In
the 1950s the co-operative movement in the Cook Islands resulted
in the re-establishment of coffee as a cash crop. On Atiu, under
the supervision of New Zealand Resident Agent Ron Thorby and
the Cook Islands Agriculture Department, new coffee plantations
were established. The raw coffee was destined for export to
New Zealand where it was processed and marketed.
In 1983, the coffee industry
had collapsed. Government stepped back and left the plantations
to their landowners The poor financial return from selling their
coffee to a Rarotongan company for processing had prompted the
farmers to stop production except for their own private use.
The plantations were overgrown with creepers.
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 Juergen
Manske-Eimke, founding member,
share holder and director of the Atiu Coffee Factory Ltd.
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Find
out how ATIU COFFEE FACTORY was founded and
how its coffee became a product that today can proudly compete
with the world's best coffees. Join
Juergen or his wife Andrea on the
Atiu
Coffee Tour!
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Owing to its 5 to 6 different
flowering stages and consequent ripening (above), Arabica
coffees such as Atiu's one need to be hand picked. Private
growers pick their own coffee or ask for the help of pickers
organised by
Atiu
Coffee Factory Ltd.,
a private local company established in 1984 who buys and processes
it. If
you are here during harvesting time you will be able to witness
the wet processing of the coffee. Now
a long period of sun drying starts.
Atiu Coffee is
one of the last few coffees left in the world
that is still organically grown and
100% sun dried.
The dried or parchment coffee is stored in
sacks. Our roasted coffee is sold as dark or medium roast,
whole beans or ground only
in the bag shown below 
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Atiu
Coffee is roasted freshly on incoming demand. You
will be surprised how much there is to know about a drink
that so many of us enjoy daily but don't really know much
about!
On the veranda
of the Atiu Fibre Arts Studio, a freshly brewed aromatic
cup of coffee waits for you to taste. You can also buy Atiu
Coffee here. The Atiu Coffee Tour
costs NZ$ 15.00
per person (minimum 2). You can book through your travel
agent, accommodator or directly,
ringing (+682) 33031. Please book with 24 hours notice!
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