Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Kona Coffee Council hold its Ninth Annual Cream of the Crop coffee and dessert tasting competition 9:30-1:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 in the Hoku Amphitheater at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai.

Admission is free.

To the sounds of a Hawaiian band playing island music in the amphitheater, visitors can sample some of the finest coffees and desserts.

Twenty-one select Kona coffee growers will provide sample cups of their brewed coffee along with education about coffee growing and processing in the Kona region. Each coffee grower will have roasted coffee beans for sale.

The competition is divided into three categories of coffee growing: Organic, Estate and Open – which allows all growers an opportunity to participate in the event.

To complement the delicious coffee, chefs from local restaurants and resorts as well as amateurs will offer desserts made with Kona coffee. Visitors may sample all of the desserts.

Visitors may vote for their favorite coffee in the three categories. Local chefs vote for their favorite coffees as well, so visitors can see how their votes compare to those of professionals.

The desserts will be judged by a expert panel of chefs and the results of the voting will be announced before the end of the day.

Interspersed with the coffee and dessert booths will be a number of local artists demonstrating and selling coffee related arts. These artists will be showing their skills at bringing the coffee story into everyday life.

The event is sponsored by Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Kamehameha Schools and the Kona Coffee Council.

More than 800 people attended the eighth annual Kona Coffee Council Cream of the Crop Event.

— Find out more:
www.kona-coffee-council.com