Category: Brewing

Posted on by

Exploring Different Brewing Methods for Kona Coffee

Brewing a perfect cup of Kona coffee is an art form, with each brewing method offering a unique way to extract the rich flavors and aromas of these prized Hawaiian beans. Whether you prefer the smooth richness of a French press or the bright acidity of a pour-over, there’s a brewing method to suit every taste preference and brewing style. In this post, we’ll explore some of the most popular brewing methods for Kona coffee, from classic drip brewing to innovative espresso techniques, helping you unlock the full potential of your favorite beans.

Drip Brewing (Automatic Coffee Maker)

Drip brewing is one of the most common methods for brewing coffee, offering convenience and consistency with the push of a button. To brew Kona coffee using an automatic coffee maker, simply add freshly ground coffee to the filter basket, fill the water reservoir with cold, filtered water, and start the brewing cycle. The resulting brew is smooth, balanced, and perfect for enjoying Kona coffee’s nuanced flavor profile.

French Press

The French press is beloved for its simplicity and full-bodied flavor, allowing the natural oils and flavors of the coffee to shine through. To brew Kona coffee using a French press, coarsely grind your coffee beans and add them to the press, then pour hot water over the grounds and let steep for 4-5 minutes. Slowly press down the plunger to separate the grounds from the coffee, and enjoy the rich, aromatic brew.

Pour-Over (Chemex or Hario V60)

Pour-over brewing offers precise control over the brewing process, allowing you to highlight the unique characteristics of Kona coffee with precision. For a pour-over brew, place a paper filter in the pour-over cone (such as a Chemex or Hario V60), add freshly ground coffee, and pour hot water over the grounds in a slow, steady stream. The result is a clean, crisp cup of coffee with bright acidity and complex flavors.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is a versatile brewing device that produces a smooth, rich cup of coffee with minimal effort. To brew Kona coffee with an AeroPress, place a paper filter in the AeroPress cap, add finely ground coffee and hot water, and stir gently. After a brief steeping period, press the plunger down slowly to extract the coffee into your cup. The result is a concentrated, full-flavored brew that can be enjoyed as is or diluted with hot water for a milder taste.

Espresso

Espresso brewing offers intense flavor and boldness, making it a popular choice for coffee enthusiasts seeking a concentrated caffeine kick. To brew espresso with Kona coffee, use a high-quality espresso machine and finely ground coffee beans. Pack the coffee grounds into the portafilter, lock it into the machine, and extract the espresso under high pressure. The result is a rich, flavorful shot of coffee with a velvety crema layer on top.

With so many brewing methods to choose from, exploring the world of Kona coffee is a delightful journey of discovery and experimentation. Whether you prefer the convenience of drip brewing, the full-bodied flavor of a French press, or the precision of pour-over, there’s a brewing method to suit every palate and preference. So dust off your brewing equipment, stock up on your favorite Kona coffee beans, and embark on a flavorful adventure that celebrates the rich diversity of Hawaiian coffee culture, one cup at a time.

Posted on by

Brewing Coffee Guide – how to get the most flavor!

Brewing Coffee in a French Press

Step by step instructions on grinding, brewing and making the perfect cup of Kona Coffee, every time!

Kona coffee is a rare, expensive treat that stimulates all the senses. So why do anything less than put some effort into brewing? As you’ll see, it doesn’t take that much more time.

Choose your favorite Kona bean

We stock all bean varieties, to fulfill your need for quality coffee. Choose from:

The Grind

Grinding beans is a treat all its own, with its rich, spicy aroma. Also a secret to good coffee often starts with its grind. It’s important to know what of grind works best for the flavor you’re chasing — whether its coarse, medium or fine.

Coarse Grind French Press, Toddy Makers (cold brew method), Vacuum Coffee Maker, and Percolaters
Medium/Fine Grind Auto Drip Makers (with flat bottom filters). Drip Makers (with cone-shaped filters)
Fine Grind Stove Top Espresso Pots
Super Fine Grind Espresso Machines

Amount of coffee:

Generally, a good rule to follow is to use 2 tablespoons of coffee beans for every 6 to 8 ounces of water.  Adjust for taste.

Using a blade grinder:

Load your fresh beans in the top of the grinder. Once the grinder is loaded, use the grinder in short bursts  a few seconds each so the coffee doesn’t overheat. Also shake the grinder as it’s grinding to get an even grind size.

Using a Burr Grinder:

Burr grinders offer coffee drinkers greater precision and consistent grind size. It’s a more expensive alternative to other grinding methods, so some time needs to be spent figuring out what burr grind works best for you.

The water: 

We recommend using filtered water for brewing. The better the water, the better the end result. Public water systems tend to add undesirable flavors.

Brew your Kona coffee

It’s not enough to bring your water to a boil. You want that water the right temperature  — between 195 and 205 fahrenheit. Just below boiling. Any hotter, and you’ll run the risk of burning the grinds when you add the water.

Kona Coffee in a french press
Kona Coffee steeping in a french press with nice crema.

We recommend using a French press. Add 1 rounded tablespoon of ground coffee for each 4 ounces of water to the French press. Stir the coffee, allowing the  grounds to interact with the hot water.  Wait 3 to 5 minutes for the coffee to steep, then plunge slowly. Complete instructions for getting the most from your French press here.

Drip coffee maker and pour over:

If you’re using a drip coffee maker or using the pour over technique, we recommend using a natural paper filter.  Cloth filters can add undesirable tastes to your cup of Kona. For drip or pour over brewing use the approximately the same amount of coffee described above.

Enjoy!

Posted on by

Kona K Cups – All about the Best in Kona K cups!

Kona K Cups

Single server k cup maker
Single server k cup maker

The prevalence of single-serve coffee makers has been rapidly growing for the past couple of years. It’s easy to see why: convenience – you pop in one of your k cups and out comes your coffee. But what about Kona coffee lovers? 100% Pure Kona Coffee in your Kona k cup is a bit harder to find. It can be confusing with all those coffee pods, k cups and capsules. This guide is designed to help everyone enjoy the smooth taste of Kona Coffee.  Whether from their single serve coffee maker of choice, a pour over or a french press.
Continue reading Kona K Cups – All about the Best in Kona K cups!

Posted on by

Grading Kona Beans – What do the bean sizes mean

Artisan Roasted Coffee

Grading by bean size and amount of defects.

The dry mill grades the green coffee beans according to size and number of defects in a given batch.

Grading the Beans – Size differences

Fancy or Kona #1 beans make up about 75 percent of the harvest. These are the beans most coffee drinkers are grinding when they’re making their cup.

Extra Fancy beans  make up about 20 percent of a farm’s crop. They are heavier and larger. They are the biggest in size and will have the least amount of defects.

Peaberry  is the rarest of the beans, typically accounting for 3-5% of the total crop. They are genetic anomalies. Normally, two coffee beans are in a berry. However, in the case of peaberry, there’s just one bean. Regular coffee beans are also flat on one side and round on the other, but peaberries look like almost like little footballs. They have a lower acidity and because of their shape, they roast differently and have a slightly different taste. Connoisseurs say they are the smoothest of all and have more of a chocolaty flavor than the other Kona beans .

Estate:

Also, you might hear the term Estate Grown. Estate means all the beans are all from the same farm. Estate is usually not graded so it may contain a mix of all grades of Kona.

No matter what kind of bean you choose to drink, make it 100 Percent Pure Kona Coffee. Its balanced flavor, low acidity and world renowned quality is unparalleled.

Posted on by

The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

Kona Coffee Festival

The award-winning Kona Coffee Cultural Festival

November 3, 2017 through November 12, 2017

Kona Coffee Festival The Kona Coffee Festival recognizes the achievements of Kona’s coffee pioneers, farmers and artisans. This award-winning coffee fest is recognized as the oldest and most successful food festival in Hawaii. The festival starts Friday, November 3 and runs through Sunday, November 12, 2017. The festival includes 10 days of events honoring Kona coffees cultural heritage.

Festival Events include:

  • A Lantern Parade.  Historic Kailua Village. Nov 3, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Watch as the lantern parade winds its way through Historic Kailua Village with its glowing procession of light, music and color. And finally culminating with an evening bon dance at Hale Halawai.

  • The Holualoa Village Coffee & Art Stroll.  In historic Holualoa Village. Nov 4 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Stroll through the art district of quaint Holualoa Village. While strolling visit galleries exhibiting an extensive collection of local artists. Also over 30 Kona coffee farms join the festivities offering tastings and products for purchase.

  • The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 4 – 5:30 pm. The Miss Kona Coffee Scholarship Pageant is hosted by the Kona Coffee Fest each November. A big mahalo to the scholarship sponsor – Ueshima Coffee Company, Ltd. 

    The newly crowned winner will also travel to Japan to promote Kona, it’s special coffee and the industry.

  • The Kona Coffee Recipe Contest & Big Island Showcase. Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa – Kaleiopapa Convention Center. Nov 5 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm. Big Island Showcase opens at 10 a.m.  Featuring Hawaii Island products, gifts, and opportunities to buy farmer-direct Kona coffee. Also amateurs, culinary students and professional chefs present their favorite sweet and savory recipes . All featuring 100% Kona Coffee. Keiki (children) showcase sweet or savory snacks. Recipe contest doors open at 11 a.m.
    • You’ll experience:
      • Cooking demonstrations.
      • Judging & award presentations.
      • Public tasting to follow.

More Events:

  • Kona Coffee Cultural Fest Ho’olaule’a. Makaeo County Pavilion. Nov 11 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. A celebration of all things Kona coffee.
    • Ho’olaule’a vents include:
      • Hands-on cultural demonstrations.
      • An ethnic food market.
      • The Festival of Arts & Crafts.
      • Additionally, all-day live entertainment.

Enjoy the beautiful lei contest. Participate in traditional Hawaiian poi making, ikebana and traditional Japanese calligraphy.  Also visit the heritage display. Indeed, all day fun for the entire ohana (family).

  • Kona Coffee Council Farm & Mill Tour.  Leaves from Keauhou Shopping Center.  Nov 7 and 10th – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. You will visit three working coffee farms in Kona. The fee of $75 includes your transportation and a box lunch. Pick up and drop off located in front of Regal Keauhou Stadium 7 Theatres in the Keauhou Shopping Center. Reservations required; book online at www.kona-coffee-council.com.
  • Kona Coffee Living History Farm Tour – November 3-10, 2017. Daily at 2:00 pm. $10 with festival button (available for purchase on site). Stroll through this historic farm on a self-guided tour that reveals the story of Kona’s coffee pioneers during the early 20th century. Walk among the coffee trees and meet a “Kona Nightingale”.  Also discover how farmers used the kuriba and hoshidana to mill and dry Kona’s world-famous coffee.

Festival Calendar of Events and more info at konacoffeefest.com