Kona Coffee

The west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island produces some of the finest coffee beans on the planet. The coffee farms of the golden Kona coast are located on the slopes of Mount Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona districts. Dark, rich, well-drained fertile soil made from volcanic debris, and mild climate provide year-round favourable growing conditions.

“Kanaka Koppe” (Hawaiian island coffee)

In 1825, the English agriculturist John Wilkinson, brought coffee plants from Brazil to Hawaii’s island of Oahu and planted them in the Manoa Valley at the estate of Chief Boki, the island’s governor. In 1828, Reverend Samuel Ruggles, an American missionary, took cuttings from these plants and brought them to the Kona district of the Big Island. This Arabica strain, which originated in the high plateaus of Ethiopia, soon became known as “Kanaka Koppe” (Hawaiian island coffee), although it did not become a valuable crop until later in the 19th century.

Certified Kona Coffee

The region has hundreds of coffee plantations but not all of these produce beans of equal quality. In 1999, the Hawaii state legislature required all Kona coffee to be certified and graded according to very strict standards: all beans must contain 9-12.5 % moisture content, with ranking criteria that categorizes according to size and number of imperfections. This ensures the export of pure Kona coffee.

Peaberry Beans

Peaberry beans are formed when one side of the flower fuses with the other, leaving only one bean in the cherry and a more concentrated flavour. Kona peaberry is considered the champaign brand. Only 3-5% of the entire Kona coffee crop are Peaberry beans. Other top grades (in descending order) include Extra Fancy, Fancy, No.1 and Prime.

Estate Kona

Estate Kona coffee is grown, harvested, roasted and packaged entirely from one plantation or estate. Since it is never blended with beans from other farms, it is the pure embodiment of one estate’s harvest.

Quality Check

To purchase 100% pure Kona Coffee, always check the label. Varying quality and quantities exist. Many “blended” impostors contain 5-10% Kona coffee and 90-95% cheaper, imported beans.

Where to buy organic Kona Coffee online?