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The Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has planted 40 Kona coffee tree seedlings to mark the 200th anniversary of Kona Coffee.
The Kona Pypica varietal seeds were locally grown in Holualoa and the hotel expects the coffee “cherries” to develop by late August. The cherries will later be harvested, and the beans inside will be roasted.
“We wanted the presence of Kona coffee trees as part of our garden of tropical Hawaiian plants so we could educate our guests, who have asked us where they could see a coffee plantation near the resort,” said Bill Countryman, general manager, in a statement. “While Kona coffee is widely grown in higher elevation, the coffee grown at Waikoloa Beach Marriott is a beach variety, made to withstand the coastal elements and weather. It is, however, still exceptional in taste.”
Hotel Executive Sous Chef Jayson Kanekoa has created a House Grown Arabica Coffee Bean Rub for steaks served on-property.
