Kona Coffee is probably one of the most famous coffees, not only throughout the United States, but throughout the world! It gets its fame from its nuanced tasting notes, its rich aroma, and above all its absolutely delicious flavors. So yes, Kona coffee is well-known and highly appreciated, but what is pure Kona coffee? What makes it different from other coffees? And why is it special?

What is Kona Coffee?

Kona coffee is world-renowned for its aroma and taste. As one of the most expensive coffees in the world, a lot of people wonder if pure Kona Coffee is worth the hype or worth the money. Without understanding how or why coffee is qualified and what elements make it more refined, it’s easy to not appreciate the nuances and overlook the qualities that make Kona Coffee truly one of the best in the world. It’s important to know what Kona coffee is and how to find it if you truly want to know why it is indeed worth it!

What Classifies Kona Coffee?

The name “Kona Coffee” is applied to any coffee grown and cultivated on the the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa, two gorgeous mountains on the Big Island of Hawaii. Coffee has to be grown in these Kona districts in order to be classified as Kona Coffee. The porous volcanic soil is rich in minerals and perfect for coffee-growing. Combine that with the sunny weather, misty rain falls, and mild nights, and you get the rich and delicious Kona Coffee. All these qualities make Kona Coffee one of the most expensive in the world.

What makes “pure” Kona Coffee

Coffees are classified by many things. The term “Kona coffee” can only refers to coffee mixes with a certain percentage of pure Kona coffee. When we say “pure Kona coffee”, we mean coffee that is grown within certain areas of the island of Hawaii.

What are Kona Blends?

The rarity and price of Kona Coffee means that it’s not always the most accessible cup. Many retailers have begun selling blends, “Kona Blends”. When you see or hear “Kona Blends” it doesn’t mean that that coffee is a blend of different Kona coffees, but rather that there is blend of pure Kona Coffee with other types of coffee like Brazilian, Colombian, or other more available coffees. In order to qualify as a Kona blend, coffees only need to contain 10% of Kona beans. Many of the blends only include the required minimum. Many sellers will include labels like “Kona Roast” or “Kona Style” to not have to mention “blend”. If you’re looking for real Kona Coffee then look for “100% Kona Coffee”.

Is Pure Kona Coffee Worth It?

Now that you know more about it, hopefully you have a better understanding of what Kona Coffee is and what actually qualifies as pure Kona Coffee. Even with this background knowledge, you’ll still need to try a taste of Kona Coffee in order to fully appreciate what makes it so special. So is Kona Coffee worth it? You’ll have to be the judge but if you want the opinion of someone passionate about coffee, the answer is yes!