BEST COFFEE SHOP
Gold 
Akamai Coffee Co.


Read More here: ​https://www.mauimagazine.net/aipono2022/

Kimberly and Byron Brown are Maui’s power couple of coffee. You can taste their detail-driven coffees at two Akamai Coffee Co. locations. One is a drive-thru in Kahului on the corner by Home Depot that’s been open for more than a decade. The other is a drive-thru and cafe in Kihei. 
“All of our coffees are grown on Maui and roasted by us,” says Kim. “Our espresso is our Makawao Avenue Roast–that’s standard in our espresso drinks. Our coffee is super-high in caffeine because we try to keep the best flavor profile in our roasting. We want to pull out the best in the flavor of our coffee so we roast to that specification.”
Akamai in Kihei is gorgeous. Parisian cafe music plays in the background, and there’s a trendy, cohesive aesthetic from their logo packaging on coffee and cups to their seating and wall colors. The cafe has a nice, open feel to it, and it easily converts to an event space if needed. They have a vertical green wall of plants on one side, and cool bird cage-like chairs dangle from the ceiling in front of it. I choose a four-legged chair with a table near the front to chat with Kim and Byron.
“One of the cool things about what we do here is our start to finish process,” says Byron. “From the beans to roasting to exactly where I want the flavors to be. One of the things I had an issue with before was we used to bring our beans in from Seattle up until three and half years ago. The main reason was I couldn’t find any coffee that was grown here and roasted here that I enjoyed. It always did not have the flavors I was looking for. I just thought Maui beans couldn’t develop those flavors.



That changed when he bought his own roaster from the Big Island. 
“I would just make these little batches of beans,” says Byron. “I was roasting all these beans off this little machine and I thought, let’s just see what people think if we do it this way. Because my goal was to serve Maui coffee. I just wanted to keep quality and flavors to my specifics. Once I got it dialed in to where I liked it, I ended up going and getting a big roasting facility set up in Haiku.”
The emphasis is on flavors, bringing out the notes of the certain beans, but because of how they roast their beans, their coffee has a large caffeine content. The trick is to do a lighter roast, and you will retain more caffeine.
“We roast a full city roast,” says Kimberly. “As a result because we are not going any darker than that we get to keep this flavor profile. This one has a lot of chocolate, toast, some berry, cinnamon. The Cortado–we do a double restricted espresso shot, two ounces and then the rest is milk. It’s also called a ‘Gibraltar.’ These are the kinds of terminology and drinks I have to stay up with.”
Then there’s the Hawaiian Honey Bee, a 12-ounce espresso with steamed milk, honey, vanilla and coconut. It’s delicious. The chai is their own blend.
“This is our own in house chai,” says Kim. “We came up with this recipe about eight years ago. We make it from scratch. I bring in all the spices from all over the world and we brew it here. It’s really really special.”
There are a lot of factors that go into the process of making an Akamai coffee.
“It’s not just the beans,” says Byron. “The beans are huge, really important. But it’s the water quality as well. The water quality we have here is phenomenal. Both places in fact. Our grinders are extremely high quality. Then we have the best machines in the world. Synessos, the way they are designed, the pump system, the heat–they are so elegant. It’s all of these elements coming together in the cup that’s going to make this one of the best coffee experiences you can have. It’s always been our goal to compete on a world level.”
Their coffee was recognized at a world coffee expo in Seattle. Tommy Bahamas also carries their coffee, as does Pint and Cork. 
“We do three types of cold brew,” says Alex Gazley, who also works at Akamai. “Toddy is a 48-hour cold brew, and we use the Yellow Brick Road roast, which includes four different bean varieties. It’s delicious, really smooth. No harsh finish. Then there is the NOLA–a New Orleans style cold brew. Same roast as the toddy but brewed a little shorter, slightly sweetened and capped with milk. It has a nice, rich, earthy taste–we add the chicory root at the same time as the beans so it’s brewed the whole time, and then after that process we add a little bit of sweetener. When we serve it, we pull it from the tap.”
Gazley’s third and favorite cold brew is the Nitro. It is a seasonal roast, served from the tap as pure coffee infused with nitrogen. It has a foam head on top.



The cafe also offers some fresh fruit smoothies, Italian sodas, as well as light cafe fare such as banana bread, cinnamon rolls, croissant sandwiches, baguettes, cookies, with gluten-free and vegan-choices, too. Their are so many options for coffee from their signature drinks to their aeropress and pour-overs. 
The Browns really want this to be a hub for community and connection. That’s why there’s no wi-fi.
“We designed and built the Kihei location with the intent to provide a venue to showcase our techniques and our Maui coffees, as well as cultivate a space for the community to meet up with a friend, have conversation and connect on a human level,” says Byron. “We do not offer wifi for this reason.”
The drive-thru window has been a boon for the convenience fans, but it also meant no liquor license. Prices at Akamai are also a bit higher than other coffee shops, but for a good reason.
“Everything is 100 percent Maui,” says Byron. “Our cold brews, the Nitro is 100 percent Peaberry. That is a very expensive bean. Our espresso, our brew, our cold brew toddy is 100 percent Maui. I work with Kimo Falconer for the beans. He’s excited that our coffees are being presented on this world level. This year, we were featured at the world coffee expo in Seattle. We were so honored. I’m not a fan of calling Maui Coffee if it’s only 10 percent Maui coffee. Hawaii is the only place in the world that allows that. Our future goal is to have a coffee roasting tour. We are designing it now. We want to have the roaster there and a place where we can show people what we do.”
Read more here: ​https://mauitime.com/food-drink/maui-restaurants/akamai-coffee-co-an-exquisite-maui-coffee-experience/

Community Voices Declare Akamai Coffee Co. the Unanimous Choice for Maui's Best Coffee Shop and Coffee Roaster in the 2023 MauiTime Best of Maui Awards
KAHULUI, HAWAII, USA, August 1, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ -- Akamai Coffee Co. was voted the Best Coffee Shop and Coffee Roaster on Maui in the annual 2023 MauiTime Best of Maui awards. The MauiTime Best of Maui awards represent a prestigious accolade, as residents and visitors eagerly nominate and vote to recognize outstanding businesses and services across the island.

“We are deeply honored to be acknowledged by our community as the premier coffee shop and roaster on Maui,” said Byron Brown, the dedicated owner of Akamai Coffee Co. “This recognition serves as a testament to our devotion to serving the highest quality coffee and the unwavering support of our cherished customers.”

Akamai Coffee Co. offers a delightful range of coffee drinks, complemented by a delectable assortment of fresh pastries, snacks, and entrees. Akamai takes great pride in featuring its signature 100% locally grown Maui + Chiapas coffee. This exceptional blend is a harmonious marriage of flavors, bringing together the unique essence of both regions.

“Akamai is dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible coffee experience,” Brown added. “We are grateful for the support of our community, and we look forward to many more years of growing, roasting, and serving the best coffee on Maui.”

In addition to its award-winning coffee, Akamai Coffee Co. is also known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The company has three locations in Kahului, Wailea, and Kihei, which are popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.

About Akamai Coffee Co.: 
As a family-owned business, Akamai Coffee Co. wholeheartedly embraces the mission to deliver the spirit of aloha globally via its exquisite coffees, that are 100% locally roasted, hand selected coffee beans. With locations in Kahului, Wailea, and Kihei, Akamai offers a delightful mix of coffee drinks, pastries, and snacks.

Their Wailea Village location is particularly noted for its award-winning breakfast and lunch, featuring favorites like the acclaimed avocado toast and fresh berries and cream waffle.

At Akamai, the customer experience is paramount, and this is reflected in their exceptional customer service and unforgettable coffee. Every cup at Akamai Coffee Co. is brewed with the spirit of Aloha, promising you a memorable taste of Maui. 

Named Top 20 Essential Maui Restaurants by Eater.Com.

First and only Coffee Company Awarded the prestigous 'Aipono Award for Best Coffee by Maui Magazine for the past 3 years.

Check the article here: https://www.rochesterfirst.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/647475933/akamai-coffee-co-named-best-coffee-shop-and-coffee-roaster-on-maui/
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Akamai Coffee (116 Wailea Ike Dr, Kihei) – Trendy Coffeeshop with Chic, Modern Vibe

The Bottom Line:Located in the Wailea Village Shops in Kihei, Akamai Coffee is a trendy, modern coffee shop offering locally grown coffee, light breakfast and lunch offerings, and a variety of pastries. The spacious, airy café is a great place to start your day with an expertly crafted beverage while taking in serene ocean and golf course views.
- The HawaiianIslands.com Local Expert Team

Maui is world-renowned for its coffee beans, which are rich in robust flavors, and grown locally all over the island. At Akamai Coffee, they roast their own locally grown beans and use them to craft deliciously fresh and flavorful coffee drinks. Located on Wailea Ike Drive in the Shops at Wailea Village on Maui’s West Coast, you are guided to Akamai Coffee by the intoxicating aroma of roasted coffee beans before you can even see the storefront.
Perched on the second floor of the small, outdoor shopping complex, the building presents a sleek, modern façade. Clean wooden paneling covers the building, surrounding glass doors and large windows. A black wooden overhang and black lettering denote the spot. To one side, there is an inviting, covered outdoor seating area, complete with metal tables and chairs, and simple but decorative overhead lamps. Beyond the patio, catch a relaxing glimpse of the ocean and nearby golf courses.
Inside, soaring white ceilings and a white counter and coffee bar make the small cafe feel airy and spacious. Huge windows let in plenty of bright, Hawaiian sunlight, which reflects off the polished cement floor. The whole establishment is decorated with a variety of lush, colorful potted plants, giving the area a fresh, comfortable feel.
The menu features a variety of beverages and food items. Coffee offerings include brewed coffee, pour-overs, cold brews, a frappe (which is like a coffee-based milkshake,) and several espresso-based drinks, like lattes, cappuccinos, americanos, and café mochas. They also serve matcha, golden milk, Italian sodas, and an assortment of hot and iced teas.
To complement your coffee, they offer a small but diverse menu of breakfast and lunch items. Breakfast seekers can choose from new classics like a croissant sandwich, avocado toast, yogurt and granola, and more. Those looking for lunch options can peruse a small selection of soups and salads. For those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, they have a variety of freshly baked pastries, ice cream sundaes, and affogato.
We enjoyed sampling several menu items. Here are a few of our favorites:
Latte
It may sound simple, but we found Akamai’s traditional latte to be absolutely delicious. The fresh, bold espresso blended brilliantly with the creaminess of the milk to create a warm, flavorful cup of coffee magic. We certainly recommend giving this one a try, no matter what time of day you visit.
N.O.L.A.
This one’s for you, iced coffee fans. The NOLA cold brew uses a base of New Orleans-style coffee, infused with its signature woody, nutty chicory flavor. Milk, ice, and a perfect amount of sweetness give this refreshing drink a tasty flavor profile you won’t soon forget.
Avocado Toast
Fresh avocado, spring-mix greens, radish, onion, feta, and extra virgin olive oil are piled on a perfectly toasted piece of dense, sweet bread, reminiscent of banana bread. The unlikely combination of sweet and savory marry to create a totally unique riff on traditional avocado toast. To take it to the next level, add an organic, free-range egg.
Croissant Sandwich
Guests can choose from ham and cheddar, or turkey and Havarti to fill this expertly constructed sandwich, built on an impossibly buttery and flaky croissant. Upgrade with an egg to make it feel more like breakfast. Neither combination is exactly reinventing the wheel, but there’s something about the simplicity of this sandwich, the perfect blending of familiar flavors, that makes it tasty, satisfying, and memorable.
Whether you need a morning pick me up, a relaxing breakfast, or an afternoon snack, Akamai Coffee has something to whet your whistle. Let us know what you liked best!
Insider Tips:
-Akamai Coffee offers a rotating menu of unique and tasty drink specials. Be sure to ask what specials they’re offering when you stop in.
-There is often a line to get into the café. It tends to move quickly, but it’s not uncommon to wait for 10 minutes or more to get to the counter.
-The Shops at Wailea Village, where Akamai is located, is a cute, upscale, outdoor shopping area featuring artisan and local shops. After you grab your coffee, you might enjoy strolling through the area.
-There is ample parking available, but if you don’t want to drive, Akamai Coffee is located within walking distance of most Wailea area resorts.

The fact that Akamai Coffee holds a slew of prestigious coffee awards, continues to expand, and serves arguably the best cup of joe on Maui is no coincidence. The masterminds behind Akamai Coffee are the keepers of quality and are no less than fastidious about the coffee that graces their shop.

100% Maui Coffee

At Akamai (which means smart in ʻŌlelo Hawaii), a cup of coffee is the result of an elaborate process, rife with details to ensure the highest possible quality. Akamai serves only 100% Maui coffee- but it wasn’t always this way. Akamai owners Kim and Byron, a husband and wife duo, found that Maui’s beans didn’t always provide the best flavor profile, and for years they struggled to find a Maui coffee that suited their taste. That is until they began roasting Maui coffee themselves. Today, Akamai sources Maui grown coffee and roasts them specifically to bring out the coffee’s subtle flavors. Every detail in the coffee process is held to the highest standards, from the equipment used down to the water quality used for brewing.

Today Akamai boasts three locations across the island: a drive-through in the Home Depot parking lot (their initial location that gained them notoriety around Maui), a second small shop across from Times Supermarket on South Kihei Road, and their newest bright location in Wailea Village.

Check the article here: https://hawaiicoffee.com/akamai-coffee-co/​

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