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Kona coffee informationKona coffee is a name that can only be given to Coffee grown on the island of Hawaii in the kona region.Only coffee plants grown in the Kona area are entitled to use the name. Kona coffee plants,growers and traders are famous the world over.The quality of the Kona coffee beans has meant that kona coffee plays huge role in Hawaiian coffee history but in the overall economy of those beautiful isles.
The Kona region is a volcanic, lava rocked area on the western seaboard of the island of Hawaii. Coffee beans grown elsewhere on the island cannot be called Kona. It is believed that Coffee was first brought to Kona by Samuel Reverend Ruggles from Brazil. There are approximately 600 kona Coffee farmers with each kona coffee farm ranging from about 3 to 7 acres in size. It's a combination of several factors that make Kona coffee a premium coffee. The ideal Coffee growing climate of bright sunny mornings, warm, damp afternoons mild, frost free nights the rich volcanic soil of the kona region the fact that the coffee beans are wet method processed and then sun dried and last but certainly not least, the fact that kona Coffee is hand cultivated. Since the fruit of the coffee plants, known as cherries do not ripen at the same time hand cultivation ensures that only cherries at optimum maturity are picked. The combination of all these factors gives the world that great joy that is Kona Coffee. What is wet method processed and sun dried? The cherries of the Kona coffee plant are pulped in order to remove the outer skin. They are then very carefully fermented and thoroughly washed in water. The majority of the coffee beans are then placed on large decks known as Hoshidanas where they will be naturally dried by the sun. They are raked over to ensure even drying. The beans are then graded according to Department of Agriculture specifications. The parchment and silverskin of these dried beans are then removed by machine milling with the resulting green beans sorted and graded. They are then sold to roasters,processors or custom roasted by individual farmers. What is kona peaberry coffee and other information on Kona Coffee. Peaberry This is when coffee cherries produce only one round seed instead, known as Type II. This is a highly valued bean that produces a very intense coffee sensation. Kona Snow This is the name given to the white sweet-smelling blossoms that cover the trees at different intervals from January right through May. Cherry This is the fruit of the coffee tree, begins as green berries, turning through yellow to orange and picked when deep red. Bean The two flat seeds formed within the normal cherry , known as Type I. Pulping This process separates the beans from the outer red skin. Processing (wet-method) The coffee beans are fermented for between 12-24 hours,and then washed in water. Drying The washed beans are laid out on decks and sun-dried to a moisture level between 10-13%. Occasionaly mechanical drying is used but most Kona beans are sun-dried. Parchment This is the term given to the stiff white skin of the dried seeds. Milling The term given to the removal of stiff parchment skin and the thin silverskin underneath it. Green This is when the Coffee beans have been milled and are ready for roasting. Roast This is the cooking of the green coffee beans to the desired taste. It is estimated that there are 100 kona coffee private labels. Kona coffee Forbes said is "the best coffee in America". Some of the best known kona coffee companies are Holualoa Kona Coffee Company ----- a company specialising in organic kona coffee Kona Blue Sky Company another specialty coffee producer that also sell Kona coffee gift baskets and facilitate tours on their kona coffee plantation where visitors can grab themselves a piece of kona coffee living history.
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