Cona Coffee or Kona Coffee? Coffee maker vs. best Hawaiian coffee | 2023 Update

If coffee terminology and jargon weren’t already complicated enough in 2023, there are also plenty of words that have double-meanings. Or at least, words that sound the same but actually refer to two completely different things.

One example being Cona Coffee and Kona Coffee. As the spelling suggests, these words sound identical when spoken. But if you were to ask a true specialty coffee expert for their thoughts on either of them, you’d have to be a little more specific or descriptive. The reason being that while one refers to possibly the best coffee in the world, the other is a popular coffee maker.

The Cona Vacuum Coffee Maker

First up, those who think that all coffee makers are essentially the same could definitely do with experiencing a glass vacuum coffee maker personally. While the basic principles of coffee always remain the same – infusing liquid with the flavours within the beans/grounds – the glass vacuum coffee maker (or often called Cona Coffee) is often said to be the granddaddy of them all.

This is because it follows the two primary rules of preparing gourmet coffee – the water is poured over the grounds before it reaches boiling point and is only pulled over the grounds once. As the temperature is never allowed to climb too high (ideally should climb no higher than 92-96ºC / 198º-205ºF), the bitter taste associated with low-end coffee is avoided as the required chemical reaction doesn’t take place. Plus the fact that the system is made from glass means that the flavour isn’t in any way affected by the usual plastic or metal housing.

It’s a highly sensory experience many swear by. The coffee is grounded and placed into the top vessel, after which pre-heated water is added to the bottom. A heat source or spirit lamp is then used to heat the water, after which the funnel is placed into the bowl. Then the real magic happens – the liquids defy gravity in a kind of brewing-ballet the likes of which is hypnotic. When it’s all done, the funnel is removed, the coffee poured and the difference experienced.

Seriously – it really does produce a superb cup of coffee! Or should that be, six to eight cups with each cycle.

Kona Coffee

As for its similar-sounding counterpart, Kona Coffee is one of the world’s most famous and highly acclaimed coffees, which is grown exclusively in two volcanic regions on Hawaii’s Big Island. Perched on the slopes of two volcanoes, the unique soil and climate produce this remarkable Hawaiian coffee that’s both unmistakable and one-of-a-kind. Rare, exclusive and reassuringly expensive – the best Kona coffee Hawaii produces is the choice of the true connoisseur.

But it’s not just the growing conditions that contribute to the kind of cup you won’t be forgetting in a hurry. Instead, there’s a highly labour-intensive picking and processing method that’s been followed for generations by growers of the best Kona Coffee Hawaii produces. It’s not the kind of stuff you can simply throw together – a very strict set of rules have to be followed from seed to cup in order to produce the best Kona coffee beans.

There are effectively five reasons why the natural conditions on these volcanic slopes make for the best possible coffee-growing environment, which are:

1. Plenty of sunshine with fairly stable temperatures in the region of 71°F (22ºC)
2. A good amount of shade and cloud cover to prevent direct sunlight damage
3. The elevation of the region (around 2,950 feet / 900 meters) makes a huge difference to the Hawaiian coffee beans
4. Rainfall is extremely generous and consistent, though not overpowering
5. The volcanic soil naturally has outstanding drainage to protect tree roots

Put all of the above together and you have yourself the perfect recipe for an equally perfect Hawaiian coffee. The best Kona coffee Hawaii might not come cheap, but there are many good reasons for this.

First of all, the best Kona coffee beans are produced in comparatively small batches only. There’s not a lot of the stuff to go around, so this incredible Hawaiian coffee tends to fetch a high price. On top of this, the picking and production processes are both long and labour-intensive, which again contributes to a higher final purchase price. Last but not least, there’s the fact that best Kona coffee is quite simply one of the most delicious coffees you’ll ever have the opportunity to try – at any price.

So as you can see, a very similar word with two very different meanings. But if you ask us, both Cona Coffee and Kona Coffee are more than worth checking out for yourself!

You can now order the best Kona coffee beans from Hayman's online coffee store. Hayman offers Hawaiian Kona coffee as unroasted coffee beans (i.e. raw coffee beans for home roasting), roasted whole bean coffee, roasted ground coffee, Nespresso ®* compatible capsules, and coffee pods compatible with Keurig K Cup coffee makers (incl. Keurig 2.0 models)** - click here to order it now, we are offering free worldwide shipping on all purchases!

 

 

* Nespresso® is a registered trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., unrelated to Hayman ®. Our espresso pods are not created or sold by Nespresso®.

** Keurig and K-Cup are registered trademarks of Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. unrelated to Hayman®. Our pods are not created or sold by Keurig®.