KEKAHA — As patrons flocked to the counter to get an idea of the menu offering at Obsessions Cafe in Kekaha, Steven Matsumoto quietly moved two barrels and some bins full of roasted coffee from the red roaster to a
KEKAHA — As patrons flocked to the counter to get an idea of the menu offering at Obsessions Cafe in Kekaha, Steven Matsumoto quietly moved two barrels and some bins full of roasted coffee from the red roaster to a processing table.
The only hint of the coffee processing came from the aroma of freshly roasted coffee that permeated the eatery as Matsumoto opened up cartons of bags with the Koloa Coffee label.
This product produced by Haupu Growers is distributed exclusively by M & K Distributors, Matsumoto said. All they do is harvest, roast, and package the product for M & K.
Sold in eight-ounce bags, Matsumoto said the Koloa Coffee is a Kaua‘i product that developed when Haupu Growers was having problems trying to fill the demand for their Black Mountain Coffee, a product line which is still available, and showcased in a basket at the Westside eatery.
“The only difference,” Matsumoto said, “is that with Black Mountain, you can get coffee in whole-bean form, while Koloa Coffee is available only ground in either medium or dark roast.”
The cherries (more commonly known as beans) are harvested from the firm’s Koloa plantings, giving rise to the name of the robust brew.
Currently, Matsumoto said M & K orders about 20 cases a week, each case containing a dozen, eight-ounce bags, but that number varies. On some weeks, the number doubles.
Without knowing where M & K has the product placed, Matsumoto said the amount ordered on a weekly basis is not that bad, considering that Koloa Coffee has been advertised only by word-of-mouth. However, Matsumoto said he’s seen the product on the shelves of Big Save stores, and they might even be available at Hilo Hattie, and possibly Longs Drug Stores.
Haupu Growers also produces the well-known Kaua‘i Asparagus, papaya, poinsettia for the holidays, and a more recent addition, pak choi, which is gown in pots.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
