Kona Coffee Wars

Kona Coffee Wars was Originally Posted on May 4, 2010 by lavarock

A local TV station has produced a very niec news story about the blending issue. A link is here: http://www.kitv.com/money/23457466/detail.html

The Hawaii Coffee Company rep says “he” pushed the labeling change through a few years ago that makes the blends say “10%” in larger font. In reality, his company and 3 others, pushed the 10% ability through the legislature when most wanted over 50% in the bag to have “Kona” listed on the bag. These same companies have blocked every move to let the farmers trademark the name “Kona Coffee” for roasted coffee. They know that the farmers would immediately stop the blend labeling.

On a recent swing by Target, I found this company selling 44 rows of their 10% blend to 4 rows of 100%. The rep was showing the Indonesian beans he was blending to make the Kona blend. Although we think Indonesia is only 1 of the foreign countries he is using, think about it. His 10% Kona Coffee has “Kona” prominent on the label, yet 90% of the product comes from Indonesia. It is no wonder the farmers like myself complain.

Let the companies blend, but don’t call the stuff “Kona” unless there is more that 50% in the bag. With that 90% “other” coffee in the bag, people will never taste any of what they think they are buying.

By the way, a good video about the issue is up on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8-lKZb64l4