Kona coffee is one of the most sought-after varieties of specialty coffee, and it’s understandable why. With its unique flavor and aroma profile, it’s no surprise that connoisseurs all over the world love this 100% Hawaiian favorite. But did you know that there are distinct advantages to buying Kona beans directly from the grower? Let’s take a look at why shopping straight from the source can be so beneficial.
Growers that sell their beans direct to consumer deliver optimal freshness.
You Get Fresher Beans
When you buy your roasted coffee beans directly from the grower, you get them as fresh as possible which is incredibly important when it comes to enjoying a high-priced specialty coffee. Within days of roasting, coffee begins to off-gas and lose freshness. When you buy from a retailer, there’s no telling how long those beans have been sitting on a shelf or in transit before they reached you. With direct-trade coffee, however, coffee is shipped directly to your doorstep as close as possible to the roast date.
Many small Kona coffee producers roast in micro-batches, so they are not storing large quantities of roasted beans. As soon as orders come in, the beans are bagged up and shipped out fresh.
Ideally, buy whole bean Kona coffee. Why? It keeps its freshness longer than ground coffee, which begins to get stale as soon as it is exposed to air. The small investment of a good Burr mill grinder (Cuisinart sells one for about $50) is well worth the price since it enables you to grind your coffee fresh and store the whole beans in an airtight container until the following day.
Kona coffee growers Steve and Joanie Wynn nurture their coffee from crop to cup.
You Know Where Your Kona Coffee Comes From
When you shop directly from the Kona coffee grower, you have an opportunity to learn more about where your specialty coffee comes from and how it was grown and processed. This knowledge can make your cup taste even better—as knowing more about your coffee gives you insight and an appreciation for the labor-intensive process. You can learn about the unique terroir of the farm and what flavors to expect in each sip.
At Kona Earth, we only sell coffee grown on our farm. This single-estate, artisanal approach gives us control over the entire production, from growing the fruit, to processing and roasting the beans.
Kona coffee family: Steve, Ryan and Joanie Wynn
You Support Family Farms
Family farms are the lifeblood of Kona coffee. They represent a majority of the growers who supply larger, Kona coffee producers and roasters. By sourcing your Kona coffee direct from the grower, you are supporting their small family farms and the community of workers and vendors who support their efforts. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Buying direct from the local grower wasn't always possible in Hawaii. But with new e-commerce options like Shopify, even small family farms can now offer their products direct to consumer. This benefits both the consumer and the farmer, getting a high-quality product to coffee lovers while preserving profits for the grower.
Shopping straight from source pays off when it comes to high-quality, specialty coffees like 100% Kona coffee. Beyond getting great tasting beans, buying direct means a fresher product and knowledge of where,how and by whom your specialty coffee is grown. For an unparalleled experience in quality and taste - try buying your Kona coffee straight from the grower.