Wow it’s smooth! Smoothest cup of coffee I can remember. It’s a sweeter, buttery bean, reminiscent of those coffee hard candies. Truly something. I’ve been home roasting for a few years now, but I’ve never tried Kona, which is a bit embarrassing for me. After all, what kind of coffee snob hasn’t had a sip of Kona? Anyway, researching beans, I stumbled across a vendor in Hawaii. I liked the site’s extensive information and interesting blog posts so I ordered some green 100% Kona beans through KONAEARTH.com .

The beans arrived in less than five days. Despite warnings that Kona beans are more delicate or easy to mis-roast, I tore open the box and tossed a cupful into my modified air-pop roaster with great confidence. These Kona beans look so beautiful, all so regular, none of those awkward misfits that often crop up in other greens. Those warnings just didn’t make sense to me. And even though a new modification to my rig, blinded me to the color of the beans, no problems arose. (I roast by sound and smell, mid-second crack, just before the dark smoke). These Konas were perhaps my most well-behaved roast. They patiently waited for that first crack, then cracked hard and loud. Then a very proud patient silence before the second crack which rattled like a pachinko game. I watched the smoke, I waited too … I pulled them a tad earlier than I would have normally, just to make sure. A minute under the cool fan, and I tossed them directly into the grinder. Yeah, I know I’m supposed to wait a day or two. “The heck with that! These beans just flew in from Hawaii, I’m drinkin’ a cup now!” I blurted to myself. I didn’t even mess with my French Press. My hopes were so high, I expected a great cup out of my Mr. Coffee. At no point was I let down.

Actually, not let down, but jacked up a little too high on the caffeine level, which is a bit higher than most beans. Sadly, I have to limit myself to one cup a day. So, in sum, though not strong on the chocolate touch that I so love, Kona is a sweet knockout that will win you in an instant with its smooth buttery moves. Not to be missed.

BTW, roasters out there, if one of you knows a green bean that has a strong dark chocolate hit, I’d love to try a 50/50 blend with that and Kona. Speak up!

Disclaimer. I'm a hack. I'm not an expert. I am not giving advice here, you make your own choices. I'm just letting you know my experience with this product.

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Books by Author/Illustrator/Speaker Ross Anthony