Best Kona Coffee
January 06, 2022 | Kurt Parker
When I was a youngster, I remember how thrilling it was when someone we knew traveled to Hawaii. They’d bring back shells, chocolate-covered macadamia nuts,. and lots of photographs of plumeria blooms as keepsakes.
The 100 percent Kona coffee beans, however, were the most prized prize.
Kona coffee is in demand type of brew. However, you no longer need to fly to Hawaii to obtain it! These wonderful coffees may be delivered straight to your door. This is thanks to the wonders of internet buying.
Now that you’ve learned a little more about this unusual coffee, it’s time to give it a try. Continue reading to discover more about the best Kona coffee and what makes it so unique. Our team has dedicated time and research to curate the products in this list. We also provided some advice on how to prevent being a victim of a scam. To your next cup of tea!
What’s in this article:
- Kona Coffee Peaberry Medium Roast Whole Bean 100% Kona (The Best Kona Coffee Overall)
- Royal Kona 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee, Estate Medium Roast, Whole Bean (Most Aromatic Kona Coffees)
- Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee (Sweetest Kona Blends)
- Mountain Thunder 100% Kona Coffee Vienna Roast (Most Flavorful Kona Beans)
- Farm-fresh: 100% Kona Coffee | Medium Roast | Whole Beans (Strongest Brew Authentic Kona Coffee)
Our Top 5 Best Kona Coffee
We’ve compiled a list of the top five Kona coffee brands we could discover.
1. Koa Coffee Peaberry Medium Roast Whole Bean 100% Kona – The Best Kona Coffee Overall
In 1977, Koa Coffee began as a tiny family enterprise. They only utilized Kona beans that were 100 percent pure. Since then, it has expanded to include other Hawaiian types. Koa Coffee has received several honors and accolades. This company’s coffees have even been rated among the “Top 10 Coffees in the World” and “Best Coffee in America” by Forbes.
Koa Coffee’s coffee cherries are hand-picked. That implies there will be no bitter green cherries in the mix. Every batch of roasted beans is cupped by Koa Coffee to ensure uniformity.
This item is made entirely of Kona peaberries.
The peaberry is a cross between a typical coffee cherry and a peaberry. The cherry normally produces two seeds that face each other. As a result, one side is flat. Only a single, oval seed develops in the peaberry. Many people feel that this gives the solitary seed greater taste.
Kona coffee is already uncommon, and the Kona peaberry accounts for just approximately 4% of the Kona harvest. As a result, demand significantly outnumbers supply for this coffee. This specific Koa Coffee product is frequently sold out. If you wish to consume this beer on a regular basis, consider signing up for a subscription.
This coffee is one of my favorites. Because it’s so expensive, I only use it as a treat. It reminds me why I enjoy coffee! There is no bitterness in this coffee.
If it were less pricey, I’d drink it all the time, but then I’d miss the particular reward-value of a pot of this brew!
The flavor is pleasant, and the texture is silky.
A little costly, but a lovely guilty pleasure every now and again. While the bloom was “OK,” the aroma of the beans before and after grinding, as well as the tasting, were all rather earthy. There’s something strange about this coffee. This coffee stands up to its reputation.
It’s the smoothest coffee I’ve ever had, and it tastes great.
Strongly suggested.
2.Royal Kona Estate – Most Aromatic Kona Coffee Beans
The Hawaii Coffee Company is a collaboration of various coffee firms working toward a single aim.
Lion Coffee, which has been around since 1864, is part of this group.
In 1969, Royal Kona Coffee was founded. The founders promised the Hawaiian coffee producers that they would buy 100% of their product. The green coffee cherries are always left on the vine to completely mature before being plucked by hand.
The firm operates a coffee factory in Captain Cook, Hawaii’s Kona area. In Captain Cook, you may also visit Royal Kona’s Visitor Center! Aside from bags of 100 percent Kona beans, Royal Kona also offers a 10% Kona mix coffee, as well as flavored and decaffeinated coffees.
Royal Kona is available whole bean or pre-ground. Kona Estate is sourced from a single high-altitude coffee estate. Although this coffee is classified as a medium roast, it is lighter than other medium roasts. The brew has a bright, vibrant flavor with a clean finish. More of the exquisite Kona taste is preserved with a milder roast. However, it lacks the body of the other Kona coffee beans on this list.
This is one of the greatest cups of coffee I’ve ever consumed.
Its scent and lack of bitterness are its selling points.
We’ve tried both the beans and the ground type, and while both are delicious, we find that grinding the beans right before using gives them a more robust flavor.
This is a fantastic coffee that would make a fantastic present.
It has a rich, silky flavor. This Royal Kona coffee is delicious. There is no bitterness in this coffee; it is just delicious.
The medium roast was fantastic. The bean’s full-bodied flavor blooms beautifully. This coffee has a pleasant scent and is easy to drink. In fact, I can drink this coffee without sugar or cream.
It was just as excellent as the Kona that was provided. It’s a single-source, high-quality coffee. When you can grind it yourself and enjoy it discreetly, it’s a treat to drink.
This isn’t your typical “I need a huge bucket of high-caffeine coffee to wake me up so I can get to work” coffee.
The beans are entire, with very little breakage, which is a plus.
This usually suggests that the beans were handled and roasted with care.
3.Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee – Sweetest Kona Blends
Another excellent coffee from Volcanica. Before delivery, this firm roasts all of their coffee to order.
Aloha Farms is also responsible for this product. This, however, is exclusively made up of peaberries. Peaberries are a natural mutation that occurs when a cherry produces only one seed instead of two. These oval beans are prized by coffee enthusiasts for their richer taste.
This coffee is made using washed beans that are then solar- dried. This results in a smooth, nutty, and sweet drink. With a pH of 5.2, it’s also low acid.
The Kona Peaberry coffee from Volcanica comes in a luxurious midnight blue velvet bag.
This is without a doubt one of the best coffees available.
The peaberry beans truly shine with rich cocoa aromas and a silky smoothness.
I discovered that you need to use less of this bean than normal because the initial brew was a little strong but still delicious. Did brew it with the second pot and got it just right. Because it is dark roasted, it has a slightly thicker flavor than Guatemala Coffee Beans.
It also has a softness to it. As I need it, grind a little at a time. This coffee was fantastic.
Over the last decade, I’ve tried a lot of coffees from Amazon, and this is one of my my favorite. I buy my beans from a local roaster most of the time, but once or twice a year, I like to alter things up, do some research, and try something new.
The coffee was somewhat sweet, extremely smooth, aromatic, and flavorful, with a focus on chocolate overtones. These beans did not disappoint when I used the inverted Aeropress method.
If the other two bags I ordered are half as excellent as Volcanica, I’ll be adding it to my rotation on a regular basis.
4. Mountain Thunder 100% Kona Coffee Vienna Roast – Most Flavorful Kona Beans
In both 2003 and 2009, this coffee took first place in the Gevalia Cupping Contest. It is then roasted and packed in vacuum-sealed pouches to protect its freshness. It is low in acidity, handpicked, and responsibly produced. It’s also sun-ripened, earning it the Extra Fancy label.
Mountain Thunder 100 percent Kona medium roast is a smooth roast with caramel and floral nuances. It has a velvety texture and is sun-ripened, low-acid, and hand-picked for exceptional quality.
It’s a coffee that you can swirl in your mouth when you drink it, to enjoy all the subtleties. My “every day” coffee is this coffee, which is good coffee and considerably cheap.
The coffee is delicious.
When I brewed in a tiny pot, the flavor was very similar to a Colombian coffee I bought at Costco.
In my perspective, the pricing is not a good deal for such flavor. I’ve tried a couple different types of Kona coffee and this one is my favorite so far. It has a pleasant flavor and scent, as well as a silky texture.
The acidity and bitterness are both moderate, which is just what I expected from Kona coffee.
For those who are curious, I use a French press to make my coffee. This created a decent cup of coffee for me (based on my equipment and taste preferences).
In fact, it’s excellent. It was fun to try something new and relive that old Hawaii trip, but now it’s back to “normal” for me.
This is, without a doubt, a guilty pleasure of mine.
5.Farm-fresh: 100% Kona Coffee – Strongest Brew Authentic Kona Coffee
Blue Horse is a family -run farm where all the coffee on an estate comes from. The trees are shade grown, resulting in a sweeter flavor and minimal acidity.
Call this what you want but it is not Kona Blend Kona Style! It is made with Kona berries grown only in the coffee belt region
Your beans, following a careful harvesting and selection process, will be roasted in small batches before being packaged and sent to your home. Your coffee is shipped in a zip lock bag, so your beans stay fresh at all times.
Bottom Line:
This is without a doubt one of the greatest coffee I’ve ever had! I understand how costly it is!
However, do yourself a favor and spend a little money on a bag to see for yourself! You will not be sorry!
When I brew it strong, the flavor is overpowering and lingers all day. It’s too weak and washed down when I get the flavor to my preference.
I’m upgrading my review because I’m on the verge of nailing it. Instead of buying coffee, try blending it with it once you’ve tried it on its own.
This coffee is roasted a touch lighter than normal medium roasts, which may pose issues for some people who are used to tasting more caramel and burnt-toast flavors in their coffee.
Because these are less roasted, you can taste more of the bean, which I believe is worth it.
This is a coffee that can be consumed without the use of cream or sugar, allowing the coffee tastes to shine through.
If you want a darker flavor, try the Blue Horse dark roast – it’s not quite espresso black, but it’ll give you the bitterness you’re looking for. It’s similar to the new “yellow-haired espresso” being sold by Starbucks, and I think it makes a delicious cappuccino.
Excellent flavor! A lovely berry undertone. Two things must be true: the potential must be there in the bean, and the beans must have been properly roasted. Kudos!
The beans have a pleasant aroma. It was so strong that I could smell it before I even opened the bag! Not Until today, I had never completely grasped the notion of “smooth” tasting!
There are no harsh or acidic flavors! I want to have greater control over how it is created, not just because of the expense!
I got an excellent coffee maker and grinder, and I’ve tried a lot of various kinds of coffee from all over the world, both whole beans and ground, and let me tell you, it’s a lot of fun.
What is Kona Coffee, and What Makes It Unique?
If you’re looking for the most high-quality coffee on the planet, the term Kona will come up.
If you are looking for other beans, we have the best espresso beans here.
Kona is enriched with flavor. Be it grown where it may. and called by whatever name you want,” according to renowned novelist Mark Twain.
Coffee lovers can look for a good cup of coffee anywhere between New York and San Francisco. But none can compare to Kona coffee grown on Hawaii’s Big Island.
This coffee is grown exclusively in Kona, Hawaii, making it one of the world’s most coveted beans. Guatemalan Typica, a form of Arabica, is the most common bean variety. Yet newer coffee producers are currently introducing new strains.
Kona Coffee’s Background
Horticulturist Don Francisco de Paula Marin was the first to try growing coffee beans in Hawaii in 1817. Despite this, Samuel Ruggles did not succeed in bringing coffee to the Big Island until 1828. Because Hawaii was a significant sugar exporter at the time. So coffee was not a priority until later decades.
Sugar plantation owners shifted to running coffee plantations after Ruggles successfully planted the first coffee plants. These were in Kona, Hawaii. From seedlings in Manoa Valley, Oahu. Unfortunately, the majority of the coffee on the Big Island was destroyed. They were broken by harsh weather and pests in the 1850s.
Thanks to Hermann Widemann, who introduced a type of Guatemalan coffee bean to the island in 1892,. Now coffee production resumed in Hawaii.
After being introduced to Hawaiian coffee manufacturing. This is where Kona Typica didn’t have much time to grow.
The world coffee market crisis happened in 1899. So this caused coffee prices to drop from overstock. Sugar had regained appeal at this time. thus plantation owners shifted back to sugar production.
Demand for coffee increased during World War II. So this allowing coffee production in Hawaii to recommence. The Big Island had record coffee production in the 1960s. as well as a surge in tourism, which became a labor competition for Kona coffee producers.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the popularity of coffee fluctuated. with Kona coffee reigning supreme. However, Kona coffee is not without controversy.
Michael Norton, a coffee wholesaler, peddled substandard coffee as 100 percent Kona coffee between 1993 and 1996. Because of this deceptive product labeling, all coffee exported from Hawaii must be certified. It must be certified by the Department of Agriculture of the State of Hawaii.
What Makes Kona Coffee So Special?
Kona coffee is a specialty coffee that is distinguished from other varieties. This is by its prime farming location and production methods. The Kona Coffee Belt, which includes Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South districts, is the only region in Hawaii where Kona coffee is grown.
The volcanic soil in these mountainous places is rich in nitrates, phosphates, iron, and manganese. all of which encourage healthy plant growth.
Because volcanic soil is new dirt that has recently erupted from deep inside the ground. it is beneficial to Kona coffee beans. so that coffee seedlings is required to be developed into healthy coffee plants on home farms.
Sun is also required for the cultivation of Kona coffee beans. making the western section of the island excellent for coffee cultivation. Sunny mornings and moderate nights, as well as afternoon rains, are typical. The western slopes of Kona, as well as daily cloud cover, provide adequate shade for coffee plants. This is so they can avoid overheating.
For coffee farmers, the western slopes of Kona offer improved drainage options. Because rainwater runs down the hills, coffee crops will not be flooded. These plants will grow and produce sweet-tasting beans on fields. These fields that are up to 3,000 feet above sea level and have plenty of inclines in the soil.
When it comes to picking the seeds from the bushes for milling, farmers take their time.
Hawaii’s coffee harvest season runs from August through December. Hand-picked coffee beans are placed in a basket before being processed via a machine. These machines removes the berry pulp and exposes the bean.
Before putting the Kona coffee beans into fermentation tanks, workers carefully wash them with fresh water.
At lower heights on Kona’s highlands, the beans ferment for 12 hours. while at higher elevations, they ferment for roughly 24 hours. Then they’re let to air dry.
When coffee beans are dried, they have a rigid covering on their surface called parchment. To remove the parchment and prepare the beans for roasting, they are milled and polished.
Farmers take great care during the Kona coffee harvesting process.
So they can guarantee that the end product is a high-quality batch of coffee beans. Therefore, it must meet the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s criteria.
What Does Kona Coffee Consist Of?
When Mark Twain mentioned Kona coffee, he wasn’t referring to the Kona that exists today. He tried a cup of Brazilian Typica coffee when he visited the area. This was brought by Chief Boki to the Big Island.It was from Brazil in 1825 The coffee made from these Typica beans is delicious.
In Hawaii, the Guatemalan Typica trees are the most common, although the former is still there. Red Caturra trees were introduced to Kona orchards in the 1960s. and Bourbon trees have also made their way onto fields.
Some farmers just plant Guatemalan Typica coffee. while others grow a combination of Arabica coffees. All the beans in mixed orchards combine during milling. and go through the same roasting process, but this isn’t a bad thing.
Typica trees provide sweet, mellow coffee with no acidity. This is despite being various types of Arabica coffees.
Because of the mixing of various Typica beans. finding pure Guatemalan Typica coffee in supermarkets can be difficult. Nonetheless, Arabica blends and Kona Typica from the same plantations are widely regarded. This is for their nuanced characteristics.
Is Kona Coffee a Better Alternative?
One of the reasons why many think Kona coffee is superior than the rest. This is because of its excellent, distinct flavor.
You’ll get a bright, clear taste with hints of varied tastes. Tastes like honey, brown sugar, fruit, and milk chocolate. This is becausse pure Kona coffee goes through a good roasting procedure.
It’s possible that the coffee will have virtually peppery wine undertones. The tastes are balanced, and none stands out as being more intense than the others. The modest acidity is offset by a nice lingering finish evocative of almonds and citrus.
The scent of the coffee is also appealing. It tastes like a delectable combination of butter, chocolate, and caramel.
The harmony of flavor, aftertaste, and smell produces a memorable coffee drinking experience. It’s worth emphasizing that this experience only applies to sipping a cup of pure Kona coffee. And not the store-bought mixes.
Coffee goods with a Kona percentage of 10% are not pure. They’re made up of 0 to 10% Kona coffee and another coffee from somewhere else in the world. The reason vendors do this is to profit from the Kona brand’s good reputation.
Unfortunately, using lower-grade coffee dilutes the tastes. So that a cup of Kona coffee should have this. If it happens, then In your mouth, it won’t have the same richness or smoothness.
By the time you will have a sip of Kona Coffee, you can be confident. Because the beans you’re drinking are the best of the harvest. They come with no bitter, unripe, or sick beans in the mix. You may also feel certain that the beans’ natural tastes were able to show through. this is due to the process’s cleanliness.
What’s the Deal With Kona Coffee’s Exorbitant Price?
A group of Hawaii growers, retailers, and processors has emerge. They popped up because of the aftermath of the Norton incident in the mid-1990s. These growers cultivate, produce, and sell Kona coffee. This formed the Kona Coffee Council (KKC).
Its primary goal is to ensure that Kona coffee purchasers obtain 100% Kona coffee. This is rather than cheap mixes with Kona product labeling. The Kona Coffee Producers Association (KKC) defends the interests of Kona coffee growers. They also promote pure Kona coffee sales. They do this while lobbying for brand name protection in the government.
It’s no surprise that Kona coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the worl. With so many safeguards and quality assurance measures in place. Its expenses are also heavily influenced by its manufacture.
Harvesting Kona coffee is a time-consuming procedure since the coffee cherries are hand-picked. Farmers throughout the coffee business use machinery . This is to shake coffee trees to release ripe cherries. They also release over-ripe, and under-ripe cherries. These can make a cup of coffee bitter rather than mild or sweet.
Farmers in Kona choose just the best red coffee cherries from the same trees over a period of months. They also sort them by size or grade, as well as dry processed beans. Farmers and retailers can sell the coffee beans after roasting and hand-packing them.
Mechanically picking coffee cherries can cost as little as three cents per pound. but in Kona, it might cost anywhere from 75 to 85 cents per pound.
Coffee beans may be purchased directly from the trees in the Kona area for roughly $8 per pound. Labor is not included in this pricing. Farmland, labor, gas, power for roasting, marketing, and taxes all contribute to the price of 100% Kona coffee. This then may range from $45 to $60 per pound.
Undoubtedly, Kona coffee is also one of the world’s rarest coffees. It only accounts for roughly 1% of the industry’s coffees, which drives up demand and price.
Final Words
You’ve just learned all there is to know about Kona Coffee and where to buy Kona Coffee.
Based on our preferences and experience with trying out different Kona coffee brands, we adore the Kona Coffee Peaberry Medium Roast Whole Bean 100% Kona because of its smoothness, amazing flavor, rich and full-bodied flavor, and coupled with its great aroma.
What are your thoughts? We’re confident that whichever you choose from the list, you’ll enjoy your next cup of Kona Coffee. For more coffee talk, head to our blogs.