| Kona coffee is a marketing name for coffee that | | | | beans. The flesh is transported back to the farms to |
| comes from the Kona District of Hawaii. Pure Kona | | | | be used as fertilizer. The stripped beans will next |
| coffee is highly sought after all round the world. It | | | | undergo a fermentation process of around 8 to 18 |
| has a richer flavor than others due to the location | | | | hours in giant tanks. After completing the |
| and environment they are cultivated. The land of | | | | fermentation process, the beans are cleaned and |
| Hawaii is rich with volcanic soil and is perfect for | | | | dried on drying racks covered by hoshidanas. |
| coffee growing. The afternoon clouds also provide a | | | | Depending on the weather, it might take about 10 to |
| good cover for it to grow. These factors give Kona | | | | 14 days before the Kona coffee beans are ready for |
| coffee its character, loved by many around the | | | | the next process. It is essential to constantly rake |
| world. A Peek At History The first coffee plant was | | | | the beans during the drying phase. This is to prevent |
| introduced to Kealakekua-Kona by Reverend Samuel | | | | mildew from forming and maintain consistent quality |
| Ruggles in 1828. It was not considered a viable | | | | throughout the batch. The beans are then graded |
| agricultural commodity at that time until very much | | | | according to size, shape and weight. Controversial |
| later. During the California gold rush era, demand for | | | | Kona There is a high demand for Kona coffee due to |
| coffee from this region starts to pick up and farmers | | | | its unique taste and quality. Many large corporations |
| start planting their crops along the slopes of Mauna | | | | and individuals have tarnished the name by selling |
| Loa and Mount Hualalai. Many of the large estates | | | | coffee that is not truly Kona. These blends are |
| were leased to their Japanese workers during the | | | | normally made up of only 10% Kona coffee and the |
| world coffee market crash in 1899. There are now | | | | remaining 90% from cheaper imports from Colombia |
| about 600 plantations all around the district and each | | | | or Brazil. It hurts the industry in Kona and gives a |
| of them having a size of not more than 5 acres. | | | | false impression to the consumers about the quality |
| Coffee Farming & Process The coffee plants in Kona | | | | of pure Kona coffee. The farmers have been fighting |
| will start to bloom from February to March. Green | | | | a loosing battle to trademark the name. Even though |
| berries will soon start to appear after the flowers | | | | there are labeling laws in Hawaii, there is no |
| have been pollinated. Majority of the berries will be | | | | corresponding Federal law to support it. Conclusion |
| harvested from August to December or early | | | | There is no denying in the quality of Kona coffee. |
| January. It is estimated that each tree can produce | | | | Great care is taken to ensure quality from the many |
| around 20 to 30 pounds of berries. During peak | | | | who toil in the farms and mills to deliver you that |
| harvesting period, most mills work round the clock. All | | | | perfect cup of beverage possible. They are all |
| the berries will be processed within 24 hour time | | | | committed to deliver you the true taste of Kona - |
| frame to maintain quality. The berries will be tested | | | | Gold of Hawaii. |
| for freshness and color before being sent to the | | | | More information on Coffee, visit Green Coffee and |
| pulper. The pulper will strip the flesh leaving the | | | | Espresso Coffee. |