November 12, 2010 – KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii
Video by David Corrigan | Voice of Karin Stanton
The father and son team of Manny and Mario Ochoa took first place at the Kona Coffee Cupping Competition Thursday at the Keauhou Beach Resort.
Mario manages the 24-acre Buddha’s Cup farm in Holualoa for his parents Manny and Christine. Five acres are planted with Kona coffee. He said there is no secret to growing great coffee other than hard work and dedication.
The panel of four experts judges graded coffee samples from 60 Kona farms during the two-day contest, a signature event of the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. They look for high marks in six categories: fragrance, aroma, taste, nose, aftertaste and body.
Judges said this year’s coffees were above average, with the top three clearly rising above the other entries.
Although the region has suffered drought conditions over the past year, the 2010 crop might have benefitted.
