Author: Robin Dutson

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Is Your Coffee Pure Kona — or a Kona Coffee Blend?

100% Pure Kona Coffee Beans - direct from Kona.

Why your Kona Coffee might not be Pure Kona Coffee — but a Kona Coffee Blend!

“Blended” Kona Coffee?

A Kona coffee blend may not mean what you think it might mean.

Do you think it’s a melange of beans from Kona? You’d be wrong,  In this case, a Kona coffee “blend” is a coffee made up from other regions — and the lowest quantity might be Kona coffee. These other coffees in a blend are often from plantations far from Kona, or even Hawaii, for that matter.

The minimal amount of Kona Coffee is added to satisfy labeling requirements. In many cases, these blends take away from the enjoyment of drinking a pure cup of Kona coffee. Also, they may use substandard beans.

Why are blends so popular among manufacturers?

Kona coffee is one of the most expensive coffees available. Raw coffee bean — or green coffee beans — are often six times more expensive than other kinds of beans. A Kona coffee blend is a way for big coffee makers to capitalize on the Kona coffee name for cheap.

A Kona coffee blend takes away from the taste of what little Kona coffee is in the bag. Common Brazilian and Columbian coffee varieties make up 90 percent of the bag of a blend. Actual amount of Kona coffee? Ten percent.

100% Pure Kona Coffee direct from Kona, Hawaii
100% Pure Kona Coffee direct from Kona, Hawaii

In an attempt to safeguard their name, Kona coffee farmers have sued companies claiming to sell Kona coffee. They’ve also sought out federal protection of the Kona name, but larger coffee manufacturers have thwarted those efforts.

In response, Kona coffee farmers banded together to form trade organizations like the Kona Coffee Council. The primary mission of these groups is to ensure consumers buy real Kona coffee. In addition, they educate coffee drinkers at trade shows. These shows  familiarize the world with the unique taste of Kona coffee.

Kona also is host to the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival, a 10-day event held in November to celebrate Hawaii’s favorite crop. Events include art exhibits, coffee farm tours, parades , coffee picking, cupping competitions as well the crowning of Miss Kona Coffee.

Avoid “blends” if you want to experience real Kona coffee. Seek out and buy nothing less than 100 percent pure Kona coffee.

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How to store Kona Beans – extend the shelf life

Roasted Coffee Beans

Store your fresh roasted Kona Coffee properly to maximize flavor and freshness.

Store your coffee in the specially designed resealable, one-way valved bags to extend the shelf life of your Kona coffee
Your coffee arrives in a specially designed bag.

Store your coffee in the bag it arrives in. Your Kona Coffee arrives packed in a one-way valved bag. This valve is specially designed to let the natural gasses of your fresh roasted coffee escape, while not letting oxygen in.
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Kona Coffee Farms in the State of Hawaii

Kona Coffee Plantation

A Complete List of Kona Coffee Farms

There’s nothing like visiting Kona coffee farms if you’re looking for a complete coffee experience when you visit Hawaii.  Unless you’ve flown direct to Kona, you’ll probably have to take an interisland flight to the Big Island of Hawaii. The Kona International Airport is located outside the town at Keahole Point. If you’re in Hilo, you can drive to Kona, but it takes about two and half hours (one way) to get there on the old scenic roads.
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Roasting Kona Coffee Beans – Learn all about roasting

Artisan Roasting Kona Coffee on the San Franciscan Roaster

Roasting Kona Coffee to Perfection!

Roasting Coffee - Roasted Coffee Beans

Roasting Kona Coffee heats the green beans to a desired taste and doneness. The length of time in the roaster varies from approximately 12  to 18 minutes. Time and temperature vary depending on the desired results. Coffee roasting is an art and a science that requires creativity, skill and quality equipment. A great roast master is able to combine scientific analysis, technical ability and art to create the perfect roast profile.

The Kona Coffee Roasting Stages:

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The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

Kona Coffee Festival

The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

November 3, 2017 through November 12, 2017

Kona Coffee Festival The Kona Coffee Festival recognizes the achievements of Kona’s coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans. This award-winning coffee fest is recognized as the oldest and most successful food festival in Hawaii. The festival starts Friday, November 3 and runs through Sunday, November 12, 2017. The festival includes 10 days of events honoring Kona coffees cultural heritage.

Festival Events include:

  • A Lantern Parade.  Historic Kailua Village. Nov 3, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Watch as the lantern parade winds its way through Historic Kailua Village with its glowing procession of light, music and color. And finally culminating with an evening bon dance at Hale Halawai.

  • The Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll.  In historic Holualoa Village. Nov 4 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Stroll through the art district of quaint Holualoa Village. While strolling visit galleries exhibiting an extensive collection of local artists. Also over 30 Kona coffee farms join the festivities offering tastings and products for purchase.

  • The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 4 – 5:30 pm. The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant is hosted by the Kona Coffee Fest each November. A big mahalo to the scholarship sponsor – Ueshima Coffee Company, Ltd. 

    The newly crowned winner will also travel to Japan to promote Kona, it’s special coffee and the industry.

  • The Kona Coffee Recipe Contest & Big Island Showcase. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 5 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Big Island Showcase opens at 10 a.m.  Featuring Hawaii Island products, gifts, and opportunities to buy farmer-direct Kona coffee. Also amateurs, culinary students and professional chefs present their favorite sweet and savory recipes . All featuring 100% Kona Coffee. Keiki (children) showcase sweet or savory snacks. Recipe contest doors open at 11 a.m.
    • You’ll experience:
      • Cooking demonstrations.
      • Judging & award presentations.
      • Public tasting to follow.

More Events:

  • Kona Coffee Cultural Fest Ho’olaule’a. Makaeo County Pavilion. Nov 11 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. A celebration of all things Kona coffee.
    • Ho’olaule’a vents include:
      • Hands-on cultural demonstrations.
      • An ethnic food market.
      • The Festival of Arts & Crafts.
      • Additionally, all-day live entertainment.

Enjoy the beautiful lei contest. Participate in traditional Hawaiian poi making, ikebana and traditional Japanese calligraphy.  Also visit the heritage display. Indeed, all day fun for the entire ohana (family).

  • Kona Coffee Council Farm & Mill Tour.  Leaves from Keauhou Shopping Center.  Nov 7 and 10th – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. You will visit three working coffee farms in Kona. The fee of $75 includes your transportation and a box lunch. Pick up and drop off located in front of Regal Keauhou Stadium 7 Theatres in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Reservations required; book online at www.kona-coffee-council.com.
  • Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour – November 3-10, 2017. Daily at 2:00 pm. $10 with festival button (available for purchase on site). Stroll through this historic farm on a self-guided tour that reveals the story of Kona’s coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. Walk among the coffee trees and meet a “Kona Nightingale”.  Also discover how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry Kona’s world-famous coffee.

Festival Calendar of Events and more info at konacoffeefest.com