When you think of Hawaii, what comes to mind is some beautiful holiday resorts and breathtaking coral reefs. But, Hawaii is also home to one of the finest coffee in the world: Kona coffee. Hawaii is the only US state and territory that grows coffee. Kona coffee from the island is even rarer, given it grows in only a few specific parts of the big island. If you are into premium coffee, Kona is as good as it gets. Hence, it is vital to understand what Kona coffee is and what makes it stand out from the many other types.
WHAT IS KONA COFFEE?
Kona coffee is a prestigious coffee type that grows on Hawaii’s big island. The coffee grows in only two regions on the island, which are Hualalai and Mauna Loa. Although sometimes coffee companies can use the name Kona loosely, only coffee from the two areas is real Kona coffee. Hence, to ensure you get the premium quality and distinctive taste, you need to be careful not to fall for misleading advertisements.
WHAT MAKES KONA COFFEE SPECIAL?
The climate and the soil in Hualalai and Mauna Loa are what makes Kona coffee special. The soil in the two regions is volcanic and rich in minerals that support the growth of the coffee trees. Also, it drains well, which is crucial given coffee roots don’t do well in standing water. When you combine this with Hawaii’s sunny weather, you get a perfect environment for growing some of the richest coffee beans in the world. These conditions allow for the sugars in the Arabica coffee beans to get their highly robust flavor, making the Kona coffee exceptional. Other things that make coffee from the two Hawaii regions extraordinary include the fact that there is a lot and regular rain. The elevation of up to 3,000 feet above sea level is also perfect for growing coffee.
KONA COFFEE FLAVOR PROFILE
Even the most experienced coffee lovers tend to have difficulties describing the Kona coffee profile. However, what is clear is that the coffee has a medium body and some subtle fruity accents. Depending on how you brew the coffee, you can also taste some hints of chocolate flavor and syrupy undertones. Also, Kona coffee is relatively smooth and creamier than most other premium coffee types out there. If you are a true coffee lover, you are unlikely to forget the taste once you experience it. The taste is one of a kind!
HOW KONA COFFEE IS HARVESTED AND PROCESSED?
Kona coffee beans harvesting begins in late August when the berries start ripening and continue until January. All the berries are hand-picked to ensure that only perfectly ripe ones are selected as unripe or rotten ones do not make good coffee.
PULPING AND FERMENTATION
After harvesting, the berries have to go through the pulper within 24 hours, which ensures extraction of the beans when they are still as fresh as possible. Once the pulp is removed, the beans have to stay in a fermentation tank for up to 24 hours.
DRYING
The Kona coffee beans are then rinsed thoroughly in preparation for drying. Most factories have specially designed racks for this, and it takes at least two weeks for the beans to dry adequately. During the drying process, the beans have to attain a strict moisture level of 9 to 12.2%. Anything not within this range is unacceptable as Kona coffee. It will not get approval from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.
STORAGE
The last step in the process is storage, but it is also vital in maintaining the high Kona coffee standards. Once the beans attain the desired moisture level, they will be stored in special parchment bags. These bags keep them fresh before they go to the market as green beans or as they await roasting.
KONA COFFEE GRADES
Kona coffee producers will classify it in different grades based on the overall quality of the coffee and other factors like the size of the beans. There are 4 primary grades.
- Extra fancy – This is the highest grade of Kona coffee you can get anywhere
- Fancy – Also a high quality but not as good as extra fancy
- Kona No. 1 – Mid-grade that is often sold in large volumes for commercial use
- Prime – The lowest grade of Kona beans but still a premium-quality coffee
Note: The levels above are for the type 1 Kona coffee, but there is also a type 2, which includes two categories: Peaberry No. 1 and Peaberry Prime.
BEST ROAST FOR KONA COFFEE
If you want the best flavors and experience from your Kona coffee, it is always better to give the beans a medium roast. With a medium roast, you preserve all the flavor profiles as a dark roast might eliminate some, while a light roast does not bring out all of them. Coffee lovers that prefer to roast their coffee at home have a specific roast type they like. While you can still stick with this, you risk missing out on particular flavor characteristics if your roast is not a medium roast.
KONA COFFEE VS. KONA BLEND
As you shop for Kona coffee, you will likely come across terms like “Kona Style” and “Kona Blend.” If you don’t have enough experience, you can easily assume both to be the same as Kona coffee. Given that Kona blends are cheaper, chances are you will end up buying the mix blend instead of the pure Kona coffee. However, mixed blends are not the same as 100% Kona coffee. Kona Blend is a blend of the real Kona beans with other coffee beans, such as Brazilian and Ethiopian coffee. These blends only need to have a minimum of 10% Kona beans. Therefore you will not be getting the authentic Kona Coffee you want. On the other hand, Kona style can mean any coffee that adheres to the strict Kona standards but is not grown in the Hualalai and Mauna Loa regions. Also, this is often a generic term for coffee that is harvested and processed the same way as the real Kona coffee.
BEST WAYS TO MAKE KONA COFFEE
You need to brew your Kona coffee well to get the best experience. The French press and drip brewing methods seem to bring out the best flavors from Kona coffee beans. The French press works well, given that these coffee beans are not very acidic. A Frech Press will allow you to get a well-rounded, full-bodied cup of Kona coffee with other pleasant characteristics like natural sweetness. For those that like their coffee super smooth, a French press is perfect. However, make sure the coffee beans are a medium-dark roast as these beans are better for longer steep times. Both manual and automatic drip coffee makers also seem to do Kona coffee justice. The drip method allows you to create a perfectly balanced cup of coffee that highlights even the most subtle flavors. A lighter roast is better when using a drip coffee maker.
FAQS
Q: What Coffee Beans Type is Kona Coffee?
A: Kona coffee is Arabica. However, to be more specific, these coffee beans are Guatemalan Typica, a type of Arabica. But, over the years, some farmers in Hawaii have started growing different strains of Arabica for their Kona coffee.
Q: Is Kona Coffee Ideal for Making Espresso?
A: Provided you give the beans a dark enough roast, they should make some excellent espresso. However, you might lose some of the flavors in the beans as the dark roast requires you to expose them to heat much longer. But, the espresso should still taste great.
Q: Where Else Does Kona Coffee Grow Besides Hawaii?
A: Nowhere. Also, not every coffee that comes from Hawaii is Kona coffee. Only the coffee that grows in Hualalai and Mauna Loa is authentic Kona. There are still many other high-quality coffee types from different parts of the world. Still, they can never be certified as Kona.
Q: What is Coffee Berry Borer?
A: The Coffee Berry Borer is a destructive beetle that infests Arabica coffee strains like Kona. What makes this pest noteworthy is that it is one of the greatest threats to the existence of Kona coffee. But, its spread seems to have been contained through strict quarantines. Therefore, its effects on the production of Kona coffee have significantly diminished.
CONCLUSION
If you are a true coffee fanatic and have yet to try Kona coffee, you are missing one of the best beverages in the world. Kona coffee is a premium-quality coffee that grows in Hawaii only and is hence one of the few types that come from the USA. It is unique because it is a full-bodied coffee with distinct flavors, from fruity to chocolate accents and a distinctive aroma. However, to get the best experience, you need to make sure you get 100% Kona coffee and not the many cheap Kona Style and Kona Blend coffees out there. And remember to keep the roast medium and use a French press or drip coffee maker when making your coffee for the best flavor.
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