There’s a certain clarity that shows up in a well-grown cup of Hawaiian Coffee:
striking aroma, lush mouthfeel, clean finish...  Maui Coffee is no exception.  But as well
as it fits into the pantheon of Hawaiian Coffees, it also retains a unique character. 
Other island coffee origins may be more widely known, but Maui offers something
distinct (and delicious!) within the broader landscape of Hawaiian Coffee.

Maui’s coffee story is shaped by elevation, steady trade winds and volcanic soil as
well as innovative agricultural knowledge and careful stewardship. Here are five
reasons Maui Coffee continues to earn its place among the most respected coffees
in Hawai’i… and the world!

1. Maui’s Microclimates and Unique Terrain

Hawaiian Coffee is deeply influenced by the environment, and Maui’s growing
regions benefit from an array of favorable microclimates. Whether it’s in the warm
coastal breezes of Ka’anapali or the afternoon cloud cover of Kula, Maui’s coffee
growing areas enjoy optimal growing conditions.  Here, the severity of the landscape
is a huge asset - Maui’s rich topographic diversity gives rise to an incredible range of
growing environments.

Unlike regions with sharp temperature swings, Maui’s conditions remain steady
throughout the growing season. That steadiness produces coffee with softer acidity,
rounded sweetness, and a composed flavor structure. For all its aromatic
intensity, Maui coffee is balanced and mellow in the cup.

Soothing yet intense, it’s fitting that Maui Coffee is shaped by the counterpoint of
climatic steadiness and wild volcanic terrain.

2. Volcanic Soil That Builds Structure

Volcanic soil is part of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural identity. The soil is mineral-rich and
well-drained providing coffee trees with what they need without overwhelming them.

When soil ‘overnourishes’ a coffee crop, the fruiting cycle is disrupted. Flavor can
become heavy or unrefined. Maui’s terrain supports consistent, moderate
nourishment, resulting in beans with depth, clarity, and natural sweetness. This
balance is one reason Maui Coffee holds its own alongside other Hawaiian Coffee
regions while maintaining a voice that is distinctly its own.

3. Small Farms and Hands-On Stewardship

Good coffee begins with good farmers, and Maui has some of the best.  Small-scale
family farms predominate, and the coffee benefits greatly from the intensive
stewardship of hands-on growers.  These farmers know their land, their weather and
their plants intimately and are responsive to their local conditions and microclimates
in a way that you don’t see on large plantations.

For this reason, Maui not only has wonderful coffee, it has diverse coffee.  It is truly
remarkable that such a small growing region produces coffee with such wide-
ranging flavor profiles and cup characters.

4. A Flavor Profile Designed for Daily Drinking

If you’ve never tried Maui coffee before, that first sip is remarkably striking. But what’s
even more remarkable is the way you’ll keep coming back to it. While the aroma may
continue to knock your socks off, the taste is very approachable. Expect a medium
body, balanced acidity, and reliably yummy flavors. Rich chocolate, red fruit, toasted
nuts, and gentle sweetness are common markers.

This makes Maui Coffee remarkably versatile. It performs well as a pour-over, brings
balance to espresso and stays composed in milk-based drinks. Among Hawaiian
Coffee offerings, Maui stands out for fitting naturally into daily routines without
becoming predictable.

To taste it for yourself, check out our 100% Maui Coffee collection.

5. Roasting That Respects Origin

It’s possible to be a competent coffee roaster even if you’ve never been to a coffee
farm. It’s possible to assess green coffee quality from a distant continent thanks to
our sophisticated global supply chains. But there’s no substitute for community… for
connection… for collaborating with your neighbors.

As artisan roasters on Maui, we know Maui coffee in the deepest way possible. We
spend time on the farms. We give our farming partners real-time feedback on
varietal choice, processing innovations and roast optimization. We help connect
local farms when they need to share equipment or find pickers.  We pursue the best roasts with a passion that would be impossible to recreate in a less connected
setting.

Here at The Coffee Store, every roast is undertaken with the full knowledge of how
precious the coffee is… of how hard our friends and neighbors worked to produce it.
Each batch is intensively planned, expertly roasted and small. Next time you brew
some of our coffee, take a moment to think about the dedicated farmers and
roasters who produced it… we think you’ll taste it!