taste (true) kona coffee

there is a lot of misinformation about kona coffee. the truth is, it is rare, delicious, and of limited quantity, therefore quite expensive. a bag of kona could run you $30-$70.

watch out for the cheap coffee that says “10% kona blend”, as most of this is just some other cheaply grown arabica coffee. Hawai’i farmers put a lot of care and work into their product, and it is so, so delicious. kona coffee is grown on the arid side of hawai’i island, resulting in deeper and darker flavours (though the peaberry can be interestingly delicate). ka’u is grown on the rainy side, and it is my personal favourite. a very light, almost tea-like coffee with subtle orange flavours.

if you’d like a taste of true kona (and other hawai’i-cultivated) coffee, check out Kona Coffee purveyors in the international marketplace in waikiki! they have a tasting bar full of kona, ka’u and maui grown coffees that are delicious and could be the perfect souvenir to bring home with you.