Will the real Kona coffee please stand up? Not you, Kona Blend
I was recently in Denver and was shocked (SHOCKED!) to drive past a 7-11 with a sign that said “Taste Paradise. Kona Coffee Served Here”.
Oh really? Kona coffee? No actually, a Kona Blend. Contrary to common misconception, a Kona blend is not a mix of Kona coffees. Rather it is a blend of 90% or more of Colombian coffee and likely less than 10% Kona. In fact, there is no federal law regarding the proportions, so it could actually just be one (ONE!) Kona bean mixed in to a substandard grade of coffee. So that “Kona coffee” is not really Kona at all. More like Folgers with a fancified name.
Why do I care so much? Well, all those consumers in Denver now associate Kona coffee with some bitter brew they drank at a convenience store. Tell me how this is not horribly bad for my brand?
For the same reason that Louis Vuitton fights the cheap ripoffs sold out of backalleys, we Kona farmers are trying to protect our name. But the battle is not easy. We face conflicts within our own region. The small farmers are butting heads against the blenders, most of whom are based in our own backyards. Here in Hawaii, we have a state law that requires at least 10% Kona in the Kona blend. There’s currently a bill to bump that ratio up to 50%. But it’s being met by strong opposition from the blenders and large coffee middlemen who make millions selling Kona Blend to consumers who don’t understand the difference.
The big guys have blocked several attempts for federal legislation on the blending issue. They have also blocked attempts to trademark the name Kona coffee, which would cut off the use of the name for coffee blends that are clearly not deserving. Their big bucks depend on the substandard ripoff of Kona’s good reputation.
I know I am preaching to the choir here. Thanks for your support. Thanks for seeking out the small farmer and buying 100% Kona coffee. You make a difference. It is more than just a cup of coffee. It is an excellent cup of coffee.
Oh really? Kona coffee? No actually, a Kona Blend. Contrary to common misconception, a Kona blend is not a mix of Kona coffees. Rather it is a blend of 90% or more of Colombian coffee and likely less than 10% Kona. In fact, there is no federal law regarding the proportions, so it could actually just be one (ONE!) Kona bean mixed in to a substandard grade of coffee. So that “Kona coffee” is not really Kona at all. More like Folgers with a fancified name.
Why do I care so much? Well, all those consumers in Denver now associate Kona coffee with some bitter brew they drank at a convenience store. Tell me how this is not horribly bad for my brand?
For the same reason that Louis Vuitton fights the cheap ripoffs sold out of backalleys, we Kona farmers are trying to protect our name. But the battle is not easy. We face conflicts within our own region. The small farmers are butting heads against the blenders, most of whom are based in our own backyards. Here in Hawaii, we have a state law that requires at least 10% Kona in the Kona blend. There’s currently a bill to bump that ratio up to 50%. But it’s being met by strong opposition from the blenders and large coffee middlemen who make millions selling Kona Blend to consumers who don’t understand the difference.
The big guys have blocked several attempts for federal legislation on the blending issue. They have also blocked attempts to trademark the name Kona coffee, which would cut off the use of the name for coffee blends that are clearly not deserving. Their big bucks depend on the substandard ripoff of Kona’s good reputation.
I know I am preaching to the choir here. Thanks for your support. Thanks for seeking out the small farmer and buying 100% Kona coffee. You make a difference. It is more than just a cup of coffee. It is an excellent cup of coffee.
2 Comments:
Kona coffee is delightful. And so much nicer when you get it straight from the source. I have a dear email friend I have known over 7 years who sends me a bag from time to time. Absolutely wonderful. And the fact someone put the time in to send me some even more delightful.
Do you sell online?
Aloha!
What a good friend!
Yes, we do sell online. Right below my picture on the top right of the page, I have a link for my farm, which is Lions Gate.
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