Maui Coffee vs Kona Coffee - Mill House Roasting

Undoubtedly one of our favorite morning stops on Maui, we recently stopped by the Mill House Roasting Company, located centrally at Maui Tropical Plantation, to chat with Manager Keturah Schmidt about what makes Maui-grown coffee special. https://hawaiicoffee.com

First opened in 2015, the Mill House Roasting Company focuses on serving up locally-grown, harvested, and roasted seed-to-cup coffee in the heart of The Valley Isle. Visitors can stop into their onsite roasting room and cafe to sample fresh Maui coffee varietals, or order one of their many available packaged coffees online, including options like the 100% Maui Dark Roast, 100% Maui Medium Roast, 10% Maui Blend and Decaf.

As Keturah explains, the Mill House Roasting Company is in full control of their Maui coffee at every step of the process, from growing and processing to harvesting, roasting, and brewing. While coffee from other islands is also roasted onsite as part of their offerings of different coffee roasts and blends, coffee from Maui varies from the world-famous Kona coffee in that it perfectly hits those chocolatey, nutty notes, giving it a smooth and delicious flavor that’ll keep you wanting more. With relatively low acidity, it is also easy on your stomach.

Though states like Georgia and California are experimenting with growing their own coffee, Hawaii has long been the only state in the U.S. to grow its own coffee, thanks in large part to the abundance of rich volcanic soil and tropical climate. Because it takes about 3 years for coffee plants to start producing beans, 8 years before they reach maturity, and an abundance of water and proper fertilization, coffee trees are a true investment of time, resources, and patience.

When looking for quality coffee in Hawaii, be sure to keep an eye out for varieties listed as 100% Maui or Kona coffee, as well as ‘estate grown’ to ensure you’re buying coffee grown entirely from that region, as opposed to a blended version.

For more information or to learn more about the Mill House Roasting Company process, visit their cafe at the Maui Tropical Plantation, call 808.270.0319, or email [email protected].

CHAPTERS

00:00 Seed to Cup Intro
01:05 Growing Hawaii coffee
03:38 Maui Coffee Roasting
05:23 Kona Coffee Vs. Maui Coffee