To be labeled “Hawaiian Coffee,” the beans must be grown on one of the Hawaiian Islands—specifically on Hawaii, Maui, or Kauai. While all Kona coffee is Hawaiian coffee, not all Hawaiian coffee is Kona, as Kona refers specifically to beans grown in the Kona region on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Types of Kona Coffee Beans:
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Peaberry: Peaberry beans are small, round beans that result from only one coffee bean developing inside the cherry. This leads to a more concentrated flavor, producing a robust, rich cup of coffee. Peaberry beans make up only 3% to 5% of the total Kona coffee crop.
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Extra Fancy: These are the largest Kona beans, known for their fuller flavor. They are so large that they won't pass through a 19/64″ round grading screen.
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Fancy: Slightly smaller than Extra Fancy, these beans still have a rich taste but are slightly less robust. They won’t pass through an 18/64″ round grading screen.
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Prime: The smallest beans that still meet the Kona coffee standard. While smaller, they still retain the distinct Kona flavor.
According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), there are two grades that cannot be labeled as Kona Coffee due to size and defect criteria: Hawaii No. 3 or X-3 and Off-Grade beans. These lower grades fall outside the quality standards for true Kona Coffee.
