Top 4 Kona Coffee Hawaii For Real Coffee Lovers

Why is the Kona coffee Hawaii so special? Wait, have you tasted coffee from Kona coffee? If not, you should have it at the top of the list of coffee to try this year. 

You can buy ground coffee or green coffee beans from coffee stores. However, if you happen to visit Hawaii and love a perfect sip of coffee, don’t forget to buy Kona coffee.

If you’ve not come across the Kona coffee Hawaii, I know what you’re thinking. What is Kona coffee? Is it worth buying? Hold up because we are about to share important details about this coffee. 

Last update on 2023-11-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

So, let’s get to it.

What Is Kona Coffee Hawaii

You must be wondering whether Kona coffee grows in Hawaii. If that’s what you have in mind, then you’re right. 

Kona coffee grows on the volcanic slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa. Kona is on the big island, Hawaii. The region has volcanic soil, rich in minerals and shade, perfect for coffee growing. 

The sunny mornings and cloudy/ rainy afternoons favor coffee to a greater extent. The processing, roasting, and brewing methods influence the taste of your coffee.  

Taste of The Kona Coffee Hawaii 

If you love an authentic, high-quality cup of joe for your morning, you may be interested in Kona coffee. It is rich in aroma and flavor.

Kona coffee is slightly acidic and medium-bodied for real coffee lovers. The growing conditions contribute to the taste of the coffee.  

Kona Coffee Scams To Be Aware Of

As you search for the best Kona coffee Hawaii, you’re likely to get scammed or find brands selling fake Kona coffee. With limited information, you’re likely to fall for the trap. 

So, to help you enjoy an authentic cup of Kona coffee, we have compiled a list of ideas to help you identify the original Kona coffee Hawaii. 

1. Do not buy blends

Although we will look at the price later in this guide, 100% Kona coffee Hawaii is not cheap. The price is way higher compared to other coffees in the market. 

Coffee blends have as low as 10% or even 5% of Kona coffee. You can hardly taste Kona coffee. It’s, therefore, recommended to avoid buying coffee blends as much as possible. 

But, if you have a tight budget, you can buy Kona coffee blends from the top brands.

2. Check where the brand imports its coffee

To avoid falling into the hands of fake coffee, check where a brand imports coffee from. Otherwise, if the packaging information is Hawaii only, it’s likely not Kona coffee. It has to be Kona coffee from the big Island of Hawaii. Ensure that you’re careful to check this information.

3. Check the coffee grade.

Kona coffee is categorized into grades. It helps you to know the quality of the coffee. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDA) grades the coffee. 

So, to help you identify the coffee grades, we’ll list each one of them. These are:

1. Extra Fancy
2. Fancy
3. Kona 
4. Prime

It’s worth noting that these coffee grades are not from Peaberry Kona coffee. They are type 1 coffee, that is, from berries with two coffee beans. Pearberry coffee is type two. 

Extra Fancy has the top/ highest grade. Fancy is high grade, Kona is mid-grade, while Prime is the lowest grade. You’re likely to find Kona coffee in your favorite cafes. 

If you love a perfect sip of Kona coffee Hawaii, make sure you pay attention to the grade.

How To Identify Authentic Kona Coffee

If you’re buying coffee for the first time, it’s not easy to identify whether you’re buying authentic Kona coffee or a fake blend. To make it easy to recognize Kona coffee Hawaii, here’s what you should check. 

1. Check whether the information on the packaging has 100% Kona coffee. Avoid buying blends as they have little to no Kona coffee. 
2. Check for the top brands like Koa, Volcanica, Royal Kona, and Blue Horse coffee. Some of these brands offer additional information like the coffee grade.
3. Check for reviews. How do other coffee lovers feel about the brand or coffee?

Our List of Top 4 Kona Coffee Hawaii For Real Coffee Lovers

Not all coffee grown in Hawaii is Kona coffee. Kona coffee is specifically from the Kona region in the big Island of Hawaii. 

To get the full taste of Kona coffee Hawaii, avoid buying coffee blends. They do not have the taste of the original Kona coffee. 

So, to avoid falling for the ‘fake’ coffee, we have a list of the top 4 coffee to select from the brand. Let’s jump right in. 

1. Royal Kona Coffee Hawaiian

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What is your preference when it comes to roast type? Is it light, medium, or dark roast coffee?

Royal Kona Coffee has a medium roast. If you cannot start a day without a cup of joe, Royal Kona coffee is a top brand to try. 

A 7 ounce bag of Royal Kona has ground coffee that is 100% Kona coffee, but the brand also offers a 10% Kona blend. If you’re looking for a full-bodied, smooth cup of joe, then consider using the Royal Kona coffee for brewing. 

2. Hawaiian Kona Coffee Extra Fancy By Volcanica

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Volcanica is one of the top brands that offer high-quality coffee. The Kona Coffee Hawaii from Volcanica has certification from the state of Hawaii. 

The ground coffee is Extra Fancy. Volcanica guarantees coffee lovers satisfaction from their coffee. 

The flavor notes to expect from Volcanica Hawaiian Kona coffee are – bright citrus/tart cherry tone mixed with a sweeter caramel and Lively floral-fruity notes with a hint of jasmine.

3. Lava Lei Kona Coffee, Whole Coffee Beans

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The advantage of brewing coffee using whole coffee beans is that you have a fresh cup of coffee. The Hawaiian Kona coffee beans from Lava Lei have a medium roast. 

The packaging bag is vacuum-sealed to maintain the freshness of the coffee beans. Whether you start a day with caffeine, at night, or as often as you want to caffeinate, the Kona coffee beans are what you need.

Lave Lei Kona coffee has a caramel sweetness with notes of chocolate and a nutty aroma. 

4. Royal Kona 100% Decaf Coffee

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Coffee lovers vary in coffee preference, taste, and brand. Some prefer high caffeine content, while others prefer low to decaf. So, if you’re among the decaf coffee lovers, Kona coffee Hawaii got your back.

The flavor type of the Royal Kona coffee is Private Reserve. The decaf ground coffee is 100% Kona coffee, and it has a medium roast.

You can enjoy a quality cup of joe from Kona coffee Hawaii at home, restaurant or cafe. 

And that’s it for our top 4 Kona coffee Hawaii to try. The comparison table below compares the prices of brands listed above. As you prepare your shopping list, make sure you have the prices in mind. 

Kona Coffee Hawaii	Price	Star-rating	Roast-level	Type	Caffeine content
Royal Kona Hawaiian Coffee	$28.86	4.4 out of 5	Medium roast	Ground	Caffeinated
Volcanica Kona coffee (Extra Fancy)	$124.99	4.4 out of 5	Medium roast	Ground	Caffeinated
Lava Lei Kona Coffee	$39.99	4.3 out of 5	Medium Roast	Whole coffee beans	250
Royal Kona Decaf Coffee	$29.99	4.2 out of 5	Medium Roast	Ground	Decaffeinated

Where To Shop For Kona Coffee Hawaii

Are you worried that you have to go to the Kona region in Hawaii? Well, that’s a good guess. Besides, Hawaii is the best place to buy authentic Kona coffee. 

As much as it’s the best place to find coffee, you do not have to travel to Hawaii. You can shop for Kona coffee from the supermarkets and coffee stores.

Some of the brands will deliver coffee to your doorstep. All you need is to request for delivery. 

How To Make Coffee Using Kona Coffee Beans

Single-serve coffee brewing is the second most popular after drip coffee brewing in the United States. With the right coffee, you can brew cafe-quality coffee at home.   

Whether you’re using a drip coffee maker, automatic, or single-serve coffee machine, brewing coffee using Kona coffee is fast and easy.

If you prefer Kona coffee beans, you need a coffee grinder. You can use an electric grinder or a manual coffee grinder. 

Although we mentioned it earlier, brewing coffee using coffee beans maintains the flavor of the coffee. Hence, the resulting cup of joe is fresh and rich in aroma. 

After grinding the coffee beans, you can use your preferred coffee machine for brewing. However, if you’re using a capsule brewer like Keurig, you’ll need a compatible reusable filter or a capsule. 

Frequently Asked Questions

With so many brands offering top-quality coffee, it can be daunting to select the best coffee. However, that shouldn’t be your worry. 

That’s because we’ll cover the most common questions about Kona coffee Hawaii. Let’s dive in!

1. Is Kona Coffee Hawaii expensive?

Kona coffee comes at a higher price. You can check the prices in our comparison table above. If you come across cheap Hawaiian Kona coffee, it is likely not 100% Kona coffee. 

2. What should be your consideration when buying Kona coffee Hawaii?

As a real coffee lover, you want to know the brands that offer the best coffee. It helps to identify your preference. Before you buy Kona coffee, have this in mind:

1. Check if the brand has 100% Kona coffee. Otherwise, you might pay for coffee that is not authentic. 
2. If your budget cannot accommodate the price, you can buy a Kona coffee blend. 
3. Roast type. Do you prefer light, medium, or dark roast coffee?

3. Why is Kona coffee so special?

Kona coffee grows on the volcanic slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa. Coffee from the Kona region of Hawaii is special for several reasons. 

The volcanoes have lots of rainfall and sunlight that favor coffee growing. In addition, the rich volcanic soil and shade make it suitable for coffee farming. 

4. What contributes to the high cost of Kona coffee?

From the price list above, you can tell that Kona coffee is not cheap. In fact, if you come across cheap Hawaiian Kona coffee, it is most likely a blend. 

Kona coffee Hawaii is expensive compared to coffee from other regions. The reason is that it is labor-intensive. Picking Kona coffee is expensive. 

5. What does it mean by Peaberry coffee?

If you’ve been shopping around for Kona coffee Hawaii, you must have come around Kona Peaberry coffee. It means that each berry has one seed.

Peaberry coffee is rare and roasts differently compared to the usual coffee bean. It has a rounded shape.

6. What is the processing method for Hawaiian Kona coffee beans?

The method of harvesting the coffee beans is hand-picking. The coffee beans are later processed through the wet process. That is, the coffee beans are soaked in water for 12-24 hours to ferment, then washed in fresh water. The drying process for the coffee beans is sun-drying.

7. Which is the top brand to consider when buying coffee?

Real coffee lovers have a specific taste when it comes to coffee. That also translates to brand preference. It can be tough to specify that brand A is better than brand B. 

Therefore, if you’re planning on buying Kona coffee Hawaii, check for the brand that sells 100% Kona coffee. In addition, check whether this brand lists the coffee grade. 

8. Can you brew coffee using K-cup pods or capsules?

If you have a single-serve coffee maker and want to try the Kona coffee Hawaii, we have some good news for you. Yes! You can brew coffee with the Kona K-cups.

Let’s look at a few options for the K-cup pods for single-serve coffee brewing.

Lava Lei Premium and Pure Kona Coffee

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

With a K-cup, you do not have to worry about having barista skills for coffee brewing. What you need is your favorite K-cup pod that’s compatible with your coffee maker. 

If you have a friend or relative who loves coffee, you may want to gift them 100% Kona coffee from Lava Lei. Each pack has 12 K-cups with a medium roast. 

You can also use the capsules with Keurig coffee makers. Lava Lei capsules are recyclable, meaning that you have no stress disposing of the used K-cups. 

Don Francisco’s Kona Blend

Last update on 2023-12-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Don Francisco is one of the top coffee brands. Each capsule has medium roast coffee that is 10% Kona coffee blend.

Each pack has 24 coffee pods that are compatible with Keurig coffee makers. To brew coffee using your single-serve coffee machine, you only need one capsule to make a quality cup of coffee.

The coffee is sourced, roasted, and packaged in the USA. The coffee has a floral aroma and fruity taste notes.  

Is Kona Coffee Hawaii Worth Buying?

Kona coffee is worth every penny you spend on it. You will love the taste of 100% Kona coffee. Not all brands will offer the best coffee.  

Therefore, be very careful when buying Kona coffee from Hawaii. You’re likely to find fake Kona coffee that is either a blend or Hawaiian coffee.

With our buying guide, you’re not likely to fall into the trap. Kona coffee comes at a higher price than other coffee brands in the coffee store. However, it’s worth the price. 

In fact, it’s likely to be your new favorite. So, now it’s your turn. Which of the top 4 Kona coffee Hawaii will you be buying first?