Where to buy Kona coffee for home brew

Question

Hi friends. We travel in 10 days. Where can we purchase Kona coffee to brew in our Airbnb in Hawaii island, and which brand? In other words, if we hit up a grocery store to stock our Airbnb, which brand should we look for for quality and value?

We will definitely tour a plantation and purchase some to take back to California with us, but for more affordable daily drinking while in the island, any recs?

Answer

Aloha! If you’re looking to enjoy Kona coffee during your stay on the Big Island without splurging on plantation prices, you have several good options for purchasing quality coffee at grocery stores and local markets. While nothing beats buying directly from a farm for authenticity, grocery-bought Kona coffee is convenient and still quite tasty for daily brewing.

Here are some suggestions for where to buy and which brands to look for:

Grocery Stores: Safeway, KTA Super Stores, Foodland, and Walmart on the Big Island carry a range of Kona coffee options, both 100% Kona and blends.
Popular Brands:
- Kona Coffee Purveyors – often found pre-ground or whole bean; good balance of quality and price.
- Hawaiian Isles Kona Coffee – widely available and affordable; usually a 50/50 blend with other Hawaiian beans.
- Kona Joe Coffee – premium, more boutique, but some stores carry smaller bags for daily use.
- Royal Kona Coffee – a solid choice for grocery store convenience; often whole bean or ground.
Farmers Markets and Local Shops: If you want a bit more flavor variety without paying plantation prices, many towns (e.g., Kailua-Kona, Hilo) have farmers markets where small local roasters sell affordable daily-use Kona coffee.

Tips for brewing in your Airbnb:

Buy whole bean if possible and grind fresh for better flavor.
If you like drip coffee, check for medium roast labeled for drip; for French press, a coarser grind works best.
Check the roast date on the bag — fresher beans make a noticeable difference.
Blends labeled “Kona blend” are usually 10-50% Kona beans mixed with cheaper beans; for authentic Kona flavor, aim for 100% Kona if budget allows.

In short, for everyday brewing in your Airbnb, brands like Kona Coffee Purveyors, Royal Kona, and Hawaiian Isles offer good value and taste. You can then treat yourself to a premium bag from a plantation for taking home.