Why is Kona Coffee So Expensive? Three Reasons - Hawaiian Queen Estate Coffee Bean Cupping Report
Compared to other coffees, Hawaiian coffee is relatively expensive. The primary reason for this is labor costs: coffee picking is an extremely labor-intensive process, and farm workers in Hawaii earn significantly higher wages than farmers in Guatemala or Ethiopia (this serves as a good reminder to purchase fair trade coffee whenever possible).
As explained by a coffee farmer from the Big Island, the cost of obtaining the coffee beans alone is $8 per pound. When you add other agricultural costs such as land use, fertilizer, and maintenance, you easily end up with a cost of approximately $14 per pound. This price doesn't include his labor, marketing, electricity/gas for roasting, bags, website, taxes, farm mortgage, and more. When you factor everything in, the average price for 100% Kona coffee ranges between $45-$60 per pound. This means that if coffee of similar quality were grown in countries with lower wages, you would be able to purchase the beans at a lower price. However, considering the high demand and excellent reputation of Kona coffee, it's safe to say that despite the high price, the quality justifies it!
The Unique Characteristics of Kona Coffee
Of course, besides labor costs, Kona coffee truly possesses its own distinctive style. Kona Coffee is the only coffee commercially grown in the United States. It grows on the slopes of the Hualalai and Mauna Loa volcanoes on the Big Island of Hawaii. Morning sunshine, afternoon rain, perfect altitude, and fertile volcanic soil—these unique natural conditions make Kona coffee a benchmark in the coffee world.
Scarcity and Production Challenges
The production of Kona coffee is relatively low. As the saying goes, scarcity creates value—Kona coffee supply accounts for only about 1% of global coffee. Additionally, during a previous period, coffee berry borers infested many Kona coffee farms, causing many farms to regress.
Kona coffee accounts for approximately 95% of all coffee on the Big Island. The remaining 5% mainly consists of beans grown in the Ka'u, Puna, and Hamakua coastal regions. There are even some coffee industries on other Hawaiian islands. Each of these coffees has its own unique flavor profile. Which coffee you prefer largely depends on personal preference, much like beer and red wine.
FrontStreet Coffee's Hawaiian Selection
FrontStreet Coffee offers a coffee from the Queen's Estate in Hawaii, Kona. They have placed relevant information in the image below for those interested to continue reading!
Important Notice :
前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:
FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou
Tel:020 38364473
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