Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa Plants Kona Coffee Trees at the Hawaii Big Island Hotel

WAIKOLOA, HI--(Marketwired - May 9, 2013) - In celebration of the 200th anniversary of Kona coffee in Hawaii, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa has planted a Kona coffee orchard at the resort from 40 tree seedlings.

"We wanted the presence of Kona coffee trees as part of our garden of tropical Hawaiian plants so we could educate our guests, who have asked us where they could see a coffee plantation near the resort," said Bill Countryman, general manager of this Waikoloa Beach hotel. "While Kona coffee is widely grown in higher elevation, the coffee grown at Waikoloa Beach Marriott is a beach variety, made to withstand the coastal elements and weather. It is, however, still exceptional in taste," he added.

The seeds are locally grown from Holualoa and the varietal is Kona Pypica. By late August, the hotel expects reddish coffee bean "cherries" to develop that will later be harvested and roasted.

For Executive Sous Chef Jayson Kanekoa, he's experimented with different Kona coffee recipes and shares one of his favorites -- House Grown Arabica Coffee Bean Rub. Kanekoa said, "The coffee adds a wonderful smoky flavor to meat that is subtle and understated."

1/4 cup finely ground coffee beans grown at the Waikoloa Marriott
1/8 tablespoons of cayenne
2 tablespoons paprika powder medium sweet
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
1/2 tablespoon ground coriander
2 boneless rib-eye steaks, 2-inches thick, approximately 12 oz each
1 tablespoon butter
Canola oil

To make the coffee rub, mix all of the above ingredients. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Brush each side of the steak with oil and rub 2 tablespoons of the coffee rub into the steaks. Allow the steaks to stand for at least an hour before cooking.

Over medium-high heat and in a cast iron skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of canola oil. After the butter has melted add in the steaks and cook for 3 minutes on the one side. Flip them and cook for another 3 minutes. Transfer the steaks to a baking sheet and cook in the oven to medium-rare doneness, about 8 to 10 minutes.

About Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Hawaii, the Big Island is located on 15 oceanfront acres overlooking 'Anaeho'omalu Bay and just 18 miles north of the Kona International Airport at Keahole. Offering 555 contemporary guest rooms, suites and cabanas with private lanai and spectacular views, 5,750 square-foot world-renowned Mandara Spa Hawaii and a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment from cardio to free weights, Hawaii Calls Restaurant & Lounge with an outdoor lanai for ocean view dining, three pools including the Infinity pool with lava pots, nearby Waikoloa Golf Club offering 36 holes of championship golf and shops, restaurants and boutiques at The Kings' Shops and the newly-opened Queens' MarketPlace. For more information or Waikoloa resort offers, please visit http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/koamc-waikoloa-beach-marriott-resort-and-spa/ or call toll-free at 800 922-5533 or the hotel at 808 886-6789.

Follow Marriott Resorts Hawaii on Twitter @marriotthawaii or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarriottHawaii.

About Marriott Hotels & Resorts
Marriott Hotels & Resorts is Marriott's signature and most widely distributed brand, with more than 500 hotels and resorts in 54 countries. Marriott continues to inspire performance and a balanced life on the road for discerning and high-achieving business and leisure travelers, offering warm, professional service; sophisticated yet functional guest room design; lobby spaces that facilitate working, dining and socializing; restaurants and bars serving international cuisine prepared simply and from the freshest ingredients; meeting and event spaces and services that are gold standard; and expansive, 24-hour fitness facilities. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com. Follow Marriott Hotels & Resorts on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Marriott.

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