Big Island coffee farm tour at Greenwell Farms
A Kona coffee farm tour is one of my favorite ways to explore the history of Hawaii’s Big Island. Greenwell Farms, located about 30 minutes south of Kailua-Kona town, offers the perfect introduction to Kona’s coffee growing culture. Not only does Greenwell offer a highly informative free guided tour, you’ll also get to sample to your heart’s content in a heavenly tropical landscape.
You’ll find the farm south of Kona on Highway 11, between mile markers 112 and 111.
Touring the Kona Coffee region
About 30 minutes south of Hawaii’s Kailua-Kona town is the home of the USA’s coffee country. The Kona coffee region covers about 2200 acres and produces some of the most prized coffee in the world.
Cool, lush, and steamy, the Kona coffee region is a wonderful retreat from the Big Island’s hot lava plains.
Free Kona coffee farm tours at Greenwell Farms
Greenwell Farms runs free guided Kona coffee tours continuously every day beginning at 9:00am. The tours last about 60 minutes and include a walk through the coffee trees, a look at the cherry drying operations, and samples of the many roasts produced by Greenwell.
The farm is not just home to coffee trees, but also a wide variety of tropical fruits – from bananas to mangos to avocados.
Kona coffee since 1850
The Greenwell family was among the first to plant coffee trees in the shady hills above Kona Town. Establishing the plantation in 1850, Henry and Elizabeth Greenwell helped found an industry that would soon produce some of the best coffee on earth, a tradition that continues to this day.
Coffee production at Greenwell today is still much the same as the Victorian era. Coffee cherries are still picked by hand at maximum ripeness and beans are dried in the sun.
On the tour, you’ll see the operations at work and learn why these old techniques still result in the best beans for your morning cup of joe.
True made-In-Hawaii souvenirs
A coffee plantation is the perfect place to find authentic Hawaiian souvenirs. Greenwell offers about a dozen different roasts of their 100% Kona Coffee. Plus you can also purchase the best chocolate-covered macadamia nuts I’ve ever tasted, Big Island jams and honey, and even natural skincare products made from coffee cherries.
If you can’t get to the Big Island, you can order Greenwell coffee online, to bring Aloha to your breakfast anytime.
Kona coffee farm tour tips
Coffee trees are shade-lovers, which means you may find a wet, cloudy environment up in the Kona hills. Mornings are usually a better bet if you like sunshine, afternoons for overcast and maybe even rain. Greenwell provides umbrellas for shade or rain protection.
You won’t cover a ton of ground on the tour, but you will be walking through a working farm, and standing throughout. Be ready for mud and wear whatever footwear will be most comfortable for you. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
Taste the coffee and meet the local wildlife
Much like at a winery, guests have the opportunity to taste the full variety of Greenwell’s Kona Coffee roasts.
Next to the tasting space you might be lucky enough to spot a family of chameleons napping in an orange tree. Of course they are hard to spot – ask one of the tour guides to help you get a glimpse.
Kona coffee region nearby diversions
Make a day of it and head over to City of Refuge National Park, about 20 minutes or so south of the farm. Besides the awe-inspiring history of the site, this is one of the best snorkeling bays on the island.
Get my tips for what to bring when you go snorkeling here.
More Big Island tips from goinformed.net
Here are some more posts to help you have a fantastic vacation in Hawaii:
- 8 simple tips for travel to Hawaii during COVID-19
- The Big Island seahorse farm where you can hold a seahorse!
- What to bring when you go snorkeling or shore diving
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