What Drives the Premium Price of Kona Coffee?
The coffee market is built on pure, objective quality. Simply put, the better the coffee, the higher the price.
Major coffee-producing countries enforce strict quality controls to ensure that only the highest-grade beans reach the specialty coffee market. This means that with the good stuff, there’s not a lot to go around.
Among the higher-priced coffees is Kona. This is Hawaii’s signature specialty, and proof that when the brew is exceptional, it earns the recognition it deserves. The best Kona coffee might come at a premium, but it’s unquestionably worth it. Let’s discuss what drives the premium price of Kona coffee.
The Origin of Kona Coffee
Kona coffee comes from the Kona district in the Big Island in Hawaii. Free-draining, mineral-rich volcanic soils characterize the area at altitudes between 500 and 1000 meters. Here, Arabica coffee plants thrive, producing low yields of flavorful, high-quality beans.
Family farms are the backbone of Kona’s coffee industry. Small batches and great attention to detail characterize its artisanal production. Every step of the process is done by hand, enhancing the coffee’s overall quality.
The Process Behind Hawaiian Coffee
Once the coffee cherries are hand-picked, the beans are separated from the pulp and left to ferment naturally. After rinsing, the beans are dried in the open air, protected from the region’s constant rain. After a few weeks, the beans are ready for sorting. Only the largest and most uniform beans, with the fewest defects, are permitted to be sold as Kona.
Kona coffee is rare. Each tree produces only around two pounds of roasted coffee, and the entire region accounts for just about one per cent of the world’s production. However, it’s not just rarity that drives the price up. Kona’s extraordinary flavor and aroma make it one of the most desirable varieties on the market.
The Aroma and Flavor of Kona Coffee Beans
Kona coffee offers rich aromas of caramel, toffee, and milk chocolate with nut and honey undertones that linger into a long, persistent finish. Its smooth, balanced taste is often described as sweet, making it a crowd-pleaser that can be enjoyed at any hour.
Acidity is well-balanced in Kona coffee. It offers just enough brightness to balance its natural sweetness. When it comes to bitterness, Kona is recognized as one of the least bitter specialty varieties. With this Hawaiian specialty, it’s all about flavor and balance — two qualities that define every cup.
Not Only Rare, But Delicious
Explore Hayman’s collection and order the best Kona coffee Hawaii produces as a one-off purchase, through our coffee subscription service, or as part of our gift sets.
Order Kona coffee in a range of formats, including green beans, roasted whole beans, ground coffee, and coffee pods or coffee capsules compatible with all major systems. Kona coffee may be pricier than regular coffee, but it only takes a sip to realize its true value as a rare commodity. Kona coffee stands among the world’s finest specialty varieties, a benchmark for quality and flavor. Kona is irresistible to experts and enthusiasts alike!
