Battle brews over Kona coffee

Companies are using the label when their blends are 10 percent

Associated Press

There's a debate brewing about how much Kona coffee should be required to qualify as a "Kona blend" product.

Many smaller independent coffee farmers see the valuable Kona brand being diluted by large coffee companies, a situation exacerbated by a state law allowing blends with just 10 percent Kona coffee to advertise as "Kona blend."

Many growers say that 10 percent is such a small proportion that the Kona coffee can't even be tasted.

The 10 percent Kona blended products often sell for a quarter of the price of pure Kona coffee.

Some have pushed for a 75-percent blend. But opposition from the big coffee blenders stopped legislation this past session that would have increased the Kona coffee in blends. Lawmakers called for a study to see how best to market the pricey Kona brand.

More >>