Frequently Asked Questions
Email us with any questions you might have at info@konacoffee.nyc!
Questions about Online Ordering
How long does online shipping take?
There’s two options for shipping that you can choose. We offer first class shipping, which takes about 5 business days, or priority mail, which takes 1-3 business days. Please note that there may be delays given holidays or supply restocks.
Can I gift a monthly subscription or coffee beans to a friend?
Yes! You can just purchase it on the website, and address it to their name (including shipping). Let us know if there’s a personalized note you’d like to include :)
Where can I find information on the coffee beans, before I purchase?
In our Shop page, click on each coffee type to read more about its origin and flavors.
Can I purchase beans in store?
Yes! All of the beans on our website can also be purchased at our store in East Village :) It’s a great way to save shipping costs and get your beans asap!
Questions about Our Coffee Offerings
What kind of Kona coffee do you sell?
Here at Kona Coffee Roasters, we sell three different types of Kona beans:
Peaberry: Categorized separately from the existing five grades of Kona coffee, Peaberry Kona coffee beans undergo a rare divergence during the growing process. While normal coffee cherries produce two coffee beans (or seeds) per fruit and are generally half-sphere shaped, Peaberry coffee beans fuse together during the growing process, and produce a singular round coffee bean instead. These special beans generally constitute approximately 3% - 5% of the total harvest.
Estate: Graded as Kona Number 1, “Estate” refers to the coffee being grown and processed on a single-estate. This means all of the coffee is grown, harvested, and processed by one farm. While this is the 3rd highest grade of Kona coffee, the main difference between Number 1 grade and Fancy grade is the size of the bean. However, the flavor and distinctive profile is not lost, as ultimately which coffee you prefer is up for you to decide! Here at Kona, we think proudly serve Estate coffee and as a way to make Kona coffee’s luxurious flavors more accessible for everyone. By diligently roasting and brewing the beans to perfection, we hope to bring out the best flavors in each cup we serve.
Kona Blend: Our Kona blend is our signature house blend that consists of 10% Estate Kona coffee, 45% Ethiopian, and 45% Colombian beans.
What is your most popular coffee?
Our customers typically purchase the 100% Kona Coffee Peaberry. This single origin coffee has exquisite flavors, with dried apricots, licorice, and a hint of bergamot. You can try the Peaberry in store, which we brew using a pour-over technique to draw out all the flavors .
Where do you get your beans from?
We source our beans through a process of direct trade with a small farm that grows and processes Kona coffee in the Big Island of Hawaii. We are also working with a few other small farms to support the farmers in Hawaii, and will be announcing more Hawaiian coffees soon.
What is your roasting process?
When we get our green beans from Kona, we inspect it for any defects first. It is then roasted on-location in our cafe in East Village, New York City. This guarantees that we’re serving our customers the freshest coffee possible!
Other Questions
What is Kona coffee and why is it special?
Kona Coffee is coffee that is grown and cultivated on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa in the North and South Kona Districts of the Big Island of Hawaii. Only coffee from the Kona Districts can be labeled and described as "Kona."
100% Kona Coffee is one of the most renowned and beloved coffees in the world for its exquisite floral and caramel aromas and flavors of citrus and nuts. Grown on the Kona coffee belt near the west side of the Big Island, Hawaii’s sunny mornings, varied microclimate, mild temperatures, and unique volcanic soil make the area an ideal climate for growing coffee.
Why is it Kona coffee so expensive?
Kona coffee is one of the more expensive coffees in the world mainly because the incredibly limited land on which it is produced. Kona coffee is grown exclusively on the Kona coffee belt on the Big Island of Hawaii, which is a lush growing area that is only 30 miles long and 1 mile wide. This means the yearly harvest of Kona coffee is scarce. Furthermore, each harvest is hand-picked, selected, and graded for quality to achieve the most exquisite taste in every cup.
Furthermore, coffee has been undervalued for so long, and as a result, producers have earned unsustainable wages. Fortunately, trends have been changing and many coffee lovers want a higher quality experience they can feel good about. Outside of Kona, commercial coffee farmers earn as low as 5% ($1.60/lb) of the price you pay for cheap coffee, and an average of 15% for fancier specialty coffee brands ($3.00/lb). In Hawaii, our coffee producers earn 40-60%. In many ways, this is the goal that Fair Trade certifications have been trying to achieve.
So what’s behind the price of many Hawaiian coffees? Living wages, U.S. infrastructure, environmental protections and premiums that are determined by quality and relationships, instead of commodity traders on the NYSE.
I don’t have a grinder. What should I do?
While grinders are essential to brewing a delicious cup of coffee at home, we know that not everyone has one. If you’re not interested in purchasing a new grinder just yet, we are happy to grind your coffee for you before we ship it out!
However, it should be noted that ground coffee loses freshness much faster than whole beans, so we’ll always recommend grinding your coffee fresh if possible.
Any other questions? Contact info@konacoffee.nyc and we’ll respond to you as soon as possible :)