Jesse Schwartz guides us through a tasting of exotic fruit. Daniel Lane photo

We are gathered for the inaugural Tasting Kauai Culinary Tour. A day-long culinary romp through paradise where we’ll be sampling Kauai’s best, from farm to fork. The day is packed with an authentic taste of Kauai and includes a tour of Ein Rogel Farm, lunch at the Kauai Marriott Resort, and cocktails with rum from the Koloa Rum Company, made by mixologist Dave Power.

Under a covered awning in the wet morning air, we gaze at a large display of freshly cut tropical fruit. “I always tell people to have a light breakfast because when you come on the tour, you’ll be eating a lot!” says Jesse Schwartz, the guide for Ein Rogel Farm.

The 26-acre sustainable exotic fruit farm is nestled in the Kahuna Valley. There are 80 varieties of tropical fruit on the estate and the five-million-year-old Makaleha Mountain range provides the trees with pristine spring water. Twenty-four of us listen to Jesse, our mouths watering in anticipation. Continue Reading →