David Holfve, Gevalia Kaffe, Sherri Johns, WholeCup Coffee Consulting, and Masahiro Yamamichi, Ueshima Coffee Company, judge the preliminary round of the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition & Gevalia Crown Competition at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

The Gevalia Kona Coffee Classic Cupping Competition and the Gevalia Crown Competition are blind tastings of Kona’s finest coffee. Entries are assigned a random number to assure anonymity. To keep the judges’ palates alert between Wednesday’s preliminary and Thursday’s final round, these numbers are changed as the entries progress in the competition. Judges are looking for high marks in fragrance, aroma, taste, nose, aftertaste and body.

“This is one of the closest competitions in years. This is another good year for Kona. Over all, Kona’s quality is consistent,” commented Gevalia Master Taster Dave Holfve.

The following 15 Kona coffee farms were selected to advance from the 61 entries in Wednesday’s preliminary round. These 15 Classic finalists’ farms are usually less than two acres. The public is invited to witness the final round of the coveted Gevalia Kona Coffee Classic Cupping Competition on Thursday.

Classic Finalists:
Aerie Farm, LLC dba “Hawaiian Hawk”
Brocksen Gate Estate
Hawaiian King Coffee
Healani Farm
Hubbard & Sons Coffee Company
Keke Lani Estate
Kena Coffee Farms
Kona Lea Plantation
Kuaiwi Farm/Kona Oldstyle
Mahina Mele Farm
Malia Ohana
Moki’s Farm
Mongoose Mountain Farm
Pearl Estate Organics
Wolf Farms

John King, of Harold King & Company, judges the preliminary round of the Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition & Gevalia Crown Competition at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

The Crown Competition requires that large estate farms submit 3,000 pounds of Kona coffee for judging. Six larger Kona coffee farms also advance to tomorrow’s final from 11 entries in the Gevalia Crown Competition.

Crown Competition Finalists:
Aloha Hills Kona Coffee
Greenwell Farms
Kowali Farm
Kona Coffee Connection
Kona Kulana Farms
Kona Coffee & Tea Company

The Gevalia Kona Coffee Cupping Competition and the Gevalia Crown Competition are signature events of the 39th Annual Kona Coffee Cultural Festival.

The final round of cupping will be at 9 a.m. to 12 noon Thursday (Nov 12) at the Keauhou Beach Resort.