There’s plenty of water to be consumed in Maui. There’s plenty of food to be eaten in Maui. There are plenty of leisure activites to be enjoyed in Maui. What there’s not plenty of in Maui: good coffee. No, I’m serious - I’ve asked locals and frequent visitors, and none of them can give me a straight answer. “Where can I get good coffee in Maui?” I’ve already tried the brands that come most recommended - Honolulu Coffee Company and Bad Ass Coffee. The latter certainly lived up to its name, and not in the good way (IMHO). We’ve taken matters into our own hands and aim to brew our own pot tomorrow morning in the hotel room. It’s a dinky li’l coffee machine, but it should work well enough. They had heavy cream at a local grocery store, so we’ll be ready to rock at daybreak. We’ve got 100% kona ground in a bag, too - that’s the real deal. Peet’s has turned me into a snob. Nay, an amateur coffee connoisseur (of sorts). Unless I’m contacted directly by a Maui barista who knows how to bring out the full flavor of kona, I may have to consider the matter closed.

Coffee isn’t just a drink to me, and it’s not another way to get caffeneated. To me, it’s all about the flavor, the aroma, the experience. I can’t sip coffee-flavored water in good conscience, which is what most corner store coffee happens to be. I can’t drink Starbucks because it’s overpriced and overroasted. I can’t seem to find the perfect cup of kona happiness in Maui. There are other islands in this American archipelago, certainly - but we’re only going to be on Maui for the duration of this trip. Sometimes, I wish I was happier with a blended beverage - which are much more forgiving with the taste buds. No, it’s a regular ol’ coffee with regular ol’ cream. Don’t hand me half-and-half or I’ll refuse it outright. I don’t like milk, and I don’t take a non-dairy creamer. It’s *REAL* cream with *REAL* brains behind the brew and beans. My computing skills aren’t as sharp when I’m not content with a cup of coffee. As for good kona coffee? I may very well have to wait until I return home to Seattle to do ‘er up right at home in our French press. Am I missing something here?

[tags]hawaii,maui,coffee,kona,caffeine,beans,brew,coffee blend,coffee machine,honolulu[/tags]