What does “Kohana” mean? Kohana are the beautiful, small white flowers that bloom on the coffee plant right before the growth of the 'cherry'. This flower is our company’s symbol. The word Kohana is shared by the Japanese and native Hawaiians. 

What are the Kohana coffees? Kohana Coffee has single origin, blends, flavored, and decaffeinated coffees. Our blended coffees are: our signature Kohana Blend, Kohana Espresso, Rockin’ Like Austin, North Shore, Acoustic Soul, Organic, and Decaf Kohana blends. Single origin offerings are: Waialua Estate, Organic Flores Bajawa, Organic/Fair Trade Ethiopian Harrar, Organic/Fair Trade Ethiopian Sidamo, Organic Honduran Marcala, Organic Mexican, Organic Sumatra, Kohana Panama, Mexican Pluma Don Eduardo and Antigua Bella Carmona.  Our flavored coffee is the beautiful Island Cacao. Our decaffeinated selections are: Decaf Kohana Blend and Decaf Espresso Blend.  

Is Kohana Coffee Hawaiian coffee? Yes. Kohana’s signature coffee, Kohana Blend, features a special Hawaiian coffee bean, giving this coffee its superb taste. The same Hawaiian bean is used in our Northshore Blend.  Customers may also buy our Waialua Estate as a  single-origin Hawaiian coffee. In addition to these specific coffees we also sell coffees from other coffee growing regions all over the world.

Is Kohana coffee the same as Kona coffee? No. Kona coffee is grown on the Big Island of Hawaii and is exclusive to the Kona coffee region. Coffee beans are designated similarly to grapes grown in wine regions that carry names like Napa, Sonoma, Bordeaux, or Champagne.  

Where are Kohana Coffee’s Hawaiian beans grown? On an estate on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, in fertile, volcanic soil, with  the perfect mixture of sunshine and rainfall.    

Is Kohana Coffee organic, fair trade, or shade grown? Kohana roasts the best beans from around the world, and whenever possible, purchases green coffee with these certifications. Kohana Coffee supports organic agricultural practices, environmental protection, and fair compensation for coffee growers and workers. If we are not buying directly from the farmer Kohana relies upon and trusts its additional coffee suppliers to follow along these principals.   

What is Kohana Cold Brew? To cold brew coffee we carefully select the perfect beans and craft roast them to bring out optimum flavors. From there we steep that coffee in cold water which takes out approximately 70% of acids normally found in hot brewed coffee. Kohana Cold Brew is a coffee concentrate and can be used in iced coffee or as a hot coffee. It also has a myriad of other uses. You be the barista!  Kohana Cold Brew is the only shelf stable cold brewed product on the market.

Kohana Coffee is not bitter like most coffees. Why is that? Because Kohana does not use the high-heat, quick-roast methods that most roasters use; methods that make coffee taste burned and bitter. We carefully craft roast each bean to the optimum peak of performance and taste.

If Kohana Coffee isn’t bitter, do I need cream and sugar in my coffee? Many customers say they’ve stopped using cream and sugar since becoming Kohana Coffee drinkers. They are enjoying the unadulterated flavors and aromas of specialty grade coffee. However, this is a question of personal taste. It’s perfectly fine to use cream and sugar with Kohana coffee.  

Where can I buy Kohana Coffee? Kohana Coffee is currently available at these locations. 

Can I buy Kohana Coffee online? Yes. From the homepage, click on Shop. You will see the complete Kohana Coffee line. If you have questions regarding an order, please email us at orders@kohanacoffee.com or call 512.904.1174.  

What about Kohana’s decaffeinated coffees? Kohana’s decaf coffees are like no others. Our offering includes Decaf Kohana Blend and Decaf Espresso Blend . Kohana decafs are complex in flavor and aroma and are all water processed.  Each bean is individually roasted before it is blended.  Coffee drinkers who normally would not consider drinking decaf find the taste of Kohana’s decafs as satisfying as regular. All our decafs are delicious with Decaf Espresso Blend ideal for decaf espresso drinks.

How should I store my Kohana coffee at home? Kohana coffee is packaged in foil laminate bags with degassing valves to ensure maximum freshness. Our coffees should be stored at a steady, moderate temperature in a dark, airtight container such as a ceramic jar with a sealing lid. The enemies of fresh roasted coffee beans include  air, light, moisture, excessive heat and cold, and odors. Coffee beans are very porous after roasting and despite the myth, storing them in a freezer or refrigerator subjects them moisture from freezing and the condensation that occurs when the appliance door is repeatedly opened and closed. This moisture and freezing depletes the coffee’s natural oils, destroying the flavor.  Porous coffee beans also absorb food odors from neighboring items, ruining the taste.

How long does Kohana coffee stay fresh? Stored in Kohana’s foil bags at a cool, steady temperature, your Kohana coffee should stay fresh for two weeks. Unopened whole bean coffee stored in airtight containers may stay fresh for up to a month. Stored whole bean coffee stays fresher longer than ground.

Do I need a coffee grinder? For the best, freshest tasting coffee, having a personal coffee grinder is recommended.  Coffee grinders are relatively inexpensive and easily available.. By grinding your coffee beans as you use them, your Kohana coffee will stay fresher longer and you will enjoy optimum taste.  

Where do you roast your coffee? Our roasting facility is located in south Austin, Texas.  We roast and package Kohana Coffee here and ship it around the world.

Why should we trust the team at Kohana Coffee?    Besides personal drives to learn as much about coffee as possible, Kohana Coffee’s team takes training and education seriously. In addition to direct experience in the coffee industry, we are members of  the Specialty Coffee Association of America, the governing body of our industry, and the Roaster’s Guild , where we gain valuable professional knowledge and training. Among other qualifications, current certifications and completed workshops include Organic Acids and the Chemistry of Coffee, Espresso, Brewing Technology, Exploring Heat Transfer in the Roaster – Thermodynamics, Sensory Skills,   Cupping- Comparative Cupping, and the Art of  Craft Roasting.