PureKonaCoffee

Because of how rare true Kona coffee is as well as high priced, many retailers sell what they call "Kona Blends". Although the many Kona Blends would lead buyers to believe it's a blend of many different Kona coffees, they are actually only a small amount of Kona coffee mixed with blends of other foreign coffees, Brazilian and Columbian coffees. Although no Federal law exists regarding correct labeling, Hawaiian law requires that the label on the Kona coffee state the percentage of Kona that's in the coffee. According to this law, only coffee that's 100% Kona can be considered as authentic Kona coffee.

The United States requires certification for their coffee and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture uses a grading system for their Kona coffee, which is based on certain factors which include the coffee bean's shape, size, moisture content as well as the number of defects that can be found in the bean itself. Generally, two Kona beans will grow inside a coffee cherry, except for Peaberry Kona Coffee, which is one bean per cherry. Following is a list of the different types of Kona Coffee, based on these factors.

• Extra Fancy – These coffee beans have the fewest defects (only 10 per pound), have a full flavor and comprise the largest variety of Kona coffee beans. They have a moisture content of only 9% to 12% and only account for about 20% of the Kona beans produced. Extra Fancy can be found in Private Reserve and Signature Roast coffees. These beans will not pass through a 19/64" hole.
• Fancy – These are large coffee beans with 9% to 12% moisture and 16 or less defects per pound. Found in Private Reserve Coffee, this fancy Kona has a smooth consistency with a medium body flavor. The beans will not go through an 18/64" hole.
• Number 1 Kona – These coffee beans with the nutty flavor are a mild and medium-sized bean. Their 9% to 12% moisture content and 20 or less defects per pound make it perfect for every-day drinking and can be found in Estate Kona Coffee. There 50 or less other beans per pound of Number 1 coffee.
• Peaberry Kona Coffee is a bean shaped like a pea with only one bean per coffee cherry. Peaberry beans are very small but give you a very robust and flavorful coffee. There are less than 20 defects per pound and 50 other beans per pound. To the coffee expert, Peaberry is considered the Royalty of coffees.
• Prime – This term may be used on the Kona Prime or the Peaberry Prime and describes beans with 25% defects per pound. They are a small coffee bean and are great for "estate" coffee.

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