Kona

[Perry72]

What can you guys tell me about Kona beans? I get this stuff at my grocery store called "Kona Blend" and I love it. Just curious what everyone else thinks of them.

[rx2010]

Well, there's Kona, and then there's Kona blend

I've only had the blend, which is usually about 12-15% or so Kona. I think it's good, but pure Kona is supposed to be much better, and a lot more expensive

I have a 1/2lb bags of whole bean kona, one light one dark in the fridge right now. A friend of mine went to Hawaii and got them for me, but I haven't tried either yet. But now that the cooler weather is upon us I will probably grind and brew some this week.

I'll let you know how they are, I'm optimistic

that is about the extent of my knowledge on the subject, but they're grown in Hawaii (in Kona) and fairly sought after

The pure stuff is around $35/lb

[Perry72]

Cool, thanks....

[rx2010]

no problem, hope that helps at all

[LasciviousXXX]

My wife's sister lives in Hawaii and sends us 100% Kona beans from time to time. My I'm just not that fascinated by it. Before I really started drinking coffee on a regular basis yes it was great.

However, once I learned a little bit more about coffee and experienced a wider variety of what high quality beans can be, Kona holds little excitement for me. It has a decent flavor but is too light for my tastes and just generally doesn't wow me.

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

Before I really started drinking coffee on a regular basis yes it was great.

However, once I learned a little bit more about coffee and experienced a wider variety of what high quality beans can be, Kona holds little excitement for me. It has a decent flavor but is too light for my tastes and just generally doesn't wow me.

I'll second this. My local coffee shop sells 100% Kona somewhere aorund $40/lb (everything else averages $10/lb). I tried it once, just for kicks. It's got a good flavor, but somewhat subtle, and is extremely smooth and easy to drink. It's the kind of coffee a 'cream and sugar' person could drink black.

If you want a smooth, soft, easy to drink coffee that costs a fortune, give it a try. If you want a strong, bold cup of coffee, look elsewhere.

On a sidenote, the Guatemalan beans the local shop sells strike me as fairly similar to the Kona, at 1/4 the price. Give that a try if you can find it.

[Tripp]

Though Kona is expensive, it is worth it. But it CAN be had for much more reasonable prices than these. I get mine at Trader Joe's, for $20/lb. It is delicious. At TJ Maxx once I found pre-ground pure Kona for 6.99 per half. I've had the Kona blends as well, and they are usually pretty good. They have the Kona flavor, but the flavor is much more complex in the pure stuff.

[scoutmaster022]

I very much enjoy kona and drink it when I can. I drink the blend more because i am cheap

[Perry72]

Originally Posted by scoutmaster022

I very much enjoy kona and drink it when I can. I drink the blend more because i am cheap

The blend is the best thing going at my grocery store.

[whodat1]

Kona is good coffee, but not $15/lb good (or $30/lb roasted). It's also a coffee name that is slapped on coffee's that are not really Kona. Much like Jamacian Blue Mountain, the name itself is traded on & abused. I buy it every once in a while, but I make sure to get it from a reputable dealer.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by whodat1

Kona is good coffee, but ...

I buy it every once in a while, but I make sure to get it from a reputable dealer.

A Kona blend is the soft-drink equivalent of watered down root beer; and brewing coffee from improperly roasted Kona is like searching for REAL lemonade taste using Countrytime powder and bad well water.

Calling a bean Kona doesn't make it good. Altitude is one of many keys. Tom and Cea will never let you down on 100% Kona quality - brewing it right is up to you!

http://www.smithfarms.com/index.htm

[JohnnyFlake]

My wife and I love Kona Coffee! That's pure Kona, not any of the blends. The blends are a total rip-off! Kona Beans are not cheap but they make a truly wonderful coffee. We drink it several times a week, especially on Sundays and in the evenings, during the week.

Trader Joe's has 13oz tins that are usually very fresh at $20 a tin, which is where I usually buy it. However, when I am ordering some of our other favorites, I'll buy it from the Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co., at $28 a pound. They roast it fresh, for you, when you place an order. Their S&H is very reasonable, especially if you order several pounds of coffee.

http://www.baltcoffee.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/1_4

[avo_addict]

I also love 100% Kona Coffee, especially the Peaberry. They are expensive, but well worth it, if you want to drink a great cup of coffee.

[Perry72]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

A Kona blend is the soft-drink equivalent of watered down root beer; and brewing coffee from improperly roasted Kona is like searching for REAL lemonade taste using Countrytime powder and bad well water.

Calling a bean Kona doesn't make it good. Altitude is one of many keys. Tom and Cea will never let you down on 100% Kona quality - brewing it right is up to you!

http://www.smithfarms.com/index.htm

Well, I guess I need to get some "real kona" and try it.

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by JohnnyFlake

I'll buy it from the Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co., at $28 a pound. They roast it fresh, for you, when you place an order. Their S&H is very reasonable, especially if you order several pounds of coffee.

http://www.baltcoffee.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/1_4

I've been to their shop, and 90% of the local coffee houses use their beans. They're the most prevalent roaster in the Baltimore area, but not the best. Little off topic, but give this place a try: http://www.caffepronto.com/store/ I like them a bit better (though no Kona on the list right now). I've never ordered from the internet so those are the only two roasters I know, I'm sure there are plenty others.