If 7 is a lucky number, then the seventh annual Ka’u Coffee Festival, held this year from Friday through May 3, could be even more of a winner than last year’s event. As an economic stimulus for the rural Ka’u region, these 10 days of fun, educational and tasty activities offer opportunities to experience the sense of place that has made Ka’u coffee an award-winning, world class favorite.
And there are plenty of food-related events, starting with a Paina &Open House at historic Pahala Plantation House on Friday to kick off the festival. Music, hula, food, house tours and, of course, Ka’u coffee, are on the menu from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. For information, visit pahalaplantationcottages.com or call 928-9811.
The popular Ka’u Recipe Contest on Saturday hosts a cooking competition in pupu, entree and dessert categories for both adult and student divisions (judging is at 2 p.m.) at Ka’u Coffee Mill. This free event also includes entertainment, recipe sampling, and of course, Ka’u coffee. Deadline for entry is Thursday; find the entry form and other information at kaucoffeemill.com/upcomingevents.
Coffee &Cattle Day on May 1, includes an all-you-can-eat buffet at Aikane Plantation coffee farm in the Pahala area. The buffet menu includes barbecue pork ribs and chicken, beef stew and rice, chow fun noodles, baked beans, corn on the cob, salad and desserts. Aikane grows coffee, grass fed beef, protea, fruit, taro and more, with a coffee history that traces back to 1894 when J.C Searle planted the first coffee trees in Ka’u. The $25 cost is a bargain, and keiki under 12 are half price. For information, visit aikaneplantation.com or call 927.2252.
Then tantalize your tastebuds on May 2 at the Ka’u Coffee Festival Hoolaulea, a full day of local music, hula, food booths, crafts, displays, coffee tastings and farm/mill tours. Headquartered at the Pahala Community Center, the Ka’u Coffee Experience offers free guided coffee tastings from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Farm tours with shuttle transportation cost $20. Visit kaucoffeefest.com or call 929-9550 for information and reservations for the tours.
The Ka’u Coffee Festival’s mission is to raise awareness of Ka’u as a world-class coffee growing region and it is supported by the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and Hawaii Department of Agriculture. All Ka’u coffee festival events are open to the public. Visit kaucoffeefest.com for a complete list of upcoming events.
To whet your appetite, here are a couple recipes from last year’s recipe contest.
Ka’u coffee chocolate cake with chocolate- coffee frosting
Cake:
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups strong-brewed Ka’u coffee
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour a 9×13” baking pan. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, mayonnaise, and vanilla; beat with mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in coffee (mixture will be thin.) Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and cool completely. Frost when cool.
Frosting:
1 cup mayonnaise
2/3 cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
1 box vanilla instant pudding
1/2 cup finely ground Ka’u coffee
2 cups powdered sugar
2 envelopes Dream Whip
1/2 cup half and half
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, cocoa, instant pudding mix and ground coffee. Add powdered sugar, Dream Whip and half ½ mix until spreading consistency, adding a little more milk if needed. Stir in vanilla. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Coffee mocha mochi
1/2 cup butter
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cans evaporated milk
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups sugar
2 cups mochi flour
1 tablespoon baking soda
In a saucepan over medium heat, stir butter, chocolate chips, milk and vanilla until melted; set aside.
In a mixing bowl, combine sugar, mocha flour and baking soda. Add mixture from saucepan; mix well. Pour into a 9×13 baking pan and bake for 45 minutes in preheated 350 F. oven.
To make Frosting:
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup water
In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water until smooth; set aside.
1 can evaporated milk
1 cup fresh brewed Ka’u coffee
1/2 stick margarine
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
In a saucepan, combine evaporated milk, coffee, margarine, sugar and vanilla; heat over medium heat until almost to a boil. Reduce heat to low; stir in cornstarch mixture and remove from heat. Pour over mochi.