About Kona Coffee

The coffee plant was first brought to Kona in the nineteenth century by Samuel Reverend Ruggles from Brazilian cuttings, although it was not until much later in that century that Kona coffee became a consistent and worthwhile crop. It was grown on large plantations , but the crash in the world coffee market in 1899 caused Kona coffee plantation owners to have to lease out their land to their workers. Most of these workers were originally from Japan , brought in to tend and harvest sugar cane . They worked their leased land parcels of between 5 and 12 acres as family concerns, producing large, quality Kona coffee crops.

The tradition of running family farms has continued throughout Kona. The Japanese-origin families have been joined by Filipinos , mainland Americans, and Europeans. There are approximately 600 Kona coffee farms, with an average farm size of less than 5 acres. In 1997 the total Kona coffee area was 2,290 acres (9 km²) and green coffee bean production just over two million pounds.

There are many things that contribute to the uniqueness of Kona Coffee and its exceptional quality. The most important factor is: location, location, location. The Kona Coffee Belt is roughly 1 mile wide by 30 miles long, situated on the western slopes of two volcanoes, Hualalai and Mauna Loa, at an elevation ranging from 500-3,000 feet. Kona Coffee has been grown on these dark volcanic lava rock slopes of Kona, on the west coast of the Big lsland of Hawaii since the early 1800s. Coffee grown anywhere else in Hawaii is Hawaiian Coffee, but is not Kona Coffee. 100% Pure Kona Coffee is distinguished from all other coffees by its unique island microclimate and extra care taken by generation after generation of coffee farmers.

Like fine wines, Kona Coffee is processed with the utmost attention through each processing stage from handpicking to dry milling. The end result is an extraordinary coffee, delicate yet with a rich flavor and aroma. There is no comparison between hand picked Kona coffee and other, mass produced coffee beans that are harvested by machine.

The cycle of bright sunny mornings, cloud-covered rainy afternoons and mild nights create an ideal growing condition for the Kona coffees trees to mature slowly and flourish. The trees thrive in fertile volcanic soil and natural shade provided by avocado, mango and macadamia nut trees.

When you drink a cup of Kona coffee, you are drinking an exclusive coffee that comprises only 1% of all the coffee grown in the world. We roast it to order and ship it off to you still warm. At prices that work out to about 25 cents per cup, don't you deserve a truly delicious cup of Kona coffee?

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