Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Some coffees stand out as particularly fine examples of nature's wonderful bean, and possibly the most famous of them all is Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. It is very rare as well as very tasty and most of it is bought up by the Japanese market where it is the most popular of coffees. Fortunately for the rest of coffee lovers, enough of it is exported elsewhere that it is not too difficult to locate this marvelous bean although it is considerably more expensive than most other varieties of arabica coffee.

By law, to be called Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, it must come from the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica in a area very specifically designated as the Blue Mountain region. It must be certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica. In addition, it must be grown at an elevation of from 3,000 to 5,500 feet. Above 5,500 feet is forest preserve throughout Jamaica and no coffee is cultivated above that height. Some similar but considered lesser coffees are the Jamaica High Mountain grown between 1,500 and 3,000 feet and the Jamaica Supreme or Low Mountain coffee grown below 1,500 feet.

The climate of the Blue Mountains is considered ideal for growing coffee. It is at the correct elevation, the soil is very rich and fertile, and the climate is cool and has a lot of moisture for maximum quality and yield of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. No coffee is permitted to be sold as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee unless it is grown in the proper region at the proper elevation, is certified by the Coffee Industry Board, and also meets the quality standard for its grade, which is based on the size and uniformity of the beans. No more than 2% of the beans in any certified batch are allowed to have any flaws of shape or size. One of the most prized grades is the Jamaican Blue Mountain peaberry coffee.

Every coffee variety wherever in the world it is grown has a distinct set of flavor characteristics. Some coffees are very strong and bold while others are much milder and more subtle. Some have a strong bitter tone and others are considered to be smoother with less bite. Coffee drinkers vary greatly in exactly what flavor notes and characteristics they prefer and will choose beans that suit their own preferences.

Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is a mild and subtle flavored bean with some fruity, almost floral notes and it is almost entirely free of bitterness. For those who object to the bitter note, this makes this bean highly desirable. While some Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee finds its way into blends which stretch the supply and reduce the price, it is so elegant that it deserved to be brewed and consumed as the pure single bean.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Genuine Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee must be certified by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica and must come from between 3,000 and 5,500 feet of elevation in the designated district of the Blue Mountains. The conditions here produce a bean that is mild in flavor and free of bitterness.  For more info on Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee visit their web site.