Craft Chocolate Tasting and Farm Experience on the Big Island
Honolii Orchards offers an intimate experience where guests have ample time to take photos, explore the farm, relax in the tasting room, and make purchases without feeling rushed. Unlike many tour operations in Hawaii that hurry their guests through, we provide a uniquely unhurried experience—a breath of fresh air in a beautiful and serene setting. We also serve as a genetic bank, housing cacao varieties that are not commonly found. This allows guests to explore both the flavors that captivated ancient Mesoamericans and the new flavors from modern genetic varieties that drive the contemporary craft chocolate movement. Driven by rigorous science, we are not just a commercial farm and tour operation but also a public research enterprise. Currently, we are participating in four active research projects and are specially equipped to support ongoing research as our orchards mature. All research published using data from our farm will be publicly available, benefiting farmers worldwide.
About this activity
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Additional Information
- Service animals allowed
Includes
- Chocolate
- Gratuities
Special Instructions
Itinerary
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Estimated Time : 210 minutes
The tour begins with a convenient van pickup in Paukaa before heading to Honolii Orchards, a legacy family farm on Mauna Kea's slopes. Learn about local history as we drive through old macadamia nut groves and cattle pastures. Upon arrival at the farm, sit above the canopy and enjoy the Honolii Orchards Tasting Room's stunning ocean and valley views. Explore the Hamakua Coast’s agricultural history and chat casually before touring the orchards with our master agronomist Colin Hart, where we'll discover the secrets of cacao farming and the mysteries of cacao fermentation. Afterward, delve into chocolate's history, from ancient Mesoamerica to the modern craft movement, before savoring diverse craft chocolates from across Hawaii and experiencing the single-origin nuances as genetics and environment meld flavors. Taste fresh cacao juice, roasted beans, cacao tea, and seasonal fruits. Conclude with insights into chocolate’s craft transformation, akin to Napa’s wine scene. This tour offers a comprehensive education, tastings, and a serene pace, leaving you enriched and knowledgeable. You'll return home with lasting memories and an enhanced appreciation for cacao and chocolate.