If you occasionally enjoy a coffee to-go from a specialty coffee shop or retailer, you have probably seen the words’ single-origin’ written in fancy lettering on a chalkboard or menu above the bar.

But what does single-origin mean when describing coffee? Just like single-malt describes Scotch from a single distillery and single-vineyard describes wine from a single estate, single-origin describes a coffee that comes from a single region, producer, or crop. 

You may also see coffee labeled as single-farm or single-estate, which means the coffee can be traced back to one farm or sometimes even one specific field or lot. 

Every package of 100% Kauai Coffee you buy is single-origin coffee that can be traced back to the specific field where it was grown on our farm. Kauai Coffee is also a vertically integrated company and authentic Hawaiian Coffee Estate. Every step of the process from seed to cup, including growing your coffee, processing, roasting, and packaging, happens under our care.  

Why Buy Single-Origin Coffee?

Single-origin coffee is often associated with higher quality because it can be traced back to how and where it was grown. Much like wine and other agricultural products, the growing conditions, temperature, altitude, and soil in which coffee grows affect the flavors and aromas you experience when you drink it. 

This is why coffee grown in Ethiopia or Kenya tastes different than coffee grown in Brazil, Hawaii, or Costa Rica. When you buy and consume single-origin coffee, you know that you are getting an undiluted taste of the specific land and resources that made it possible.

Single-Origin Vs. Blends

Now that you know single-origin coffee is from one farm or region and is often associated with higher quality and transparency, you may be wondering about the quality of your favorite blended coffee. As the name implies, coffee blends are crafted from beans sourced from multiple locations and processed together. Blends can be made from beans from the same country or region or combine coffees from around the world. 

Just because a coffee is a blend, doesn’t mean it is lower quality than any single-origin coffee. In fact, it may be just the opposite. Artisan roasters and specialty coffee producers will often craft blends to create unique combinations with consistent flavors. Blending and balancing coffees from different origins is a delicate art and science that takes a refined palate and skill. 

Hawaiian Origins 

Coffee lovers worldwide recognize coffee from Hawaii for its excellent quality and superb flavor, but did you know that coffee is grown in several distinct regions located throughout the state of Hawaii? These regions include, 

• • Kauai
  • Hawaii Island (Kona, Kau, Puna, Hamakua)
  • Maui
  • Molokai
  • Oahu

Kona may be the most well-known origin of specialty coffee from Hawaii, but it isn’t the only one! Did you know that Kauai was the first of the Hawaiian islands with a commercial coffee operation? Kona coffee is also often confused for variety of coffee instead of a growing region. Only coffee grown in Kona can be designated as Kona Coffee, just as only the coffee grown on Kauai can be named Kauai Coffee. 

Kauai Coffee Company

With over 4 million coffee trees growing on 3,100 acres, Kauai Coffee Company is Hawaii’s largest coffee grower, and thus the largest coffee grower in the U.S.A. Kauai Coffee is the first and only coffee locally-grown in Hawaii to be triple certified by leading sustainability advocates. For most coffee products, the supply chain is incredibly complex. At Kauai Coffee Company, we care for your coffee from seed to cup and can trace the coffee in each bag of 100% Kauai Coffee to when and where it came from on our farm. 

Find your favorite single-origin 100% Kauai Coffee or blend today. Worldwide shipping and monthly subscriptions are available to help you try them all! 

100% Estate Reserve: Every year, approximately 5% of our crop is selected to be a premier Estate Reserve coffee, which is then custom roasted on our Hawaiian estate.

100% Kauai Coffee: Experience the unique flavor and artistry of our Roastmasters’ showcase of coffees capture the easy-going character, friendly personality, and subtle nuances that make Kauai and our Hawaiian coffee special.

Kauai Coffee Single-Serve: Enjoy the great taste and convenience of single-serve coffee from Kauai. The Filter Cup™ features an easy-flow filter design, allowing you to enjoy more coffee aroma and richer flavor every time you brew. The design uses less plastic, making it the eco-friendly, smarter choice for the environment.