/or to family and friends. Store hours are 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, closed Sunday.

For private tour on the breathtaking Kaanapali Coffee Farms community, please call Rohn T. Stark, PB, at (808) 870-5571 or e-mail Rohn@PlatinumPropertiesHI.com. You can also visit www.KaanapaliCoffeeFarms.com and/or like us on Facebook.