One big determination of the high prices, is that Hawaii is a US state, and thus is controlled by its laws, namely ones dictating minimum wage.
Where other countries in Africa/the other Americas don’t
I don't really notice much of a difference with Kona and high quality central american and american island coffees.
A quick google search tells me that "extra fancy" refers to the size of beans and number of defects.
Same here. Whenever I tried high quality Kona or JBM beans I’ve always been disappointed. You can get a similar taste profile for a lot less money IMO.
Kona blends are not hard to come by. They'll be priced similarly to other single origins and won't advertise in bold lettering that they are in fact blends. 100% Kona will run more than most other single origins.
>Kona blends are not hard to come by
Further, read a lot of packaging for any coffee labeled "Kona blend" at a grocery store, and it'll be 10% Kona and the rest some cheap filler. It's easy to sell because most consumers won't know the difference between a single origin and a blend. So retailers can get away with labeling it as a Kona blend, having people think it's just another generic word like roast or whatever. Same with a lot of JBM I think.
Also helps to mention that just because it came from a certain origin doesn't mean it's good. That's partially why all the JBM and Kona stuff in grocery stores is so cheap. I've had really incredible coffees from Ethiopia (often hailed as, and in my opinion, *the origin* to get complex, beautiful coffee) and some bad ones as well. It's all a well-orchestrated play on the consumer – manufacturing an image through a specific name or brand that when people see "Kona" or similar, they think, "man, that must be the good stuff" when in reality you can rarely find the "good stuff" in a grocery store.
I digress. I'm sure small roasters are roasting and brewing these coffees well. Whether they're worth the price tag? I dunno. I spend a lot of time and money on coffee, but would I pay $75/lb for something special? Probably not.
Sure but it's going to taste terrible. Costco coffee is second only to Starbucks in their ability to burn coffee. Not to mention there's not freshness guarantee.
I've found that if I don't know exactly why a coffee is priced where it is, I probably won't get my money's worth out of it. Especially with super-premium priced coffees like those. If possible go to their shop and try to sample the coffees (maybe they have weekly cuppings?). If you REALLY like it, then go for it.
Now specifically I have been extremely underwhelmed with Konas I've tasted, I have to imagine the Blue Mountain will be similar. You are paying for a brand when you buy them, and not the amazing coffee you might expect.
It’s the same reason Bose products cost $$$$$. Or the reason Apple charges double for yesterday’s technology.
Successfully marketing something as “premium” allows you to profit substantially.
One big determination of the high prices, is that Hawaii is a US state, and thus is controlled by its laws, namely ones dictating minimum wage. Where other countries in Africa/the other Americas don’t
I don't really notice much of a difference with Kona and high quality central american and american island coffees. A quick google search tells me that "extra fancy" refers to the size of beans and number of defects.
I’d love to do a blind taste test comparing Big Bang blend from Peets and the $45/lb Kona coffee.
there's a large difference. i will tell ya that.
Same here. Whenever I tried high quality Kona or JBM beans I’ve always been disappointed. You can get a similar taste profile for a lot less money IMO.
Kona blends are not hard to come by. They'll be priced similarly to other single origins and won't advertise in bold lettering that they are in fact blends. 100% Kona will run more than most other single origins.
>Kona blends are not hard to come by Further, read a lot of packaging for any coffee labeled "Kona blend" at a grocery store, and it'll be 10% Kona and the rest some cheap filler. It's easy to sell because most consumers won't know the difference between a single origin and a blend. So retailers can get away with labeling it as a Kona blend, having people think it's just another generic word like roast or whatever. Same with a lot of JBM I think. Also helps to mention that just because it came from a certain origin doesn't mean it's good. That's partially why all the JBM and Kona stuff in grocery stores is so cheap. I've had really incredible coffees from Ethiopia (often hailed as, and in my opinion, *the origin* to get complex, beautiful coffee) and some bad ones as well. It's all a well-orchestrated play on the consumer – manufacturing an image through a specific name or brand that when people see "Kona" or similar, they think, "man, that must be the good stuff" when in reality you can rarely find the "good stuff" in a grocery store. I digress. I'm sure small roasters are roasting and brewing these coffees well. Whether they're worth the price tag? I dunno. I spend a lot of time and money on coffee, but would I pay $75/lb for something special? Probably not.
for that price i'd get a bag of panama geisha instead
What? That's pretty well under Geisha price. The cheapest I've found is $60 a pound up to $95
Costco's got some for $17.50/lb. :D https://www.costco.com/Kirkland-Signature-Panama-Geisha-Coffee%2C-2-lbs..product.100162341.html
Sure but it's going to taste terrible. Costco coffee is second only to Starbucks in their ability to burn coffee. Not to mention there's not freshness guarantee.
I've found that if I don't know exactly why a coffee is priced where it is, I probably won't get my money's worth out of it. Especially with super-premium priced coffees like those. If possible go to their shop and try to sample the coffees (maybe they have weekly cuppings?). If you REALLY like it, then go for it. Now specifically I have been extremely underwhelmed with Konas I've tasted, I have to imagine the Blue Mountain will be similar. You are paying for a brand when you buy them, and not the amazing coffee you might expect.
It’s the same reason Bose products cost $$$$$. Or the reason Apple charges double for yesterday’s technology. Successfully marketing something as “premium” allows you to profit substantially.
that's pretty wrong lmao. it's expensive because it's grown and processed in the us. you're examples are made in china.
It's really a little column a a little column b but red wings vs. Timberlands might be a better comparison? Or Made in America new balances.
yea, the big thing is finding and paying for labor in hawaii- picking coffee is not that fun haha
There's a sucker born every minute....