What makes Kona Coffee so special?

Aloha, coffee lovers! Let’s talk about one of the world's most famous coffee varieties: Kona coffee. Hailing from the slopes of Mauna Loa in Hawaii, Kona coffee is renowned for its smooth, rich flavour and distinctive aroma. But what makes this coffee so special? Let's briefly explore its main features.

First and foremost, Kona coffee is known for its unique growing conditions. The coffee trees grow on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano, where the soil is rich in minerals, and the climate is ideal for coffee cultivation. The warm, sunny days and cool, rainy nights provide the right balance of moisture and sunlight for coffee plants to thrive.

But it's not just the environment that sets Kona Coffee apart. The coffee beans themselves are also special. Kona coffee is made from a variety of Arabica coffee beans called Typica, which is known for its exceptional flavour and aroma. The beans are hand-picked and sun-dried, which preserves their natural flavours and oils; our Peaberry (pure Kona coffee) is a good example of it. 

When brewed, Kona coffee has a smooth, medium-bodied texture and low acidity. It is often described as having a nutty flavour with hints of milk chocolate and honey, accompanied by a sweet, floral aroma that will awaken your senses.

Another factor that makes Kona Coffee unique is its limited availability. The Kona coffee region is relatively small, covering just 30 miles along the western coast of Hawaii's Big Island. This means that only a small amount of Kona coffee is produced each year, making it a rare and highly sought-after commodity. 

In fact, Kona coffee is so prized that it is protected by law. Only coffee grown in the Kona district can legally be labelled as "Kona coffee." This ensures that consumers get the genuine product and that Kona coffee farmers receive fair compensation for their hard work.

You've now learned what makes Kona coffee so special. From its unique growing conditions to its exceptional flavour and limited availability, Kona coffee truly is one of the world's most unique and delicious coffee varieties. You can't go wrong with a cup of Kona coffee, whether you're a coffee connoisseur or simply looking for a special treat! 

You can get Kona coffee delivered to your door anywhere in Canada with our nationwide shipping service! Thank you for reading, and Mahalo!


References:

  • Lake, L. M. (2004). A Cup of Aloha: The Kona Coffee Epic Gerald Y. Kinro. Pacific Affairs, 77(2), 383.

  • TAMURA, E. H. (2009). Kona Coffee Living History Farm. Journal of American Ethnic History, 28(3), 71–73.

  • Hawaii Adopts Coffee-labeling Requirements. (2002). Gourmet Retailer, 23(9), 15.

  • Coffee Research Institute. (n.d.). Coffee Varieties. Retrieved from http://www.coffeeresearch.org/coffee/varieties.htm