FAQs
What does “Kohana” mean? Kohana are the beautiful, small white flowers that bloom on the coffee plant. 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 blended, single-bean, varietal, flavored, and decaffeinated coffees. Our blended coffees are: Kohana, Espresso, Arabian, Organic, Pacific, Sunrise, and Sunset blends. Single-bean offerings are: 100% Hawaiian Prime, 100% Hawaiian Select, Flores Bajawa, Organic Ethiopian Harrar, Organic Ethiopian Sidamo, Organic Mexican, Organic Sumatra, and Kenya AA. Kohana’s varietal coffees are: Organic French Roast and Italian Roast. Flavored coffees include: Hawaiian Hazelnut, Kahlua Fudge and Vanilla Macadamia Nut. Our decaffeinated selections are: Decaf Kohana Blend, Decaf Espresso Blend, and Decaf Columbian.
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 Sunrise Blend. Customers may also buy 100% Hawaiian Prime and 100% Hawaiian Select, both single-bean Hawaiian coffees.
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 district. 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 a plantation on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, in fertile, volcanic soil, at the perfect elevation.
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 characteristics. Kohana Coffee supports organic agricultural practices, environmental protection, and fair compensation for coffee growers and workers. Kohana relies upon and trusts its coffee suppliers to advise the company on these concerns.
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. Our proprietary low-temperature,
slow-roasting formulas were created and perfected in Hawaii by our founding master roaster, who drew inspiration from
the slow-roasting techniques used to make savory Texas barbecue, It costs more for Kohana Coffee to roast this way,
but it’s the only way we know to make the world’s best coffee.
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 gourmet coffee. However, this is a question of personal taste. It’s perfectly fine to use cream and sugar (or non-dairy and sugar-free substitutes) with Kohana coffee. In fact, we’ve found that cream and sugar enhance our Hawaiian Hazelnut, Kahlua Fudge, and Vanilla Macadamia Nut flavored coffees. Try it yourself…it’s delicious!
Where can I buy Kohana Coffee? Kohana Coffee is currently available by the cup or in sealed foil bags at Cissi’s Market, 1400 S. Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 78704. Cissi’s Market is located in the “04” development along with other stores including By George, Ann Kelso, Service Merchandise, Kid Genius, and Mars Restaurant. The baristas in Cissi’s Market typically brew Kohana Blend, Sunrise Blend and Decaf Kohana Blend by the cup daily. There is also a weekly-featured coffee selected from Kohana’s other offerings. Kohana’s Espresso Blend and Decaf Espresso Blend are used to make espresso, cappuccino, mocha, latte, macchiato, and Big Kohana Freeze drinks.
Can I buy Kohana Coffee online? Yes. From the homepage, click on Buy Online. You will see the complete Kohana Coffee line and may select whole bean or ground coffee. There is a 2-pound minimum on all online orders. Shipping and Handling instructions can be found on the Terms and Conditions link at the top of the Coffee menu. If you have questions regarding an order, email us at sales@kohanacoffee.com or call (512) 904-1174.
I like dark roast coffees. What kind do you have? Our dark roast selections are outstanding. First we recommend our Sunrise Blend, combining light, medium, and espresso roasted beans. While you can detect the distinct flavors of all four beans, it still tastes like a dark coffee. Kohana’s Organic French Roast is a sumptuous and full-bodied single bean varietal. While not entirely a dark roast, you’ll love the flavor! Our Pacific Blend, a two-bean combination of dark and medium roasted beans, is rich and mellow. Finally, the Kohana Italian Roast and 100% Hawaiian Select are pure, dark coffees ideally suited for the dark roast lover.
Dark roasted coffees taste oily and are too heavy for me. Do you have any medium roast coffees? Of course. You will like any of our medium roast single bean coffees including Organic Ethiopian Sidamo, Organic Mexican, Organic Sumatra, and our flavored selections, which include Hawaiian Hazelnut, Kahlua Fudge and Vanilla Macadamia Nut. Kohana Blend and Arabian Blend also are good choices for you.
What about Kohana’s decaffeinated coffees? Kohana’s decaf coffees are like no others. Our offering includes Decaf Kohana Blend, Decaf Espresso Blend and Decaf Columbian, a single-bean coffee. Forget about instant decafs with chemical-sounding names, Kohana decafs are complex in flavor and aroma. 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 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 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 two months. 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 available at most department stores. By grinding your coffee beans as you use them, your Kohana coffee will stay fresher longer and you will enjoy optimum taste. If you don’t have a coffee grinder, you can select to purchase ground coffee on the online order form. If you are in Austin, you can always visit Cissi’s Market , where Kohana is sold, and a barista will gladly grind your beans for you - a good idea for when you are preparing a large amount of coffee to use all at once.
Where do you roast your coffee? Kohana Coffee packages and ships its coffee from south Austin, Texas, where we also have a roasting facility.
