Today, the South Kona Fruit Stand is a popular attraction for anyone who wants to taste the best fruit that Hawaii has to offer. However, the farm was formerly tilled for tobacco and coffee. Started by a Japanese family after World War II, it would evolve over the decades thanks to its original customers. Located on a 6+ acre farm, many of the business’ customers were farmers themselves. Over time, they’d bring their fruit trees to the owners, and the end result was endless varieties of fruit. Today, it’s owned by a husband-and-wife team who have both fallen in love with the island and all of its many gifts.
Picked Fresh in the Mornings
As you might expect, the fruit you’ll find at South Kona is seasonal, but this is what makes the organic produce so tempting for locals and visitors. Drivers who weren’t expecting to run across the stand are almost compelled to pull over to the side of the road and check out what’s on offer. Artfully arranged baskets of colorful fruit beckon the eye and attention.
People come back because they know the fruit is as fresh as it can possibly be. It’s a bit of a thrill to bite into a juicy mango or star apple when you know it’s recently ripened in the sun. In other words, expect to run into some people who know the island backwards and forwards during your visit.
Practically Every Kind of Fruit Available
When interviewed about her produce, co-owner Beth said that you could find basically any kind of fruit you could imagine. (The one thing she said didn’t go over well was durian due to the island’s rainfall, which might have been a blessing in disguise when you consider its notorious odor.) She recommends the egg fruit, a variety that really does taste like sweet egg yolks. She also highlighted the white sapote, which tastes like a creamy pear, or the star apple, which is like taking a big bite of melt-in-your-mouth custard.
When the owners lived in New York, the couple might not have originally believed that they would make a cross-country move to an island paradise. However, when a mid-life crisis struck, Beth’s husband, Ken, decided that it was time for a change of scenery. He introduced her to the farm and she fell in love with it. (He also packed all of her things up and shipped them, so she’d have a harder time backing out of it.)
Soaps for Sale
In addition to fruit, the Hawaiian Bath & Body soaps for sale at the stand have also become a big draw. This is cold-pressed soap, meaning none of the ingredients are heated during the process. This helps them retain all of their medicinal and aromatherapy benefits. The owners use no lard and no tallow, only lye mixed in with the oils to make the soap. Once it’s completely mixed, it’s transferred to a wooden tray and then goes through the curing process. From start to finish, it takes 6 weeks for one bar to be ready for sale.
21 varieties of avocados, 19 varieties of mangos, coffee beans, quality soaps: these are just a few of the things that you’ll find at South Kona Fruit Stand. It’s a great place to stop if you’re going to be in the area, but it’s also worth going out of your way if you want a taste of the exotic.
Insider Tips:
-Check out the South Kona Fruit Stand Facebook page for updates on what you’ll find at the shop that day.
-Pay attention to the “Please Don’t Squeeze” signs all over the stand. These fruits are extra juicy!
-Parking is ample, but be sure to bring your own bags as the staff can’t provide any.