Understanding Kona Coffee Grades: A Guide to What's in Your Cup

If you've ever browsed our shop and wondered what the difference is between Extra Fancy and Prime — or why Peaberry costs a little more — you're not alone. Kona coffee has one of the most detailed grading systems of any coffee-growing region in the world, and we think it's worth understanding what goes into each bag.

How Kona Coffee Gets Its Grade

All Kona coffee is graded by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture based on several factors: bean size, moisture content, color, and the number of defects in a sample. Beans are first separated into two categories — Type I (the standard flat-sided beans, two per cherry) and Type II (peaberry, a single round bean per cherry). From there, each type is evaluated and assigned a grade.

What makes Hawaii's system unusual is the emphasis on sorting by size. Very few coffee-growing regions go through this extra step, but it matters — beans of different sizes roast at different rates, so sorting them produces a more consistent, even roast.

Here's what we're currently offering from our 2025 harvest, and what each grade means for the cup.

Extra Fancy

This is the highest grade of Kona coffee. Extra Fancy beans are the largest in the crop and must pass through a 19/64" screen. They're allowed a maximum of only eight defects per 300-gram sample and carry the highest moisture content, which translates to more complexity in flavor. We roast ours at a medium light profile (425°F) to let those qualities come through — expect a bright, clean cup with the full character of our farm's terroir.

Available in 7 oz and 14 oz bags.

Fancy

One step down in size (18/64" screen) with slightly more tolerance for imperfections — up to twelve defects per 300 grams. Fancy is still a premium grade and one of the most popular among Kona coffee drinkers. We roast it at a medium profile (450°F), which brings a nice balance between the bean's natural brightness and a fuller, rounder body.

Available in 7 oz and 14 oz bags.

No. 1

A medium-sized bean with a screen size of 16/64" and up to eighteen defects allowed per sample. No. 1 is a versatile, approachable grade that drinks beautifully as an everyday coffee. Like our Fancy, we roast it at a medium profile (450°F). If you're looking for a solid, well-rounded Kona at a slightly gentler price point, this is a great place to start.

Available in 7 oz and 14 oz bags.

Peaberry

Peaberry beans are a naturally occurring anomaly. Most coffee cherries contain two flat-sided beans, but occasionally only one bean develops inside the cherry, forming a small, round shape. This happens in roughly 3–4% of the total crop, making peaberry one of the rarest selections we offer. Because of their unique shape, peaberry beans require a slightly different roasting approach. We roast ours at a gentle medium light profile (410°F) to highlight their concentrated, vibrant flavor.

Available in 7 oz and 14 oz bags. Limited quantity.

Prime

Prime grade beans are the smallest that still qualify to carry the Kona name. They allow for more defects than the higher grades, but don't let that fool you — Prime delivers a solid, satisfying cup, especially when roasted with care. We offer Prime in two roast profiles: a medium roast (450°F) for those who want balance, and a dark roast (473°F) for anyone who prefers a bolder, richer cup with less acidity.

Available in 7 oz and 14 oz bags, both roast profiles.

No. 3

Under Hawaii law, No. 3 grade beans can't technically carry the "Kona" regional designation, but they're still grown right here on our farm from the same trees. We roast these dark (473°F) and offer them ground only — a great option for drip brewing or anyone who wants an affordable, full-bodied Hawaiian coffee for everyday use.

Available in 14 oz bags, ground only.

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Every one of these grades comes from the same trees on our farm in Kona, picked from the same harvest, and processed right here on the estate. The difference is in the bean itself — its size, its shape, and how it developed on the tree that season. We think there's something to appreciate in every grade, and we hope this helps you find the one that's right for you.

— Kona Kaiju Coffee, Guard Well Farm