Category: Beans

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History of Kona Coffee – Rich as its Taste!

Reverend Samuel Ruggles

 The History of Coffee in Kona

Uchida Coffee Farm at Kona Living History Farm
Uchida Coffee Farm on Kona Living History Farm

History of coffee in Kona is as rich as its taste! With an area of over 4,028 square miles, the island of Hawaii, also known as “The Big Island”, is home to a beautiful region in the west known as the Kona District. The Kona District is home to many different and wonderful attractions, including the Hawaii Ocean Science & Technology Park, the world-famous Ironman World Championship, the rugged “Gold Coast” with some amazing beaches, sea-turtle habitats, and Kona coffee farms.

Reverend Samuel Ruggles
Reverend Samuel Ruggles (wikipedia)

Coffee isn’t native to Hawaii — it was brought to Kona by Samuel Reverend Ruggles in 1828. He brought arabica cuttings from Brazil to see how well it would take to the Big Island’s climate.

As it turned out, Kona’s daily cycle of morning sunshine, afternoon cloud cover and rich volcanic soil was perfect for the coffee plants. Consequently coffee  established itself as a major crop in Hawaii by the end of the 1800s.

A crash in the price of coffee in the late 1890s led to today’s system of independent family farms. The plantations which had been producing most of the coffee beans were forced to sell their land.  As a result the workers bought or leased the land. Generations later, many of these plantation worker descendants are still farming  Kona coffee on the same land.

Harvesting and Processing – little change throughout history.

Harvesting (picking) and then  processing coffee is a tradition in Kona that you’ll see typically from August to January. Farmers and hired pickers collect the red coffee berries.  These berries contain the coffee beans. Then they pulp the fruit. Also known as “wet milling”. Separating the inner bean from the skin or outer layer. The sun, breeze and consistent raking dries the parchment beans. With the exception of some machinery this is the same system used for generations. Then after dry milling the green beans are roasted, bagged and sent around the world. And finally, into your coffee cup.

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Grading Kona Beans – What do the bean sizes mean

Artisan Roasted Coffee

Grading by bean size and amount of defects.

The dry mill grades the green coffee beans according to size and number of defects in a given batch.

Grading the Beans – Size differences

Fancy or Kona #1 beans make up about 75 percent of the harvest. These are the beans most coffee drinkers are grinding when they’re making their cup.

Extra Fancy beans  make up about 20 percent of a farm’s crop. They are heavier and larger. They are the biggest in size and will have the least amount of defects.

Peaberry  is the rarest of the beans, typically accounting for 3-5% of the total crop. They are genetic anomalies. Normally, two coffee beans are in a berry. However, in the case of peaberry, there’s just one bean. Regular coffee beans are also flat on one side and round on the other, but peaberries look like almost like little footballs. They have a lower acidity and because of their shape, they roast differently and have a slightly different taste. Connoisseurs say they are the smoothest of all and have more of a chocolaty flavor than the other Kona beans .

Estate:

Also, you might hear the term Estate Grown. Estate means all the beans are all from the same farm. Estate is usually not graded so it may contain a mix of all grades of Kona.

No matter what kind of bean you choose to drink, make it 100 Percent Pure Kona Coffee. Its balanced flavor, low acidity and world renowned quality is unparalleled.

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Java Lovers, Beware of the Coffee Borer Beetle!

Bearer Borer Beetle

Kona Coffee is at risk as the coffee borer beetle destroys coffee crops!

Coffee Borer Beetle
Coffee Bearer Borer Beetle

Some know it as the berry borer beetle or the coffee borer beetle. However, this African pest is now invading Kona and is a real threat to its coffee. This pest is about 1.5 mm long. Females can fly short distances but the males do not have wings. The beetle costs the coffee industry over $500 million each year. Due to Kona’s small harvest, a coffee borer beetle infestation would be devastating.
Continue reading Java Lovers, Beware of the Coffee Borer Beetle!

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Processing Kona Coffee Beans

Drying coffee on a hoshidana

Processing

Processing Kona coffee beans, from harvesting the cherries on the trees to roasting the beans, is an extremely labor-intensive process. Coffee cherries, red when they’re at the peak of their maturity, are picked by hand from the months of late August to January. The cherries are fermented and washed in clean, fresh water. Then wet milling separates the beans from the outer skin. The beans are then dried. Next they are dry milled to separate the parchment skin from the green beans. And finally the green beans are roasted and bagged.
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Kona Coffee Blends — Know What You’re Drinking

Fresh brewed Kona Coffee in the cup with fresh roasted beans

Pure Kona Coffee beats a Kona blend every time!

For the best coffee drinking experience, drink 100% Pure Kona Coffee – not a blend of Kona beans and beans from other origins. There’s no mistaking pure Kona coffee. For coffee drinkers, there is nothing like pure Kona coffee, but consumers should know about the different Kona coffee blends.

The difference is in the taste – buyer beware of Kona Coffee blends!

100% Pure Kona Coffee label
Be Sure it is 100% Kona.

Continue reading Kona Coffee Blends — Know What You’re Drinking

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Decaffeinated Kona Coffee – The natural decaf

100% Pure Kona decaffeinated coffee

Not all decaffeinated coffee is the same  

Not all decaf coffee is the same. Dramatic flavor changes occur depending on the decaffeination process. We use carbon dioxide (CO2) to naturally decaffeinate our Kona coffee.  The taste results are far superior to other methods.  Keep the flavor – lose the caffeine.
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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.
Continue reading How to store Kona Beans – extend the shelf life

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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.
Continue reading Kona Coffee Farms in the State of Hawaii

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What Makes Kona Coffee Special?

What Makes Kona Coffee Special

What Makes Kona Coffee Special?

“Kona Coffee has a richer flavor than any other, be it grown where it may and call it by what name you please,” said Mark Twain in 1866. Indeed, people recognize and value Kona Coffee around the world for its special aroma and unique flavor. Rare and unique, Kona coffee is precious to the people of Hawaii and to the people who have tasted it at least once. But what makes Kona coffee special?

Why Does Kona Coffee Taste so Good?

Kona Coffee Plantation
Coffee farm in Kona, Hawaii

What gives Kona Coffee its unique taste prized all over the world? The rich volcanic soil, high elevation, ideal temperatures, and cloud coverage from Hualalai and Mauna Loa Mountains make Kona region the best place to grow coffee beans. The Kona Mountains protect the land from harsh weather. Moreover, sunny mornings and light rains in the afternoon provide the perfect climate for growing coffee. Consequently, this unique environment gives Kona Coffee an advantage over other types of coffee grown in different parts of the world.

People of Hawaii Take Great Care of Kona Coffee

Kona Coffee trees usually bloom after the winter and are ready for harvesting by the end of the summer. Before the harvest begins, you can see the change in the coffee trees. Instead of the beautiful white flowers, “Kona Snow”, the trees have red beans resembling cherries. It is not cheap to grow coffee free of infestation. Ordinarily, this is what makes Kona coffee special and more expensive than many other types of coffee.

What Makes Kona Coffee Special
Ripe Kona Coffee “Cherries”

After the coffee is hand-picked, it might take two weeks for it to be ready for sale after pulping, drying, and hulling before grading. Only the best coffee beans make it into the final product. The 100% Kona coffee directly from the Kona region of the Big Island of Hawaii meets very high standards. People working on the coffee fields and farms, at the mills, and over the roasters take great care to make sure customers drink the best coffee. Furthermore, there are strict rules for labeling coffee in Hawaii, and only true Kona coffee can receive a label 100% Kona coffee. The Kona Coffee Council was formed to protect Kona coffee.

Kona Coffee Is a Rare Find

Real Kona coffee is very rare. Only coffee from the South and North districts of Kona region of the Big Island of Hawaii is truly Kona Coffee. If you purchase a Kona blend in a store, it might have as little as 10% of Kona coffee beans. Meanwhile, the other 90% is made up of less expensive types of coffee beans.

Drinking real Kona Coffee is a wonderful experience. The best way to find a truthful product is to order it directly from a locally owned and operated source. This is why we offer 100% Pure Kona Coffee directly from Kona, Hawaii with FREE shipping options on select products. It is no wonder people from all over the world love Kona coffee. Its unique blend of aromatic flavors and rich taste make it the best coffee around! Some say its the best in the world. Give it a try, and you may never want to drink any other coffee again.

 

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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