Kona Coffee and The Burro Connection (Burro)
Why have “burros” (donkeys) been so important to the development of the coffee trade around the world? Without a transportation system, many high-altitude regions of the world with ideal conditions for growing coffee would never have developed. The coffee trade would have been limited to the lower altitudes. This would have restricted the expansion of the coffee acreage, reduced the overall yield of coffee trees, and prevented the cultivation of specialty, higher grade Arabica beans that grow better at higher altitudes.
We really owe the “burros” (donkeys) a big thank you for the many types and grades of coffees we enjoy, especially Kona coffee. Tea “donkey“It is native to the arid mountains of North Africa.”Donkeys“They do not require special breeding programs or training. They are natural pack animals that can carry around 125 pounds of cargo at the speed of a human walk all day. Their helmets do not require shoes, except when the hauling is very heavy and continuum in which Box shoes always make sense. An adult donkey weighs between 400 and 500 pounds and measures between 48 and 52 inches at the shoulder. The coffee growers used easily accessible and inexpensive materials to build the package platform, platform, the front and rear straps to prevent load, shift, and the rope halter used for pack donkeys to follow the leader.
Donkeys are as strong as a mule or horse despite their apparent smaller and shorter appearance. Donkeys learn more slowly than horses and mules, but they remember their training longer. Donkeys are curious animals. This makes them endearing to their owners and very useful in the presence of unexpected situations on the field. Horses “spectrum“When they are scared or surprised. Donkeys don’t do what can be useful and even a life saver. Donkeys retreat a few meters and then spend time investigating the situation in a fairly calm way.”Donkeys“They can be territorial animals which is an advantage in remote areas where coffee farms are located since they discourage wild dogs, pigs and other animals. They are very smart when it comes to avoiding injury, heat exhaustion or dehydration. “Donkeys“They eat the vegetation they find in the fields. For the coffee producers”,donkeys“They are ideal animals. Donkeys do not like the taste of coffee leaves or coffee cherries. What is the result? Donkeys do not eat or damage coffee trees. Also, donkey manure fertilizes fields so organic. “
The “donkeys” became very important contributors to the Kona coffee industry from the beginning. This was particularly evident when traveling up the steep slopes of the Hualalai volcano. Think about it: how easy do you think it is to navigate narrow, winding lava rock trails with bags of gorgeous, market-ready Kona coffee from the high altitudes of Hawaii to the ports of Kealakekua or Kailua-Kona? Donkeys were the perfect animals to travel through such treacherous terrain. They became the livelihood of coffee growers who spend many hours alone inspecting coffee trees and plantations. Coffee growers develop a close bond with their “donkeys”. Donkeys make excellent work animals and pets. “Donkeys“They were largely superseded by inexpensive US Army jeeps that became available as war surpluses in the late 1940s. Four-legged bean carriers were almost entirely displaced from the coffee fields Many, but not all, were released into the bushes to form wild herds that still exist in the Kaupulehu area near the Hualalai Resort and Kona Village Resort areas.
An interesting characteristic of “donkeys” is the distinctive call they have and that can be identified from a distance. They generate sound from the incoming or outgoing air with the known ” hee … haw“Call. At night, around the island, it is very common to hear the braying of the pet donkeys communicating with each other. Some people say that the call of the donkeys means”hee …. still screaming coffee beans? “Donkeys are popular pets on the island. Their view near the coffee farms is a reminder of their valuable contribution to the Kona coffee trade and some farmers still use donkeys to work their land.
The next time you visit the Big Island of Hawaii, sign up for a trail ride and donkey camping trip.. There are many operators that offer this unique experience. You can largely experience some of the conditions that it was like for coffee farmers to travel the slopes and lava hills of Hawaii bringing their Kona beans to market.
In the meantime, how about a delicious cup of ‘Certified’ Kona Extra Fancy Coffee?
