I first tasted Kona Coffee over 10 years ago. A co-worker had gone to a conference on Oahu and brought back several bags of flavored Kona Coffee for the office. It came in this beautiful white bag with a picture of palm trees and a sunset on the front of it. It was the best coffee I had ever tasted. Unfortunately, at that time nobody in my area carried Kona Coffee.
I was lucky enough to move to Hawai'i several years later and one of the first things I did was head to the store to find that coffee. What I hadn't realized when I fell in love with that coffee was that it was only a 10% blend. Imagine my delight when I tasted 100% Kona for the first time. Mmmmmm......
Since then, I have become a "coffee snob" in that I drink only Kona Coffee - no Folgers for me. I still drink 10% Kona but I prefer 100% Kona. Compared to Kona every other coffee tastes like dirt. Lucky for me, since I have moved back to the US Mainland many stores now carry both 10% and 100% varieties of Kona.
Kona is Kona Coffee only because it is grown in the Kona district of the Big Island. Most Kona coffee trees are actually descendants of Brazilian plants transplanted in Hawai'i in the early 1800's. The difference comes from the geographical location of the islands, climate, attitude, soil and care that the plants receive during their life span. Another difference in the final product is how the beans are roasted. Many companies grow and produce Kona Coffee but they have different flavors. I have tasted them all and I prefer the flavor of the coffee produced by Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee Co. to any of the others on the market. In my opinion, it is the smoothest, richest Kona available. If you choose to drink or try Kona Coffee just be sure that it is made in Hawai'i in order to be sure it is authentic and remember that Hawaiian Coffee is not necessarily Kona Coffee.
Now, as I said in the title of this post, coffee is more than just a beverage. It has so many uses it really is a wonder plant. Coffee can be used to deodorize skin and refrigerators, make a rich compost or fertilizer, repel ants and fleas, reduce cellulite and......exfoliate skin.
Coffee grounds are a natural exfoliator and the caffeine in the coffee tightens and smooths your skin while temporarily plumping it. Extended use of coffee as an exfoliator will keep your skin healthy and young-looking.
I use Kona Coffee even though other types of coffee would be less expensive because Kona Coffee is a superior product. Since it is grown in rich, volcanic soil it is imbued with nutrients and minerals other coffees don't possess. I purchase the whole beans and grind them myself for addition to my face scrub.
In addition to the coffee I also add Maui Natural Cane Sugar. Sugar absorbs the oils and dirt from the skin while balancing the natural oils of the skin. Again, I could use cheaper sugars but I prefer to use Hawaiian sugar. Residents of Hawai'i have the longest life expectancy in the United States and I honestly believe that the local products used and consumed are partially responsible for that.
Coconut oil holds the ingredients together and naturally moisturizes the skin. Fragrance oil makes it smell good.
So start your day off right with my Kona Coffee Exfoliating Face Scrub.
No comments:
Post a Comment