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Hawaii is famous for Kona coffee, but there are several other amazing blends out there. Each one has its own unique flavor profile, giving coffee lovers something new to sip on.
If you’re a coffee addict who loves to explore different coffee from various cultures, this article is for you. We’ve reviewed the best Hawaiian coffee brands and their advantages and disadvantages and selected a couple of top brands.
So what are we waiting for? Let’s get started and dive into the history of Hawaiin coffee and the best Hawaii coffee brands you can try yourself.
at a glance: Our Top 5 Hawaii Coffee Brands
Different Types of Hawaiian Coffee
Hawaii actually has several different types of coffee for you to try. Most of these varieties are grown in different parts of the island, which is what gives them their unique flavor.
To fully get a feel for Hawaiian coffee, you’ll need to know a bit about these different blends. Let’s take a look at the different types of Hawaiian coffee and their flavor profiles.
Kona Coffee
Kona Coffee is the most famous type of Hawaiian coffee. It offers an aromatic and delicate taste in every cup. And you will also love its delicious floral notes with hints of the following:
- Brown sugar
- Caramel
- Rich dried fruits
- Milk chocolate
The only catch is that Kona coffee can be expensive. But, many people think it’s worth it!
Ka’u Coffee
Ka’u coffee is another variant that only made history in 1996. This coffee type sources beans from the southern parts of the Big Island. Ka’u coffee also has distinct floral notes, and you will love its silky and smooth texture in every sip.
Most locals love Ka’u coffee because it’s very palatable. It gives you a fantastic burst of flavors you can’t find in other Hawaiian coffee types. And, it’s also cheaper than Kona, so you should not miss out on this.
Hamakua Coffee
Hamakua coffee’s cultivation has been alive for a century, but it only became famous in 2000. Even though this coffee production is smaller than other types, it has a massive appeal to coffee drinkers.
Unlike Kona and Ka’u, Hamakua coffee has a richer taste. You will also find it stronger but with a smoother finish. And you’ll love this if you love chocolate because of its chocolatey aftertaste.
Puna Coffee
Puna coffee resembles the taste of a hot cup of mocha. It contains a chocolatey and nutty flavor, masking the coffee’s overall bitterness. Puna coffee is grown in volcanic soils rich in minerals and is partially cultivated in Hawaii’s National Parks.
Coffee drinkers love Puna Coffe because of its heavy and full-bodied flavors. You can find most Puna coffee brands in farmers’ markets sold at low prices.
Moloka’i Coffee
Moloka’i coffee is grown in Kualapu’u Village, specifically on a 500-acre plantation. If you’re trying this coffee, get the medium-roast for the most decadent taste. Moloka’i coffee is rich in various flavors, including hints of dark chocolate.
The dark chocolate adds bitterness to your cup. The most meticulous part of this coffee roasting process is the cherry selection. This ensures consistency and reliability in every cup.
Kauai Coffee
Kauai coffee is grown and cultivated in Kauai, Hawaii’s largest region in producing coffee. If you ask most coffee drinkers, you can resemble this coffee’s taste to that of Kona. Kauai coffee has a decadent taste with mild acidity.
Quick Overview: Our Top Picks for Hawaii Coffee Brands
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Lion Coffee, 24K Gold Roast |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Hawaiian Kona Coffee |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
 | Farm-fresh: 100% Kona Coffee |
| CHECK CURRENT PRICESee Customer Reviews |
Top 5 Best Hawaii Coffee Brands
Hawaii’s volcanic soil and unique growing climate mean it has some of the best coffee in the world.
If you’re excited to try Hawaiian coffee, here are five of the best brands you should be on the lookout for.
1. Koa Coffee
Pros
- 100% Kona coffee, so it’s strong but delectable
- Beans are hand-selected, so coffee has the highest possible quality
- Naturally processed, so the flavors are more decadent and distinct
- Smooth and light texture, so you’ll enjoy every cup of it
Cons
- It’s a premium gourmet brand, so it’s expensive.
The best overall Hawaiian coffee brand is Koa Coffee. It consists of premium Kona coffee beans, giving you a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness.
Koa Coffee specializes in producing medium roast coffee beans undergoing natural roasting processes. You get unique and more robust coffee flavors thanks to natural processes.
Koa Coffee sources beans from Mauna Loa Volcano, all of which are only premium quality.
Koa Coffee’s radiant flavor makes your cup’s texture light and smooth. And you can really taste sophistication, especially when you try the Kona Natural Medium Roast variant.
Check out the product here.
2. Volcanica Coffee Company
Pros
- It gives you complex coffee flavors, so you’re in for a good treat
- Smooth texture, so it’s light to drink
- Coffee beans are cultivated in ideal conditions, so it has the most robust coffee taste.
Cons
- It’s a gourmet brand, so it’s expensive.
Another Kona coffee brand is Volcanica Coffee Company. This gourmet coffee brand sources beans from different volcanic locations around the world.
If you try the brand’s best-selling flavor, Kona Peaberry, you get a rich brew with low acidity and a medium body. This variant has beans grown along the slopes of Mauna Loa Volcano.
Peaberry is a fruit mutation that only develops a single bean. It’s different from the usual coffee cherry, which produces two coffee beans in one fruit. The result of this mutation is more sugar content in a bean and more complex flavors.
Check out Volcanica Coffee Company.
3. Hawaiian Lion
Pros
- Gourmet flavor, so you won’t find this elsewhere.
- Offers drip grind sizes, so it’s convenient to brew a cup
- Full-bodied flavors, so every sip is light and smooth
Cons
- It’s a premium brand, so it’s very expensive.
If you’re looking for the best Hawaiian brand for coffee grounds, try Hawaiian Lion. It’s a gourmet coffee brand available in drip grind, offering convenience when making a cup. And, it’s hard to resist the bold and full-bodied flavors of this brand.
Hawaiian Lion uses medium-roast coffee beans. They give you a robust and smooth flavor, making every drinking experience light and velvety.
Try the brand’s best-selling variant, the Hawaiian Lion 24K Gold Roast. It tastes fresh, strong, and authentic.
Check out Hawaiian Lion.
4. Landor Hawaiian Kona Coffee
Pros
- It’s affordable, so anyone can buy this
- Subtle flavors, giving you a smoother drinking experience
- Coffee is not that intense, so it’s ideal for beginner drinkers
- Made with 100% Arabica beans, so the other flavors are balanced
- It’s a single-origin coffee, so you know your cup is always fresh.
Cons
- Coffee flavors are muted, so it can taste bland for some.
- Not as strong, so it may not have the right amount of caffeine you need
Landor Hawaiian Kona Coffee is one of the few Hawaiian brands offering single-origin coffee. All its products consist of 100% pure Arabica beans. You will like this brand if you prefer subtle coffee flavors.
Because the coffee flavors are milder, you get a mellowed-down drinking experience.
But, be mindful that the taste is more muted compared to other brands on this list. Still, most customers still love this brand because it’s affordable.
Check out Landor Hawaiian Kona Coffee.
5. Blue Horse
Pros
- Has a spicy flavor, so it tastes unique
- Grown organically, so the coffee has health benefits
- Natural roasting process, extracting all the coffee flavors
Cons
- Low caffeine, so it’s not a good morning coffee
Blue Horse is another single-origin coffee. It’s farmed on one of Hawaii’s small estates. This brand sources coffee beans grown and cultivated organically by local farmers.
It also prioritizes natural processes. This ensures that the unique coffee flavors undergo the proper extraction. You will get rich flavors and spicy, smoky undertones from this coffee.
But, a catch with this affordable option is that it lacks caffeine. If you want a pick-me-up Hawaiian coffee brand, Blue Horse is not it.
Check out Blue Horse
Enjoy Tropical Hawaii with The Best Coffee Brands
Hawaii boasts luxurious coffee drinking experiences with its famous coffee brands.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra, go for gourmet Koa coffee. These beans will give you the rich and strong coffee flavors you’re looking for.
But if you’re on a budget, there’s always Landor and Blue Horse. Both are affordable options that make for a good, easy-to-drink brew.
Ultimately, you should taste the brands we mentioned to know which suits your palate. Start brewing your first Hawaiian coffee, and find out which you like best!
