This place is CLOSED! Owners apparently moved to Seattle. Was a little place in a strip mall, not a coffee farm.

Touring Pele Plantations with Vikram, Mel, and Ari was the highlight of my two-week vacation in Kona! I'm incredibly thankful for this family in taking the time to show us the amount of work it goes into producing organic 100% Kona coffee. Tasting the coffee and sitting on their patio overlooking 2 Step and Captain Cook monument (best view in town!) was a delight. This is what traveling is all about. After the tour and tasting, we had the chance to purchase coffee beans and merchandise. I'm looking forward to brewing the coffee I bought. When I tasted their coffee, it was the best coffee I have ever had! Not just in taste but in feel. It didn't have that lingering acidic taste. Nor was I anxious to brush my teeth like I usually am immediately after drinking coffee. read more

Pele Plantations - Coffee tasting - freshly roasted pele coffee! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

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When you join their Coffee Club, you truly become ohana. That was never so evident than when we visited them last week. Melanie and Vikram were so gracious in hosting us and allowing us to have a small peak into what is truly an art of bringing tradition and excelence from farm to your cup. You will never have a better cup of coffee produced by families, roasted by a family and enjoyed by those of us who respect all that goes into it. Mahalo!!!! read more

My family and I enjoyed the tour. Vikram (owner) was very knowledgeable and was very accommodating to schedule a private tour for us the same morning I called - although he typically would want at least a day notice. The plantation was very hidden. It was a short drive straight up a rural road from Mamalahoa highway. There were no signs for the plantation. However, Vikram told us to call once we got off the highway if we had trouble finding the place. We did not need to call again since Google Maps is pretty accurate to the location of the plantation. A note on that: there is not really an "address", so we just searched Pele Plantations on Google Maps and it routed us there. Vikram showed us the trees and explained their organic certification to us. He explained the lifecycle of the coffee trees and the harvesting process - which is very labor intensive since it must happen by hand! He also showed us the coffee bean drying area, the processing area, and the roasting area. We then got a sample of coffee and pictures by the scenic overlook of the Kona coastline. It all seemed like a very small and "homeowner hobby" operation. However, the place supplies high quality and organic coffee to the White House, Four Seasons, Hard Rock Vegas, and several celebrities (including a member of Aerosmith). Pele Plantation also supplies coffee to members of its online coffee club. Coffee is roasted as orders are placed to guarantee freshness. We bought 4 pounds at $40 each. Very pricey but it is not your typical coffee - Vikram explained that adding loads of sugar and cream to it would not allow a full appreciation of the taste. Apparently, Vikram has taken over the plantation from the previous owners a little over a year ago. This is really not a commercial tourist destination, so don't expect an experience like that. However, my family really enjoyed seeing this humble operation that makes coffee for some important people/places. It felt like finding a hidden gem. It also seemed like Vikram's personal work and passion as well as his business. I recommend coming here with a smaller group. Call at least a day ahead to schedule a tour. We came in early August - Vikram said that is the perfect time to visit since they are harvesting the coffee berries right now. read more

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My wife, Angela and I visited Pele Plantations when vacationing on the Big Island in late April of 2018. I knew I wanted to tour a Kona Coffee plantation, but we had no idea how blessed and impressed we would be by the hospitality of Melanie and Vikram, the owners. Vikram gave us a comprehensive tour of the estate but also went into great detail about the planting process, coffee cultivation, and roasting dynamics. He also gave us an eye-opening explanation about the requirements of being Certified Organic, and then the additional steps that Pele takes (the Japanese way), above and beyond what's required, in order to produce a bean that is recognized among the best in the world. There was science, there was spirituality, there was friendship between complete strangers! At the end of the tour, we were treated to several cups of the fruit of their labor. Excellent. They gave us great local advice on things to do and places to see for the rest of our stay on Hawaii. But looking back, this unexpected expedition was the big hit of the Big Island! Highly recommend contacting for a tour, if you visit Kona. I know if we go back, there is no question; we would (will) return to Pele Plantations. PS...the coffee is worth every penny. We're out of our stash that we brought back from our trip, but we'll be making a bulk order in time for the holidays! read more

Pele Plantations - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

Pele is boutique label that produces around 10,000 lbs a year. (2019) they are close to having a cult following, if not already. Their quality control is unreal. They were describing the Manual processes and adherence to practices that went way over what I'd expect from a small producer. The end result is a coffee thats refined and smooth yet somehow has tremendous depth. The Pele (medium/dark) peaberry blew us away and we've been avid peaberry drinkers for 20+ years. You get what you pay for, which in this case means amazing coffee. They source growers in the region and know their customers demand strict provenance. They only sell single-estate. Also, if you become a regular client, they are happy to work with you to roast coffee to your specifications, granted you meet their minimums. I can only hope they keep the QC as high as it is since i can image it's quite a cost to run an operation the way they do. Quality and customer come first for them. read more

Melanie and Vikram- I love Pele Plantations and your fabulous coffee. Your meticulous attention to all details in producing Organic Coffees are outstanding. Your coffees are so delicious! I also want to say-You have masterfully embarked on a fabulous project! The beautiful new developments to your grounds, organic coffees and delicious macadamia nut treats all delight. We had such an enjoyable and informative visit with you yesterday- tasting coffee, treats, and learning of the "Adventures of the Mongoose!" WAAAAY too fun .We will love to see you next year and as ever enjoy the organic coffee of the finest quality from Pele Plantations thru the year until we see you again.. Can't wait to come back! I recommend you highly- Jan Hamilton - Seattle WA read more

If my hometown had a few more volcanoes, then I wouldn't need Pele Plantations Coffee. My wife and I rode a decade's frequent flyer miles to Hawaii last month, and chance -- plus a busted connection -- put us in the very last row on the Kona flight next to a really nice guy from Los Angeles. Bad seats broke the ice. We chatted about the Big Island where he had lived for several years, and Trey invited us to tour the coffee farm where his father had moved 20 years ago from the mainland. Pele Plantations turned out to be an experience that ranked with the lava fields and the hike to black-sand beaches. (But below the sea turtles. Nothing matches a swim with the sea turtles!) Gus and Cynthia Brocksen run their own organic coffee farm on the slope of a hill south of Kona. They also buy beans from other locals, and their niche is selling "estate" coffee, meaning that the coffee in your bag comes from a single, specific farm. If you like the flavor of "Kona Rose," then you can order again and know that you'll get coffee from the same fields. You're going to get great coffee no matter what you order from Pele Plantations. Gus and Cynthia toured us around for three hours. We had imagined a big commercial operation, but they basically run the business from their home -- a home with a large garage, a pumping mill, and a drying shed with a movable roof. They hand-pick pick only red beans, which they say avoids the bitterness in green beans that come along when commercial growers strip entire plants on a single day. They handle the beans every step of the way except for one step, and they clearly care about the coffee. I'm sold. I don't know if I can justify $25 per pound for everyday coffee (and the organics hit $36), but I do believe that their "Mauka Fire" coffee is the best coffee that I have ever bought. It is so much better that I don't really have the vocabulary to explain the difference. Strong, earthy coffee taste, but no bitterness. Caramel-smooth, says Mrs. HowChow. Pele Plantation provides the coffee for the espresso bar and the luxury suites at the Four Seasons resort, so you know that is the taste must be special. If you want to try a special coffee, buy from Pele Plantations because they're going to treat you honestly. Every store on the Big Island offered "Kona" coffee, and they're mostly big company brands so you have no idea what you're really getting. In contrast, we stood in Pele Plantation's garage with burlap bags of the different varieties. We decided on "Mauka Fire" on Cynthia's recommendation, and we watched Gus roast three pounds just for us. They have no coffee on the shelf. It's all bagged in green form, then roasted for your order. Too expensive for most people, but a real treat if coffee is your little luxury and cheaper than most "Kona" sold on the island. If you go to the Big Island, definitely call for a Pele Plantation tour. Years ago, I went on a stuffy tourist tour in Costa Rica. That isn't Cynthia's style. She outfitted Mrs. HowChow with picking gear and walked us right into the fields where plants grow in the fast-draining lava rocks. We learned about coffee plant. We heard about local economics and about Gus and Cynthia's first date. We saw their macadamia nut trees. We saw their sheep. (We saw more of the ram than we ever expected, if you know what I mean.) Then, we came back to the house, and Cynthia was going to run the pulping mill just for us until we promised that we had seen enough. It's a comprehensive tour, and I really believed Cynthia when she said, "You don't have to buy any coffee." The really interesting option at Pele Plantations is their coffee club. You pick your schedule -- deciding the type of beans, the roast and the frequency. You could buy every month, every two months, every three. No minimum enrollment. No penalty if you cancel. The Brocksens think that you love their coffee, so they'll stand up for it. read more

This was a very nice place to stop on our trip to Hawaii. Melanie, one of the owners, is very wonderful. Tours are by appointment only. It's a family farm and it's very generous of them to invite people to their home to see all the work that goes into farming organic coffee. The views are amazing and the coffee smells wonderful. I think the best part was sitting on the back porch with Melanie enjoying a cup of coffee and having a conversation. I wish them the best and I would recommend a stop here if you have the time. read more

Pele Plantations - Entrance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Waimea, Hawaii

We were lucky enough to visit in September 2018. My parents are interested in great coffee and organic farming, and Pele Plantations has both in spades (get it? it's a farming joke). The location is beautiful and is a nice change of pace from the more tourist-y places on the island. Melanie and Vikram were very knowledgable and even more charming. We felt welcome in their home, and dare I say, their family. Meeting their daughter was added bonus and she is a great saleswoman (not that you need extra convincing since the coffee is amazing). Don't forget to grab some chocolate dipped macadamia nuts either! The delightful combination of smooth coffee with the rich chocolate and giant mac nuts is addicting. Don't say we didn't warn you! read more

My family and I wanted to go on a coffee tour while on our Big Island vacation, and I'm so glad I was able to find Pele Plantation while I was doing research. Melanie and Vikram welcomed us with open arms and gave us a very informative private tour of their family owned farm. After learning about their 100% organic growing and roasting process (which is amazing - its so much work to stay certified year after year), we were treated with a coffee tasting on their lanai with amazing views of their property and the ocean. They have so much passion and dedication for what they do, and you can really tell in the quality of their coffee. We left with many bags for ourselves and for gifts, and signed up to be part of their coffee club. We all can't wait to enjoy the fresh Kona coffee at home and continued correspondence with Melanie and Vikram. If you're looking for a really unique Kona coffee tour run by inspiring people and is not a cookie-cutter tourist trap, definitely try to stop by Pele. read more

This tour was a pleasant surprise. From start to smooth finish. Owners Vikram and Melanie were awesome and gracious tour guides and hosts. We ended up sitting with them and chatting about life while drinking the most excellent coffee and learning the long history of an amazing plantation. Pele Plantations will be enjoyed in our home for a long time to come. read more

A tour of a coffee plantation was on our "to-do" list for this trip to the Big Island. After doing some online research and wanting to avoid the crowds of the bigger operations I stumbled upon the Pele Plantation website. The scenic drive to Kona led us to this hidden gem and although my children were a bit skeptical upon their first impression, as we rounded the final turn and saw the beautiful home of the owners Vikram and Melanie we were relieved that we had made the right choice. Vikram, Melanie and their lovely daughter Ari gave us an informative and interesting tour of their organically-certified plantation and processing operation. Although the growing season was complete in December when we visited, we were walked through the process from harvest to roasting and allowed to touch and smell samples of coffee beans at each stage of the operation. After the tour we were invited to sit with Vikram and Melanie for the tasting portion of the tour. I cannot think of a better way to spend an early afternoon in December. Enjoying freshly roasted, organically-grown coffee in a stunning setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean is something that you will never forget. This was truly one of the most memorable Christmas Eves we have ever spent with our family. Thank you so much to Vikram, Melanie and Ari for welcoming us into your home and inviting us to enjoy your amazing product. We left Pele Plantation with a healthy dose of caffeine, an appreciation for a small family-owned business and plenty of aloha spirit. We hope to visit you again upon a return trip! read more

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Visiting Pele Plantation was one of the highlights of our trip to the Big island! Melanie and her husband Vikram live on the grounds (no pun intended) and give tours of their operation. So impressed by by the old school approach to the process of picking, drying & roasting AND 100% organic. We had fresh roasted packages sent to us to give as gifts and our friends and family are ecstatic. I highly recommend joining their club to get discounts and can set up monthly, bimonthly etc shipping. Oh yeah and their chocolate covered Macadamia nuts are the biggest and best I've ever had! read more

This is such a treat when visiting the big Island. We first found Pele plantation through a quick Google search a couple years ago and have been big fans ever since. It is really spectacular to see where our wonderful organic Kona coffee is grown and processed all the way through the very specific roasting techniques. The owners are very welcoming for scheduled tours and tastings. We typically order coffee year round with fedex shipping and like to pickup up our order when visiting the island. read more

You are a special guest when you visit Pele Plantations. Owners Vikram and Melanie took us on a personal tour of their beautiful plantation grounds and processing facilities. They shared their first-hand experiences with us about running an organic coffee plantation (and with a lot of detail, as I tend to ask a lot of questions). The plantation sits mauka to Highway 11 (on the mountain side) with breathtaking views over the ocean and coastline of Honaunau and Captain Cook. We concluded the tour with a cupping (coffee tasting) of one of their fresh roasts and talked more about their coffee and life on the Big Island. They are very generous with their time and knowledge. You make new friends and leave feeling like you have a glimpse into what it means to be a coffee grower and what life is like running a small business in Hawaii. Booking the tour was easy- I emailed through their website and got an almost immediate response from Melanie. I think they prefer tours in the AM before the weather gets too hot. The tour was free, as was their hospitality, and tasting. We ended up joining their monthly coffee club where we get a freshly roasted pound of organic coffee shipped to us on the mainland (overnighted via FedEx). We got our first shipment of coffee this month and we love every cup we make. Mahalo Melanie and Vikram. read more

I have not visited the plantation but have actually bought their coffee. If you are looking for outstanding Kona Organic coffee this is it. It is by far the best coffee in Kona. The moment you get your package the aroma of the beans seeps and the scent is spectacular. I bought the organic Kona in season in their Pele roast. Shipment was quick, received in two days. Totally worth the purchase. I am very Happy with their product. #KonaOrganicCoffee #Kona #OrganicCoffee #Coffee #Hawaii read more

I remember driving up the hill to the plantation and saying out loud, "man, this is the real deal". From the spectacular views to the walking tour of the farm to the drying racks and roasting room you could feel the owners' passion for quality every step of the way. The was even more apparent at the end when we were able to sample the coffee grown and roasted on the estate. 2 out of 6 in our small group were not coffee drinkers and even they enjoyed a cup, both asking for refills! In addition to a great product, the family running the business is absolutely lovely. I would without reservation recommend a visit to Pele as a highlight for your trip to the Big Island. read more

Absolutely the best 100% pure Kona coffee we've found. I've been getting it for guest that stay in our vacation rental in kona and several people have commented on the exceptional quality of the coffee. It really doesn't get much better....except maybe Pele farms Peabody kona coffee which I get my husband and myself. They are family owned and operated and super easy to work with! read more

We stumbled upon this plantation while on a drive in Kona. The owners were so accommodating and we were able to join a tour that was about to start. It was so personal and informative. We learned a lot about organic coffee farming. Hands down my favorite part was sitting in the backyard with the beautiful view of the ocean chatting and enjoying DELICIOUS coffee and chocolate covered treats. Would recommend this place 100%. read more

My morning coffee is pure bliss now that I started drinking Pele Plantations coffee. The Hoala Pele roast was absolutely delicious. The Ikehu Pele roast is a little milder, but still delicious. read more

This coffee farm produces exceptional coffee. It is a fully vertically integrated operation that produces coffee from only the best beans, picked only when fully ripe. No compromises on quality or taste! Vikram Singh, owner and manager gives what may be the best private tour of his farm found anywhere on the islands. Call ahead for a tour time reservation. read more