Island Treasures: The Kona Coffee and Tea Company
Before Jan and Dan Bolton were the owners of The Kona Coffee and Tea Company, they were running Bolton, Inc. a Hawai‘i Island construction company.
In 1997, they planted coffee on a plot of their 254 acre farm. When the trees reached maturity and produced beans, on a lark, Jan and Dan entered their first coffee competition. To their surprise, they received prestigious awards, which was the catalyst to more acres of coffee planting, additional accolades and the opening of their first store in 2003.
The Kona Coffee and Tea Company presently produces coffee on 130 acres of their Waiono Farm and is recognized as one of the largest single estate, family-owned coffee farms on Hawai‘i Island.
From the farm, the hand-picked cherry (a term for the red skin of a ripe bean) is taken to the Bolton mill for processing. After milling, the “green beans” (the color of unroasted/raw beans) are taken to their master roaster where they are roasted to desired roasts, bagged, and distributed to their outlets for sale.
These same roasted beans are also utilized in The Kona Coffee and Tea Company’s cups of freshly brewed coffee and their artisanal espresso drinks.
The Kona Coffee and Tea Company’s cafés offer delicious menu items of both sweet and savory varieties. They also host delectable “foodie” events at their Village Café location, which is also licensed to serve beer and wine. This provides a platform for food and wine pairing events. One such affair is their quarterly “Supper Club” that showcases local food components with single estate wines.
Another wine and dine occasion is the annual “Pairings Dinner,” which happens in November during the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. This year’s Pairings Dinner is slated for Wednesday, November 9th from 6–9pm.
The company strives to encompass a multitude of events and demographics. They welcome other functions as well—from local artist exhibitions to open mic sessions to Salsa or Tango dances and even princess tea parties; it’s all about gathering people for good food and fun.
Besides being located in the only U.S. state that produces coffee, what sets The Kona Coffee and Tea Company apart is their “hands-on” practice from planting seeds to brewing coffee and every step in between.
All of their 100% Kona coffees and Hawai‘i-sourced teas can be found in their cafés or online along with many unique, ancillary items.
The Kona Coffee and Tea Company—Purveyors of 100% Kona Coffee
Village Café, 74-5588 Palani Rd, Kailua-Kona
808.365.5340
Daily, 6am–6:30pm
Harbor Café
74-5035 Queen Ka‘ahumanu Hwy, Kailua-Kona
808.329.6577
Mon–Sat, 6:30am–5pm; Sun, 9am–3pm
