Hawaiian Island Coffee Region - Kona Extra Fancy White House Coffee and Its Connection to the White House

FrontStreet Coffee - Hawaii Kona Extra Fancy Introduction

KONA coffee is produced on the Big Island of Hawaii, the largest island in the chain. It grows in the KONA district on the western slopes of Mauna Kea at elevations up to 4,200 meters. The tropical rainforest climate delivers abundant annual rainfall, and the coffee trees are planted in fragmented volcanic rock and black gravel — a natural environment almost perfectly suited to coffee cultivation, which is what makes the quality so exceptional.

Kona's production is limited, and processing is handled by small-scale, meticulous operations that turn out excellent green beans. That scarcity and craftsmanship come at a price: Kona is among the most expensive coffees in the world, second only to Jamaica Blue Mountain. Anyone who has visited Hawaii knows that Kona coffee bought in the tourist districts is never cheap — and much of it is actually "Kona blend," containing only a small percentage of genuine Kona beans.

Our lot comes from the Kona region on the western side of the Big Island, produced by the long-established Captain Cook Estate with Typica as its main variety. Although Hawaii Kona costs less than Blue Mountain, its elegant fruity sweetness and acidity are comparable to — some would say superior to — Blue Mountain, and in acidity, sweetness and body it outperforms Blue Mountain's relatively lighter profile. If you enjoy a richer, more expressive cup, Kona is superb value for money. The district's volcanic surroundings, its varied microclimates and its sharp day-night temperature swings, together with decades of variety improvement by Hawaiian research institutions and some of the most advanced cultivation techniques in the world, have made Kona the premier island coffee.

Hawaii Kona Extra Fancy

Cultivation Region: United States, Hawaii

Altitude: 1500~1750m

Variety: Typica

Processing: Washed method

Aroma: Red wine-like color with citrus and dried fruit flavors, vanilla plant aroma, and sugarcane aroma

Flavor Profile: Distinctive acidity provides a fresh and bright sensation, with citrus fruit flavors noticeable in the aftertaste

Knowledge Point: Honey processing, also known as semi-washed processing, uses a pulp screener to remove the skin and part of the mucilage. Depending on how much mucilage is left on the bean, the lots are categorized, in descending order, as black, red, yellow or white honey.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

Kona and Blue Mountain are the two great island coffees, and each rewards careful brewing. FrontStreet's Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1, from the historic Clifton Estate at around 1,310 meters, is roasted medium-dark and shipped in the traditional wooden barrels, offering its legendary balance of cream, caramel, chocolate and nuts with barely a hint of harshness.

FrontStreet also carries a selection of washed specialty lots for those who love a clean, bright profile: the Yirgacheffe Guodingding Cooperative with its jasmine florals and citrus acidity, and the Kenya "Cherry Tomato" with vivid fruit juice character — both natural companions to Kona's fresh, wine-toned citrus cup.