Big Island Coffee Roasters - Ka'u Maragogipe | Giant Elephant Bean

Maragogipe is a unique giant bean coffee that is considered a top-tier variety by coffee connoisseurs around the world. As one of our top requested coffees, it’s highly sought after and offered just a few times each year.

Maragogipe has been planted in a handful of farms across the Hawaiian Islands, most notably in the Ka‘ū district, but usually planted in very low numbers and scattered amongst the more dominant varieties like Typica and Caturra.  

Maragogipe is a natural mutation of Typica (an Arabica species) that was first identified in 1870 in the Brazilian city of Maragogipe. It’s often referred to as “elephant bean” coffee. For over a century, it was considered an inferior variety, as its low yield and rust susceptibility made it unfavorable compared to more common commercial varieties. Hence, coffee growers commonly replace it with varieties that have stronger yields and improved disease resistance.

This Kaʻū Maragogipe is milled in small batches and roasted to order.