Discover the rich, smooth flavor of Kona organic coffee. Featuring a blend of organic beans from Hawaii, it has a bold, rich aroma for any coffee lover who wants to taste the difference that quality coffee can make. Find out the best organic Kona coffee you can buy.
If you’re a coffee lover that’s way beyond simply liking the taste of coffee, and you’re interested in organic Kona coffee in particular, then this is the article for you.
Here, we’ll discuss some of the best Kona organic coffee brands currently available.
Table of Contents
- Best organic Kona coffee – Summary
- What is Kona organic coffee?
- Kona coffee Buying Guide
- Best organic Kona coffee – Reviews
- FAQ
- Closing Thoughts
Best Organic Kona Coffee (Summary)
- Medium roast
- 100% Kona coffee
- Low acidity
- Regular caffeine
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Smooth and nutty
- Ground
- Medium roast
- 100% Kona coffee
- Low acidity
- Regular caffeine
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Fresh, flowery, and fruity
- Ground
- Medium roast
- 100% Kona coffee
- Low acidity
- Regular caffeine
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Creamy milk chocolate, macadamia, and dark cherry
- K cups
- Medium roast
- 100% Kona coffee
- Regular acidity
- Regular caffeine
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Smooth and delicate
- Ground
- Medium roast
- 100% Kona coffee
- Bright acidity
- High caffeine
- 100% Arabica coffee beans
- Bright citrus and delicate caramel
- Ground
What is Organic Kona Coffee?
Kona coffee is a type of Arabica coffee grown on the Big Island of Hawaii, on the Hualalai and Mauna Loa slopes.
Kona coffee beans are some of the most expensive globally, and they are prized for their flavor and complexity.
What Makes it so Special?
Because of the ideal conditions for coffee cultivation in this region – rich volcanic soil, ample rainfall, and warm sunshine – Kona coffee is widely considered to be the best coffee in the world.
It’s Rare
In addition to its excellent flavor, another reason that organic Kona coffee is so sought-after is its rarity. The limited land suitable for growing coffee on the Big Island means that only so much Kona coffee can be produced each year.
This high quality and low quantity combination make this type of coffee quite expensive, even compared to other premium brands. But for coffee lovers who are willing to pay the price, kona organic coffee is worth it.
It’s Tasty
The unique nature of its habitat creates a distinct and pleasant flavor for this coffee.
Sure enough, the freshness of the beans, roast, and brewing method you choose also play a big role in determining how your coffee will taste.
When done right, be prepared to be blown away by the sheer complexity of this coffee’s flavor palette since it has hints of:
- Milk chocolate
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Fruits
- Nuts
Furthermore, this complex flavor lingers on your tongue long after taking a sip, which is not something easily achieved by all coffees.
It’s Organic
Organic Kona coffee is grown using traditional methods passed down for generations. The coffee trees are shaded by other trees, keeping them cool and reducing the need for pesticides.
Due to this and the impossible industrialization caused by the limited growing area, all brands of genuine Kona coffee are certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This means that they have met strict standards for organic agriculture, including requirements for soil quality, use of organic fertilizers, and pest and weed control.
Its Unique Growing Conditions
A coffee plant’s growing conditions play a significant role in its taste. What makes organic Kona coffee special is that Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea’s Hawaii volcanoes shield the coffee trees from winds. Also, these trees grow at elevations between 1500 and 2000 feet above sea level.
Lastly, the day and night cycle gives the coffee its distinct aroma, thanks to the bright sunny mornings, gentle nights, natural humidity caused by rainy afternoons, and mist produced by the sea breeze.
Kona Coffee Buying Guide
While there aren’t many manufacturers that sell actual 100% Kona coffee, the fact that you’ll be paying top-dollar for your morning cup of joe means you’ll still want to pay attention to quality.
When it comes to organic Kona coffee, there are certain things you should look for to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth:
The Roast
Kona coffee is already known for its unique flavor, so you’ll want to make sure that you’re buying a roast that will bring out its best. Like all other types of coffee, Kona coffee is roasted to achieve different flavor profiles.
The three most common roasts are light, medium, and dark, but there are also variations like full city and espresso roast. Light roast has a less intense flavor, while dark roast has a more robust taste.
The Price
Without beating around the bush, the truth is that you’ll be paying top dollar, no matter how you look at it:
- Organic coffee costs more than regular coffee
- Kona coffee costs more than organic coffee
However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of the occasional sales, discounts, or even deals when buying in bulk. Even a 10% discount will be a huge help when considering the full price of a single bag.
Certification
To ensure that your coffee is organic, look for the USDA organic seal on the package since it’s the only factor that indicates organic regulations. It’s always a good sign since not all organic Kona coffee is certified.
This certification demonstrates that the coffee was grown and processed without synthetic chemicals like herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers.
A Source of Scams
When dealing with an expensive high-end product like Kona coffee, there will always be some people who try to take advantage by attempting to sell fake or low-quality products.
Kona Blends
The biggest Kona coffee-related scam is that most vendors don’t sell 100% pure Hawaiian Kona coffee but rather Kona blends. They are nothing more but a mix between Kona coffee and beans from other regions of the globe, like Central and South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
The problem is that they are not 50-50 blends as you would expect, but rather blends containing only 5% to 10% Kona coffee beans.
Although current labeling laws demand that manufacturers disclose the origin of all their beans, this is rarely the case with Kona blends. However, there are ways to distinguish purity:
- If the label doesn’t say 100% Pure Kona Coffee or anything similar, it’s most likely a blend
- A suspiciously low price while not on sale indicates a probable blend
- If you see the name of other types of coffee, it’s most likely a blend
- If the label contains the word blend, then it’s surely a blend
The moral of the story is that it’s best to buy 100% Kona coffee from reputable sources only.
Not from Kona
Another way to get tricked into paying the Kona coffee full price is by buying coffee grown in Hawaiian islands like Maui or Kauai; keep in mind that only coffee cultivated in Kona’s North and South districts on the Big Island of Hawaii is authentic organic Kona coffee.
It’s because these are the only regions with the exact micro-climate required to create the unique flavor that Kona coffee is known for. While coffee cultivated on other Hawaiian islands might have a similar taste, it’s not the real deal.
Even if farmers were to take authentic Kona coffee beans and plant them in Maui or Kauai, the results would still not be the same because of the different climate and soil.
Coffee Grade
According to the Hawaii Coffee Association, Kona coffee beans are graded by size and quality:
- Extra Fancy
- Fancy
- Number 1
- Select
- Prime
- Hawaii No. 3
- OFF-Grade
As you move down the line, the quality of the beans diminishes.
However, keep in mind that the last two grades (Hawaii No. 3 and OFF-Grade) cannot be labeled as Kona Coffee due to factors like size and number of defects. So these will most likely end up as part of blends.
Best Organic Kona Coffee (Reviews)
Here are five of our favorite organic Kona coffee brands:
1. Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee
Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee is organic, fair trade, and roasted in small batches. It’s made with peaberry beans, a rare variety of oval-shaped coffee beans instead of the more common flat bean.
It competes with some of the best organic coffee brands. These beans are handpicked to roast only the best ones in small batches and bring out the unique flavor profile.
Also known as the champagne of the Kona coffee, this coffee variety creates a distinct and deep volcanic flavor in your brew, which is significantly easier to detect than other types of Kona coffee.
The result is a delicious cup of coffee with hints of chocolate, caramel, and nuts. It’s also worth mentioning that this coffee is grown at an altitude of 2,000 feet, which contributes to its spectacular quality.
Besides being exceptionally fine on your taste buds, Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee is gentle on your stomach since it has low acidity
, making it ideal for people who suffer from heartburn or acid reflux.
It’s also fair trade certified, meaning that the growers are paid a fair price for their coffee.
Besides, one extra reason you should feel special about drinking this type of coffee is that it’s produced in very limited supply.
Pros:
- Low acidity
- Grown in volcanic soil for a unique flavor
- Handpicked and roasted in small batches
- Peaberry coffee makes up only 5% of the entire crop
Cons:
- The price tag
Bottom Line
Overall, we think Volcanica Kona Peaberry Coffee is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a high-quality organic Kona coffee to enjoy.
2. Volcanica Hawaiian Kona Extra Fancy Coffee
Volcanica Hawaiian Kona Extra Fancy Coffee is USDA-certified organic and fair trade, meaning that the growers are paid a fair price for their coffee and that the coffee is grown without any harmful chemicals.
However, what makes it different is that it’s made with extra fancy beans, which are the highest quality Kona coffee beans available.
These beans are hand-selected and roasted to perfection to bring out their unique flavor profile. They have a very fresh and lively taste with hints of flowers and fruits like jasmine, bright citrus, tart cherries, and sweeter caramel.
Like the previous coffee, Volcanica Hawaiian Kona Extra Fancy Coffee is grown at an altitude of 2,000 feet for optimal flavor. It’s also 100% Arabica for a smooth, delicious cup of coffee, and its supply is even more limited, making it a real treat to drink.
Furthermore, the beans are treated extensively to reduce their innate acidity, giving them a pH of around 5.2, which is more alkaline than the average coffee.
Pros:
- Hand-selected and roasted to perfection
- Low-acid coffee
- Grown in volcanic soil for a unique flavor
- Highest-rated Kona coffee beans
- Shade-grown
Cons:
- The premium price tag
Bottom Line
If you wish to enjoy a cup of exclusive coffee that will make you feel alive (and not just from the caffeine), then this coffee is definitely for you.
3. San Francisco Bay Coffee 100% Pure Kona Medium Roast K Cups
Just because a coffee is packaged as K-cup doesn’t mean it can’t be high-quality organic coffee. San Francisco Bay Coffee proves this with their 100% Pure Kona Medium Roast K Cups.
Like the other coffees on our list, these K-cups are organic and fair trade certified, and they are all single-sourced from the islands of Hawaii.
However, these cups are unique because they’re made with pure Kona coffee beans. This means that you’re getting all the flavor of Kona coffee with none of the filler – just pure, delicious coffee.
San Francisco Bay Coffee 100% Pure Kona Medium Roast K Cups are medium roast for a balanced flavor profile that appeals to most coffee drinkers. They have a smooth, nutty taste with hints of creamy milk chocolate, macadamia, and dark cherry, and they’re roasted fresh in small batches to ensure quality.
Each K-cup is individually wrapped to preserve freshness, so you can be sure that you’re getting a fresh cup of coffee every time. Besides, they’re also 100% biodegradable, making them a more environmentally friendly option.
Another thing we liked about San Franscisco Bay is its Kona blend variety for those of you who are on a tighter budget but still want to feel the unique flavor of Kona in their morning coffee.
Pros:
- Made with pure Kona coffee beans
- Compatible with all Keurig brewers
- Organic and fair trade
- 100% biodegradable K cups
Cons:
- Specifically designed for a standard cup, so don’t try watering it down
Bottom Line
If you want the rich flavor of Kona coffee together with the convenience of K-cups, San Franscisco Bay offers the perfect product for you.
4. Royal Kona 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee
Preserving tradition is important to the people of Hawaii, which is why they take their coffee seriously. And when it comes to Kona coffee, there’s no brand more serious than Royal Kona.
This company was founded in 1969 by a group of friends passionate about Kona coffee, and they’ve been roasting and distributing the highest-quality beans ever since.
We love it because they focus exclusively on 100% Hawaiian Kona coffee. This means that all their beans are grown on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii.
The volcanic soil and perfect climate give Royal Kona 100% Hawaiian Kona Coffee a unique flavor that you can’t find anywhere else. Besides, it’s also processed and packaged in the same region, so you don’t need to worry about the coffee losing any of its qualities during transportation.
One of the reasons we put our trust in this brand is that it’s Hawaii’s leading coffee supplier for the Island’s hotels, restaurants, and retail stores – and we all know they can’t afford to compromise on quality.
Like San Franscisco Bay, Royal Kona offers a 10% Kona coffee blend, so don’t worry about breaking the bank just to taste Hawaiian coffee.
Pros:
- The beans are grown, processed, and packaged in Hawaii
- Focuses exclusively on 100% Hawaiian Kona coffee
- More expensive than other brands
- 100% single-origin
Cons:
- Only offers ground coffee
Bottom Line
If you want to feel the true flavor of Kona coffee grown, processed, and packaged in Hawaii, this is the coffee you want.
5. Greenwell Farms 100% Kona Coffee
Some people like diversity without sacrificing quality. In this case, the solution is to have various blends with different flavors that retain the same high-quality organic standards.
That’s where Greenwell Farms comes in. This company is based in Kona, which is where the coffee is from, and it offers six different Kona coffee mixes that you’ll fall head over heels for:
Regardless of which you choose, you’re in for a treat since all coffee is organic and roasted to perfection.
All mixes have delicate and hard-to-forget flavors, such as the medium roast that’s bright with predominant aromas of tropical fruits like citruses and subtle hints of vanilla and caramel.
What you should remember about Greenwell Farms 100% Kona Coffee is that it’s pretty acidic and with extremely high caffeine content. So if you suffer from any stomach issues or high blood pressure, you’re best off with other roasts.
The one downside of this company is that it doesn’t have any decaf options. So if you’re looking for Kona coffee that won’t keep you up at night, this isn’t it.
Pros:
- Each roast has a different distinctive flavor
- Offers 6 different Kona coffee mixes
- All organic and roasted to perfection
- 100% Kona coffee beans
Cons:
- No decaf options
Bottom Line
If you’re the type of person who likes changing their coffee’s feel from time to time but still wants to taste the good stuff, give this brand a try.
Organic Kona Coffee (FAQ)
Find out more about kona organic coffee.
Is Kona coffee organic?
All Kona coffee from reputable sources is organic, thanks to the growing conditions (lava soil, high altitudes, etc.).
What is so special about Kona coffee?
The unique growing conditions give this coffee a distinctive flavor that has made it famous worldwide. Besides, almost all Kona coffee farms are run by families that have been in the business for generations.
How do I know if my Kona coffee is real?
Check the label for 100% Pure Kone Coffee and cultivation source (Kona’s North and South districts on the Big Island0). Also, it shouldn’t contain the word blend.
Is Kona blend coffee good?
The flavor of Kona blend coffee isn’t as good as 100% pure Kona coffee still decent. It’s because it has a low percentage of Kona beans. But it’s still a good option if you prefer a cheaper Kona coffee with a slightly weaker flavor.
How do I choose Kona coffee?
Always look at how the beans have been graded. Fancy and Extra Fancy are the best options.
Closing Thoughts
And there you have it: everything you need to know about kona organic coffee. As you can see, it’s a very special coffee grown in unique conditions and with a universally loved flavor.
So, if you’re looking for a great cup of organic coffee that is sure to please, then look no further than organic Kona coffee.
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