Brit Horn arrived in Kona in 2014 offering her services as a professional coffee roaster to our local industry. After a few years working in and observing the industry, she realized a critical gap existed between growers and consumers here in 91直播.
As a longtime member of the Specialty Coffee Association and an authorized SCA instructor, she was uniquely qualified to offer ways to fill the gap.
She saw that 91直播, especially Kona, was a unique coffee growing area in many ways. Here, many coffee farmers do their own processing taking their crop from the field to bags of roasted beans ready for market. This means the flavor of Kona coffee varies widely from farm to farm and is often inconsistent from year to year.
Brit saw room for improvement between coffee growers and their customers. In 2017, she opened Pacific Coffee Research as a way offer growers, baristas, roasters, processors and curious learners with science-based training, technical services and a deeper understanding of the coffee supply chain. PCR now offers many different classes, courses and events to help coffee growers and producers 鈥渦p their game.鈥�
When I talked to her about ways to improve the relationship between growers and consumers, she immediately reminded me, 鈥淲ith coffee, as with much in life, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.鈥�
In other words, coffee flavor preferences are very subjective. Consumers鈥� tastes vary widely and coffee flavors are based on numerous factors. The farm鈥檚 location and their cultivation practices all affect the flavor. To be successful in the marketplace, growers need to be able to assign a flavor profile to their coffee that will attract customers seeking their specific flavor preferences.
Enter Brit and her team of local professionals to help growers improve their coffee鈥檚 marketability. Pacific Coffee Research has Q graders and trained roasters on staff to teach new skills and offer services that are designed to improve coffee flavors and guarantee consistency.
In describing this process, Brit explained, 鈥淥ur licensed Q graders are comparable to wine sommeliers. They have perfected their sensory skills to analyze coffees based on their aroma and taste.鈥�
One of her Q graders is Meg Duka who began her coffee experience as a barista and cafe manager. She also put in time working on Kona coffee farms and now leads the roasting department at PCR. She brings her well-rounded background and her technical expertise to the role of sourcing, roasting, and maintaining quality control for PCR.
To begin the analytic process at PCR, they ask for a grower鈥檚 green coffee and roast it just slightly to release the inherent and unique aromas and flavors of that crop. They report to the grower the strengths and potential weaknesses in the flavor profile and offer professional advice on roasting techniques that can enhance the strengths and diminish any weaknesses.
At this point growers have the opportunity to seek advice on adding flavors that might improve their coffee. Considering the professional advice, growers can choose a very specific roasting schedule and technique that will bring out the best in their coffee. PCR鈥檚 professional roasters can establish a proprietary roasting profile to achieve the growers鈥� goals.
The end result for growers is a better and more consistent product to offer to their customers. They can now refer to their product as a specialty coffee which should warrant a higher price.
In many ways, PCR benefits the large community of 91直播 coffee consumers while also offering additional services to the local community.
Their monthly class schedule is posted on their website: www.pacificcoffeeresearch.com and includes opportunities to become a Q Grader and/or to develop sensory skills. Building Barista Skills, Roasting and Coffee Cupping are also among the training classes offered.
Community members are welcomed at the monthly Pau Hana Community Tastings, which are free. With different coffees from around the world offered and a variety of important steps in determining and deciphering their flavor profiles, it is a chance to learn about coffee tasting in an enjoyable social setting. This also presents an excellent opportunity to meet Brit and the PCR staff and learn about their services.
PCR also purchases coffee from local and international farmers which they analyze, grade and process as a way of creating their own PCR line of specialty coffees. These high-quality coffees are offered for sale on their website with the name of the farm or country of origin included in the description.
Among the farms featured, you may notice that several are women owned. As a woman owned business, PCR is dedicated to encouraging women farmers and entrepreneurs to pursue their professional goals. Brit also encourages the growers she works with to use sustainable practices on their farms.
Pacific Coffee Research also has a wholesale coffee program that offers a range of services to local coffee businesses. They feature a curated selection of coffees coupled with a support system that includes barista training, equipment sales and tech support, as well as access to their education and consulting services and customer service coaching. Their hands-on approach seeks to empower a business鈥檚 team members to confidently serve exceptional coffee.
The presence of PCR and all its services is a wonderful asset to the coffee industry in 91直播. Do check out their website to learn more about them.
I hope to see you at one of their monthly tastings where I plan to learn more about tasting coffee while enjoying a range of flavors from around the world.
Pacific Coffee Research is located at 72-1189 Makalei Drive in Makani Kai Pacific in Kailua-Kona. For more information on attending a tasting or visiting their facility, call (808) 494-2643.
Gardening events
Saturday: Work Day at Amy Greenwell Garden from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet at the Garden Visitor Center across from the Manago Hotel in Captain Cook. Come with a mask and be prepared to practice social distancing. Volunteers can help with garden maintenance and are invited to bring a brown bag lunch. Water and snacks provided. Call Peter at 323-3318 for more information.
Saturday, July 26: Coffee Berry Borer &Coffee Leaf Rust Management Field Day in Ka鈥榰 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at R&G Farms Olson Site Location (Off of Wood Valley Road 鈥� follow the signs). Bring your own chair for comfort. Registration is required for a lunch.
RSVP at hwww.hawaiicoffeeed.com/cbbclrkau or by contacting Matt at 808-322-0164 at least two days prior to the event.
Thursday, July 24: 91直播 Macadamia Nut Association Annual Meeting and Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nani Mau Gardens in Hilo. Register at www.hawaiimacnut.org. More info at hmnaemail@gmail.com; $50 fee includes lunch.
Being scheduled: Hands on Coffee Grafting Workshops Register at www.hawaiicoffeeed.com/coffeegraftsignup.html to receive notice of dates and times.
Farmer direct markets
Wednesday: Ho鈥榦ulu Farmers Market at Sheraton Kona Resort &Spa at Keauhou Bay
Saturday: Keauhou Farmers Market 8 a.m. to noon at Keauhou Shopping Center
Information on their online market at keauhoufarmersmarket.com/onlinemarket
Kamuela Farmer鈥檚 Market 7:30 a.m. to noon at Pukalani Stables
Waimea Town Market 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Parker School in central Waimea
Waimea 91直播stead Farmers Market from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Waimea middle and elementary school playground
Sunday: Pure Kona Green Market 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Amy Greenwell Garden in Captain Cook
鈥淗amakua Harvest鈥� 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hwy 19 and Mamane Street in Honoka鈥榓
Plant advice lines:
Call 322-4892 to see when they will be back in service.
Diana Duff is a plant adviser, educator and consultant living on Oahu and working part time in Kona.