July 9, 2007
Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposePele & the Perfect Brew
by Ruby World
When on the hunt for the perfect cup of Joe, I find myself staring at the Wall o’ Coffee, first trying to decide on a continent – South America, Africa or Asia? This then moves on to whether or not I’d like “earthy and aromatic” or “earthy and smooth.” If I’m lucky to get this far, no decision can be made until each bag has been checked for Fair Trade, organic or shade-grown status. After an hour of reading each label and making an assessment for my perfect choice, I may still be out-of-luck when asked about which roast, blend or flavor I would like.
As luck would have it, a craving for macadamia nuts landed me on the website for Pele Plantations (www.peleplantations.com), a distributor for small coffee estates that produce 100% fresh Kona coffee with connoisseur choices like Peaberry, Extra Fancy and Swiss Water™ Method Decaf. Organic and family-owned are common themes for these miniature farms on the volcanic slopes of the Big Island of Hawaii.
This small island in the middle of the Pacific produces some of the most exquisite
coffee beans in the world, which are so rare that most commercial producers must blend them with other coffees in order to have enough to distribute. Pure Kona coffee is something to be treasured and almost impossible to locate outside of islands.
On the Pele Plantations website, you’re invited to read detailed descriptions that make each estate unique, as well as view photos of the coffee farms and the people who patiently care for their prized beans. When your order arrives, you’re greeted with photographs and maps of the estates, adding something psychologically special to your first cup of coffee.
For those who cannot easily make up their minds, a sampler is available that offers a rotation of estates to pleasantly review at home. For those who can make an early decision, three roasts are available to choose from: medium, dark and “Madam Pele.” Decaf, estate blends and flavors, like Coconut Crème, allow you to customize to your preference.
If you’re the adventuresome sort, green beans can be ordered for home roasting. Highly recommended is the coffee club, which will keep an abundance of “cherry picked” coffee beans that even Pele, the Fire Goddess of Hawaii, would drink every morning.
