Did you know that one of Hawaii’s best coffee farm tours is completely free? Kona’s Greenwell Farms offers thorough daily tours with complimentary samples of their homegrown coffee. Today I’m sharing all about my visit to this special place and offering tips to make sure you get the most out of your Kona coffee farm tour.
A Post-Flight Fuel Up
I recently visited Big Island (the Island of Hawaii) with a friend for a girls’ trip. We went to Kona, Hilo, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. But the very first thing we did during our trip was visit Greenwell Farm in Kona.
I always say that one thing you must do in Hawaii is to try Kona coffee. Since we flew into Kona, I knew we had to go straight to the source. We went directly from the airport to Greenwell Farms because we were in dire need of some coffee after our 7:00 am flight!
There are so many coffee farms in Kona, and, honestly, it was hard to choose which one to go to.
After doing a lot of research, we chose Greenwell Farms for a few reasons. We had heard that their coffee is excellent. But, you can only get it at their farm or on their website. Bigger Kona coffee farms sell their coffee on Oahu, where I live, so I figured I could try those anytime I want.
History of Greenwell Farms
Greenwell Farms dates back to the 1800s, when a man named Henry Greenwell moved to Kona from Europe and began farming coffee on his property. He eventually brought Kona coffee into the European market in the 1870s and even received a “Recognition Diploma” from the 1873 World’s Fair.
Greenwell Farms is at a prime location at 1,500 feet above sea level. It is adjacent to the ancestral home of Henry and Elizabeth Greenwell, which serves as a museum (with a small admission fee) and is on the National and State Registers of Historic Places.
Over 150 years after Henry Greenwell began Greenwell Farms, the Greenwell family still owns and operates the farm. I love supporting local, family-run businesses, so that was another reason why we chose to visit this amazing place.
The Coffee Tour
Greenwell Farms offers 12 tours daily between 9 AM and 3 PM. They’re free and don’t require any reservations. Just arrive and join in the next available tour. They’re about 45 minutes long and require walking along unpaved walkways.
As soon as we parked, a tour was starting. One of the guides came over to welcome us and ask if we wanted to join their tour or wait for the next one. We immediately hopped on their tour and were immediately impressed by their attention to detail. Our guide even gave us an umbrella since it was raining.
They gave us a lot of information about how Greenwell Farms grows its coffee, and it was all so fascinating! We learned that they hand-pick every single bean that they harvest. They also roast coffee beans for different farms in Kona since they have the equipment to do so.
We saw coffee cherries that were not ready to be picked yet, and I was so surprised that they were green. We saw the coffee trees and many other fruits growing on the farm.
After The Tour: Tasting the Coffee
After our walk through the farm, our tour guide took us to their tasting area, where all their different kinds of coffee were available for tasting – even their special reserves.
We were encouraged to try as much coffee as we wanted and to stay as long as we liked. They also had four different kinds of my favorite brand of honey – Big Island Bees – available for tasting.
Our tour guide told us we should at least try four different kinds of coffee to see what we like best and to get a variety. So we sampled Private Reserve, Peaberry, Jeni K, and Onouli. I was especially interested in trying Onouli, which is made from 100-year-old coffee trees.
The coffee from these trees is extra special because the older a coffee tree gets, the more flavorful its coffee is. But there is a catch – the tree produces fewer coffee berries. I felt so lucky to try coffee from a 100-year-old tree! Of course, we bought a few bags to bring home.
Tips for Visiting Greenwell Farms
No reservations are required, and all of the tours are free. Our tour guide told us that the fall is the best time to visit because that is when the most farming activity occurs.
While some coffee farms are closed for tours on the weekends, Greenwell Farms is only closed three days per year: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Recently, Greenwell Farms added picnic tables where guests are welcome to sit and enjoy the beautiful grounds. Bring a picnic lunch or a snack, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy this beautiful region in Hawaii.
Kona Culture and Coffee Tour
Want to make sure you see all of Kona’s best spots? Hawaii Aloha Travel offers a Kona Culture and Coffee Tour that you’ll love. See Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park Greenwell Farms, a macadamia nut farm, and the Captain Cook Monument at Kealakekua Bay. You will end the day with an optional snorkeling excursion at one of the island’s best spots. You can contact our Hawaii travel team today to learn more about this great tour.
Coffee and culture are mainstays on this fascinating island, and you now have the opportunity to learn about both on the same day.
