Over the weekend of July 19th through 21st the Hawaii Coffee
Association hosted its 17th annual conference and trade show at the Maui
Tropical Plantation in Waikapu, Maui.
Every year coffee growers and roasters gather to discuss
important coffee issues and share techniques and ideas as well. There are workshops, crop grower reports, research
updates and, of course, the tasting and scoring of coffees from around the
islands. Also the University of Hawaii
along with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and the USDA joined forces to
host a critically important workshop on preventing and controlling the coffee
berry borer beetle.
In addition to the conference, the event also played host to
the 4th annual statewide cupping competition which included more than 117
entries from across the island chain.
Each was competing for the coveted title of Grand Champion of Hawaiian
Coffee in two categories: commercial and creative. Top coffees from each growing region were
also recognized.
This year Wood Valley Coffee Co. from the Big Island's Ka'u
district won top honors in the commercial category, while Heavenly Hawaiian
Farms from Kona received Grand Champion honors in the creative category.
Lead judge Paul Thornton of Coffee Bean International and
also president of the Specialty Coffee Association of America said of the
competition: "This event seems to
be creating more interest in learning and improving. There are more, better coffees than
ever."
Coffee cupping is part science and part art, similar to wine
tasting, where coffees are tasted and scored based on subtle characteristics
such as flavor, aroma, acidity, sweetness and finish.
The Hawaii Coffee Association’s mission is to represent all
sectors of the Hawaii coffee industry, including growers, processors, wholesalers,
roasters and retailers. HCA’s primary objective is to increase awareness and
consumption of all Hawaiian coffees. A major component of HCA’s work is the
continuing education of members and consumers. Visit www.hawaiicoffeeassoc.org.
