Best Kona Coffee

Grown and cultivated on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in Kona district of the big island of Hawaii. Kona coffee is known for the most expensive per pound in the world.

History Of Kona Coffee

The first coffee tree was planted in 1828 by Samuel Reverend Ruggles in the Kona District of Kailua-Kona. Within 71 years nearly 3 million coffee trees had grown throughout the region.

The Kona Coffee brand was recognized in the early 19th century by Henry Nicholas Greenwell an English merchant that developed a reputation for consistent quality.

Coffee cultivation in the Kona district accounts for 95% of the coffee produced in Hawaii, and around 650 farms responsible.

What Is Fake Kona Coffee

According to the Hawaii law to label it “Kona Blend” a minimum of 10% pure Kona coffee must be contained.

The Kona-Kai coffee scandal took place between 1993-1996 when a coffee supplier by the name of Michael Norton was repackaging low quality dark roast and city roast for resale value.

Having a major impact and tarnishing the Kona coffee name, these blends were a mixture of Colombian and Brazilian fillers.

Don’t be fooled by paying more for “Kona blends” as you’ll be paying for a cheap filler of low-quality. So What Do You Look For?

• Purchase packages of Kona coffee labeled “Pure Kona Coffee” and not “100% Pure Hawaii Kona” this indicates its 100% true directly from the farms

• If the coffee origins are outside the North or South Kona Regions, good chance its lower grade coffee beans

• Look for a distinctive percentage of Kona coffee on the label, this is required to be considered truly authentic.

What Is So Special About Kona Coffee?

The volcanic soil and western slopes of the Kona mountains allows for ideal conditions. The two main factors that make it so special is climate and soil in which its grown in.

Western slopes provide shelter and fertile lands combined with sunny mornings and light rain in the afternoons providing a natural irrigation system. All of this makes for a heady aroma of bold taste.

What Does Kona Coffee Taste Like?

The taste of Kona coffee comes from fertile soils and mineral-rich volcanic soils in which it’s grown, allowing the coffee beans to become flavorful.

Kona coffee is very low in acidity so for anyone with a weaker stomach it’s smooth on both digestion and palate. The profiles vary from farm to farm but can be described as light, fruity, and sweet with a hint of spices or nuts.

Why Is Kona Coffee So Expensive?

The main reason Kona coffee is expensive is due to the limited supply, on average 2.7 million pounds of coffee beans are produced each year and a large amount of that is sold directly from the farmers.

Hawaii has limited the area coffee beans can be grown labeled Kona coffee. This makes it even more scarce for land space.

Real estate in Hawaii is higher value than nearly any other country that grows coffee beans, this alone increases prices.

Transportation costs for fertilizer, equipment, and shipping coffee beans from the island attributes to the price.

Labor is costly as Hawaii is a state within US federal regulations and minimum wage standards with a fair trade agreement. Do you think Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya or Ethiopia farmers make $7.25 per hour?

Kona coffee takes 7 – 8 pounds of cherries to produce 1 roasted pound of coffee making the beans $8 per pick. Compare this to the average price of $1.50 (US) per pound or Ethiopia’s $.90 if that.

Does Kona Coffee Have More Caffeine?

No, the high-quality of Kona coffee doesn’t affect the caffeine level per cup. A standard 8 oz cup contains between 90 to 200 mg of caffeine. If you compare this to a can of Coca Cola which contains between 30 – 35 mg or red bull between 76 – 80 mg its quite the difference.

On average caffeine takes 30 – 60 minutes to caffeine to hit peak levels in the blood but alertness begins within 10 minutes.

How Much Does Kona Coffee Cost In Hawaii?

If your planning a trip to Hawaii’s main island, the cheapest way is buying directly from the source. Expect Kona coffee costing more than a regular cup of coffee.

Local coffee shops cost anywhere between $6 – $8 US. Honolulu, Hawaii is known for being one of the most expensive places to live in the United States with coffee being no exception!

If you’re looking to buy 1 – 2 lbs bags of 100 % Kona coffee, it ranges from $20 – $42 US. Buying coffee containing 10% Kona beans will cost less, it ranges from $9 – $25 US. This will not be authentic Kona coffee and contain 90% cheap filler beans.

What Is The Best Kona Coffee

These gourmet coffee beans are grown on the Big Island in the Kona district, with so many options What’s The Best Hawaiian Coffee? Here is a list of 10 of the best. With exceptional taste and limited amount give them a try!

The Koa Coffee Tri Pack

Selling the best beans directly from the farms at the best price possible. If you’ve never had Kona coffee and looking to try samplers this is perfect for you

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Estate Medium Roast 100% Kona Coffee

Each bag is 7 ounces and labeled “Extra Fancy” for a reason, medium roasted to perfection and grown at high elevations giving you the most flavors Kona coffee can offer.

Imbued with all the exotic flavors which is attributed from Hawaii’s Islands for a smoothly delicate cup of coffee!

Koa Peaberry Medium Roast

Only 3.5% of coffee cherries grown produce one bean instead of two, this is what makes Peaberry so rare. Out of 100 bags of Kona coffee, only 3.5 bags will be Peaberry.

Referred to the “Champagne Of Kona” this wonderful roast is full bodied and smooth with a hint of spice.

Volcanica Hawaiian Kona Coffee

What makes Volcanica brand coffee so special is it’s shade-grown at an altitude between 3000 to 7000 feet. This gives a rich flavor, low in acidity and full-bodied taste.

Considered a solid medium roast and easy drinking profile, they have made the list as an “Extra Fancy” Kona coffee. Assuring the coffee beans are delivered as fresh as possible, the beans are roasted only after being bought and give you the option of whole beans or ground for delivery

Kona Peaberry Coffee & Tea

This Single Estate Kona Coffee took first place in 2018 Kona coffee cultural festival in the crown division of the cupping contest.

Vacuum sealed in resealable bags and roasted only after being bought so you get the freshest coffee beans every time. Each batch is sustainable farmed and hand-picked!

Each bag has a full bodied flavor with a Kona smooth taste

Kona Gold Coffee Whole Beans

The process for picking these Kona coffee beans are different in which they are sun roasted and air dried on the plantation. This is the most natural way of extracting full flavor and aromas from the coffee bean itself.

Distinctive flavors the blend produces are sweet full bodied taste, brown sugar, with crisp notes of peach.

Kona Coffee Beans by Imagine

This gourmet coffee has a unique rich flavor grown at a precise elevation of 2,200 feet which has proven to grow the best coffee beans.

Low in acidity for anyone with a weak stomach and specifically appeals to anyone who loves a fruity brew. This coffee has hints of sweet berries with a full bodied taste.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried Kona coffee and want to see what all the talk is about, try. No matter your taste buds prefer, each brand has something unique to offer.

Thank You for stopping by CoffeeBrat.