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Kona coffee is the market name for coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivated
on the slopes of Hualalai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts
of the Big Island of Hawaii. This coffee has developed a reputation that
has made it one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world.
Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be legally described as "Kona".
The unique Kona weather pattern of sunny mornings, cloud cover or rain
in the afternoons, little wind and mild nights combined with porous, mineral
rich volcanic soil, creates favorable coffee growing conditions. Kona blends
Because of the rarity and price of Kona coffee, some retailers sell "Kona
Blends". These are not a combination of different Kona coffees, but a blend
of Kona and Colombian, Brazilian or other foreign coffees. Usually they
contain only the minimum required 10% Kona coffee and 90% cheaper imported
beans. Current Hawaiian law requires blends to state the percentage of
Kona coffee on the label. There is no matching Federal law. Some retailers
use terms like Kona Roast, or Kona Style. To be considered authentic Kona
coffee, the state of Hawaii's labeling laws require the prominent display
of the words "100% Kona Coffee".
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