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Hawaii Coffee Grade Classification - Is Kona Blend Kona Coffee? How to Prevent Kona Coffee Scams

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Here's some expert opinion and grade standards for Kona coffee. Rating and reviewing coffee is a complex and subjective task. For example, coffee beans are constantly changing, and preparation methods have a significant impact on the final product. We use ratings provided by Coffee Review, which categorizes coffees from around the world based on descriptive categories such as aroma, acidity, body, flavor, and aftertaste.

Expert Opinions and Grading Standards for Kona Coffee

Rating and reviewing coffee is a complex and subjective task. For example, coffee beans are constantly changing, and preparation methods have a significant impact on the final product. We use the ratings provided by Coffee Review, which offers a 100-point score for many coffees around the world based on descriptive categories such as aroma, acidity, body, flavor, and aftertaste.

In 2016, Puna coffee from Paradise Roasters received a 96/100 score, making it one of the highest ratings given by the website. The "Top 30 of 2016" list also featured two other coffees from Hawaii, both produced by Hula Daddy Kona Coffee.

Hawaiian Kona Coffee Grade Classification

According to factors affecting quality, harvested beans are classified (from highest to lowest quality) as Type I (highest grade), Type II, and Type III.

Here are the further classifications for each type:

TYPE I: Kona Extra Fancy, Kona Fancy, Kona Number 1, Kona Select, Kona Prime.

TYPE II: Peaberry Number 1, Peaberry Prime.

TYPE III: Also known as Triple X.

Detailed Grade Descriptions

Extra Fancy – These are the finest Kona coffee beans: clean, uniform in color, superior roasting quality, but with no more than 8 full defects per 300 grams. Type I is size 19, while Type II is size 13.

Fancy – Like Extra Fancy, these are clean Kona beans, uniform in color, with good roasting quality, but with a maximum of 12 full defects per 300 grams. Type I is size 18, while Type II is size 12.

Kona Number 1 – Still clean beans, uniform in color, above-average roasting quality, but with up to 18 full defects per 300 grams. Type I is size 16, while Type II is size 10. This is the last of the premium Kona beans.

Hawaii Select – The first major rule for this Kona category is that it "should not have any unpleasant aroma or taste when brewed," and defective coffee beans should not exceed 5% of the total weight. It is the best among medium-grade Kona beans.

Hawaii Prime – It has the same clean aroma and flavor rules as Kona Select coffee beans. This grade allows defective coffee beans up to 20% of the total weight. It's not particularly fancy, but it's also more than just your "premium" grocery store selection.

TYPE III, also known as Triple X – The beans still have clean aroma and flavor rules, but with a slightly higher defect rate. They are not even considered Kona coffee. This is due to the high standards of Hawaii quality standards!

Hawaii Natural Prime – While there are no strict requirements for these beans in terms of color, roasting quality, and size, only a maximum of 20% weight defect is allowed. The limit is to protect the name of Hawaii coffee.

Hawaii Mixed Natural Prime – This is the lowest quality Kona coffee. The same grade as Natural Prime, although this is more of a coffee mixture.

Kona Industry Deception

"Is Kona Blend really Kona?"

Hawaiian coffee has a good reputation. If you want the best in the nation, Kona won't disappoint you. However, remember that simply using the Kona name can make coffee beans easier to sell.

It's easy to claim to be Extra Fancy Kona, but sometimes the only "fancy" thing about fake sellers is their packaging.

This is why some sellers take advantage of claiming 100% Kona when in reality these beans are more suitable for the Kona blend category.

So what is Kona Blend? Well, according to Hawaii law, blended coffee only needs to contain at least 10% Kona coffee!

Therefore, it's best to stay away from Kona blends to avoid low-quality beans and those who add other things to the blend to mask the flavor.

Authentic Kona coffee will have numbered tags affixed to burlap bags before export, indicating certification by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, along with other official seals.

FrontStreet Coffee's Kona coffee beans are certified, and good coffee won't disappoint. The medium-roasted coffee primarily delivers a balanced, smooth nectar sweetness. When brewed, the coffee exudes mulberry fragrance, with a smooth malt-like bitter-sweet aftertaste. When cooled, it becomes a cup of mulberry tea.