When you take that first sip of Kona Heaven Coffee, you’re not just tasting coffee — you’re experiencing a story that began years earlier in the volcanic soil of Hawaiʻi Island.
From seedling to harvest, from roasting to your cup, every step in the journey of 100% Kona coffee is done with care, craftsmanship, and aloha.
Step 1: It All Begins in Kona’s Volcanic Soil
Kona coffee grows on the sunny western slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa, where rich volcanic soil, gentle rain, and afternoon clouds create the perfect growing environment.
This region, known as the Kona Coffee Belt, is small — just a few miles wide — but it produces some of the most sought-after coffee in the world. The porous lava rock allows for perfect drainage, while the tropical climate slows bean growth, creating the rich, smooth flavor that defines Kona coffee.
At Kona Heaven, our farmers nurture each seedling carefully before planting, giving the trees the strongest start possible.
Step 2: Hand-Picking the Perfect Cherries
Harvest season in Kona runs from August through December. Unlike most commercial coffee farms, Kona coffee is picked by hand — not by machines.
Pickers return to the trees several times throughout the season, selecting only the ripest, bright-red cherries. This selective harvesting process takes time and care, but it’s the key to ensuring that only the highest-quality beans make it into your cup.
Step 3: The Art of Processing
Once harvested, the cherries begin their transformation. Most Kona coffee, including ours, uses the wet (washed) process to remove the outer layers of fruit and reveal the bean inside.
- Pulping: The outer cherry skin is removed.
- Fermenting: Beans rest briefly to naturally break down sticky sugars.
- Washing: Clean, fresh water rinses away any remaining fruit.
- Drying: Beans are spread out on raised racks, known locally as hoshidana, to dry slowly in the Kona sun.
When the beans reach the ideal moisture level (around 10–12%), they’re hulled, graded, and prepared for roasting.
Step 4: Roasted with Aloha
Roasting is where green coffee beans become the rich, aromatic Kona Heaven beans you know and love.
Each batch is roasted in small quantities to maintain consistency and freshness. Our roast profiles are carefully tuned to highlight the natural sweetness, floral aroma, and smooth finish that make Kona coffee so distinctive.
Every roast is done with aloha — with respect for the farmers, the land, and the tradition behind every bean.
Step 5: Brewing the Perfect Cup
The final step in the journey is yours. Whether you enjoy your coffee at our oceanfront café in Kailua-Kona or brew it fresh at home, you’re tasting the result of months of dedication and generations of expertise.
Each cup captures the flavor of the island — bright mornings, gentle rain, and the volcanic soil that makes Kona coffee one of a kind.
The Kona Heaven Promise
We believe great coffee starts long before it reaches your cup. That’s why we’re proud to share the full story — from seed to cup — and why we remain committed to:
- 100% Authentic Kona Coffee — never blended or diluted.
- Sustainable Farming Practices that honor our island.
- Fresh, Small-Batch Roasting to preserve flavor and aroma.
- Community Connection — supporting local growers and families.
When you choose Kona Heaven, you’re supporting more than a cup of coffee. You’re supporting Hawaiʻi’s people, land, and legacy.
🌋 Taste the Journey
Visit our café on Aliʻi Drive to experience true farm-to-cup Kona coffee, or shop our fresh-roasted beans online to enjoy a taste of paradise wherever you are.
