Hawaii is currently the only US state that produces coffee for commercial purposes.
Have you tried Hawaiian coffee?
If you have, then you know that Hawaii coffee recognition around the world is not by chance.
Here’s our list of awards and mentions that Hawaiian coffee and Hawaiian coffee brands have received over the years.
By Lilian.
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Hawaiian Coffee Awards
Koa Coffee
Koa Coffee won the Gevalia Cupping Competition held in Kailua Koa in 2002.
In 2018, Buddha’s Sanctuary of Holualoa earned top honors at the International Cupping Competition held in Paris.
They received a gold medal for Imagine 100% Kona Coffee and two silver medals for Buddha’s Cup and Kona Gold flavors.
Lion Coffee is one of Hawaii Coffee Company’s most popular brands.
The brand came first in Hawaii’s Best Coffee Category in Honolulu People’s Choice Awards.
Rusty’s Hawaiian Coffee
Rusty Hawaiian Coffee, another Hawaii-based coffee company, has also received numerous awards.
In the period 2009-2021, 9 Rusty’s Hawaiian coffees received 93+ scores.
The specific coffees include:
- Maui Mokka Peaberry
- Natural Yellow Caturra
- Kona Honey Maragogype
- Kona Washed Maragogype
In 2019, they received a bronze medal for their Ka’u Classic Medium Roast. Two years earlier, they had won a silver medal for the Ka’u Classic Dark Roast.
In 2018, the company was mentioned among the Top 12 Coffee Roasters in the US by the Forbes Magazine.
Awards for Hawaiian Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters
Big Island Coffee Roasters is a Hawaii-based coffee roasting company whose mission has been to renew the experience of Hawaiian coffee and ensure customers enjoy specialty coffee for maximum satisfaction.
They were awarded as the “Best Local Coffee Company” and “Best Hawaiian Coffee Company” by Honolulu Magazine.
Hawaiian Award Winning Coffee Beans
Hawaiian Queen Kona Coffee Beans
Hawaiian Queen Coffee, a 100% Kona coffee brand, received the 1st Place Award at the Cupping Competition held in 2019.
It also came 1st in 2019 (only missed 2020 because the competition was canceled due to COVID-19).
Previously, they have consistently been Top 5 at the competition, since 2011.
The brand also won at the Kona Crown Competition Division meant for larger coffee estates.
Aloha Star Coffee Beans
Aloha Star Coffee beans have always been among the Top 10 winners at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (KCCF) since they started participating in 2018.
In 2018, they came 3rd, and in 2019 and 2021, they came 8th and 6th respectively.
Hala Tree Coffee Beans
Hala Tree coffee beans, 100% organic and 100% Kona, have clinched their place in numerous competitions.
In 2021, they were on the Top 3 best coffees in the Classic Division of the Kona Cultural Festival.
They’ve come Top 10 several years in a row at the State of Hawaii Cupping Competition.
Geisha Kona Coffee Beans
Geisha Kona coffee beans are farmed in the Geisha Kona Coffee Farm which won the Classic Division at the Kona Coffee Cupping (KCC) Competition.
Aikane Kona Coffee Beans
Aikane’s Kona coffee beans are a Kona coffee beans variety that has a very clean taste, low acidity, a medium body and well-balanced sweetness.
The beans carried home the Kona Heritage Award at the KCC Competition in 2021.
Maui Coffee Beans
In the 12th Hawaii Coffee Association Cupping Competition, Catuai coffee beans, a Maui variety grown at Olinda Organic Farm, scored highest at 86.63.
Kau Coffee Beans
Ka’u Coffee Mill’s coffee beans were ranked Top 10 worldwide at the 2013 Roasters Choice Competition held in Boston, Massachusetts.
Photos by Michael Burrows and Hmmmunoz.
