Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is one of the highest growing coffees in the world.
Coffee plantations are located at an altitude of about 1200 meters above sea level. Many Jamaican coffee producers call it Blue Mountain, although it may be a completely different type of coffee. Even in the US, they often make coffee called Blue Mountain by roasting their own coffee. Outwardly, these grains may not be distinguishable, but the taste qualities are completely different.
Price
The price of Blue Mountain coffee is very high.
There are a number of reasons for this:
Coffee plantations of this variety are located on high mountain peaks. This is very difficult both when harvesting crops and when working on plantations. Cultivation of this coffee is fraught with risk for the people working there, which contributes to its high cost.
Very little of it is produced. In total about 2 million kg. annually. Americans and Europeans are simply fighting among themselves for the remaining 20%. Because Japan takes the rest of the harvest. About 80% of the production is exported to Japanese regions where coffee liqueurs are made.
The quality of the variety is constantly checked. These are strict coffee quality checks that entail certain costs, both labor and financial.
Due to inspections, the volumes of grain products supplied to markets are reduced.
Price
The Jamaica Blue Mountain variety is one of the most expensive in the world, and there are several reasons for this.
Most coffee plantations are located on flat ground, but Jamaica Blue Mountain is cultivated on the very tops of the mountains, which makes both work on the plantations and harvesting much more difficult. Growing this variety is fraught with considerable danger, which also affects the price.
In addition, Blue Mountain coffee is produced in small quantities - about 2 million kg per year, so demand significantly exceeds supply. Considering that 80% is sent to Japan, European or American coffee lovers have to literally fight for the remaining 400 thousand kg.
Finally, this variety undergoes several stringent quality checks, which requires labor and resources, and also reduces the final volume of grain delivered to the market.
How to drink Blue Mountain coffee
Grind the grains in small quantities before drinking the drink. The grains are stored in vacuum containers. They should not be exposed to light. They should be kept in cool and dark places. The product is also not stored in refrigerators.
Brew coffee using a French press, cezve or drip filter. Water must be filtered or bottled.
Conclusion
Baristas talk about the taste of Blue Mountain. They emphasize its softness, purity, smoothness and brightness. The aroma is filled with floral tones with nutty and cocoa notes. It also contains spices and even cream.
How to brew Blue Mountain
There is another feature and exclusivity of Blue Mountain - it is the only one in the world that is packaged in wooden barrels, and not in bags.
In order to properly brew Blue Mountain in a Turk, you must follow these rules:
- Before starting preparation, you need to finely grind the coffee in a coffee grinder.
- To brew coffee, use only cold, unboiled water, preferably ice. Hot or boiled water is not suitable for this at all.
- The Turk needs to be warmed up a little, and then pour coffee into it. The amount of coffee can be any, but it is important to stick to the proportion of 1 tsp. coffee per cup.
- Before pouring water into the pot, the coffee needs to be warmed up. You can add spices and sugar.
- Pour water into the Turk and heat it over low heat.
- Coffee cups should be heated with warm water.
- When foam begins to form in the Turk, spoon it into cups.
- When the coffee begins to rise, it needs to be stirred one last time and poured into cups. To check whether the coffee is brewed correctly, you need to look into the cups; a thin light foam should form on the surface of each.
You can also make Blue Mountain Coffee another way. Calculate 1.5 tsp. coffee per cup. Pour cold water over coffee. Place the Turk on the fire and bring to a boil. When the foam begins to rise, remove from heat and stir. Then put it back on the fire and bring to a boil. Repeat this procedure three times. After making coffee, you should not drink it immediately, you should let it brew for 3 minutes, then it will be very tasty.
Another method is to add a pinch of salt and sugar to finely ground coffee. Stir this whole mixture, add water and stir again. Put the Turk on the fire. When the foam begins to rise, remove the Turk from the heat, add a piece of ice and let it brew for 2 minutes. Heat the coffee cups, remove the foam from the coffee, pour coffee into the cups and place the foam on top.
There are many recipes for preparing Blue Mountain, but everyone chooses the one they like best.
What makes Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee unique?
Coffee is named after the mountain peak on whose slopes it grows. In the early 80s, the territory allocated for coffee production was expanded. Today, the area of plantations amounts to 6 thousand hectares. There is even a register that identifies territories with certain climatic conditions and soil composition. The famous Jamaican variety grows on mountain slopes at an altitude of 600 to 1600 meters above sea level.
Thanks to the content of a large amount of minerals in the soil, as well as the favorable climate, coffee receives a refined taste with a pronounced fruity bouquet. This variety has minimal bitterness. The peculiarity of climatic conditions is that at altitude the temperature is relatively low, while the humidity, on the contrary, is increased. The mountain is surrounded by clouds (hence why it is called Blue Mountain). The grains ripen much longer than other varieties, gradually absorbing all the richness of the aromas of nature.
The harvest is harvested only by hand and then carefully sorted. The grains are wet processed. Coffee not only grows in special conditions, but is also stored in oak barrels, due to which the taste of the drink becomes unique, acquiring light nutty notes. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee has an incredibly long aftertaste that can last up to 6 hours.
Jamaica Blue Mountain is the highest class coffee. Rare and very expensive, it is considered the pinnacle of coffee production. If you can't live a day without coffee, try Jamaica Blue Mountain and you will remember this day for a lifetime!
PS In our store you can purchase coffee capsules for every taste - we constantly update the range of original Nespresso capsules, as well as their analogues. Try all the flavors of your favorite drink!
About coffee
Processing: washed In the cup: milk chocolate, tangerine, caramel, hazelnuts Harvest: 2019/20 Packaging: wooden barrel Rating: 83.25
Region:
Blue Mountain
Growing altitude:
1700–1900 meters above sea level
Jamaica Blue Mountain is perfectly balanced: intense but restrained acidity, velvety body and no bitterness in the taste or aftertaste.
The History of the Legendary Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
The history of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, a true legend of the coffee industry, dates back more than one century. So, in 1728, Sir Nicholas Lawes, governor of Jamaica and owner of the famous Temple Hall, brought the first coffee tree to the island. Initially plantations were laid out in the rolling hills of the parish of St. Andrew, and then they gradually moved to the rich lands of the Blue Mountains - the longest and most amazing mountain range in Jamaica. From its inception to the present day, the state’s coffee industry has experienced both incredible ups and downs. From 1800 to 1840, Jamaica produced approximately 70,000 tons of excellent coffee annually, making it the largest supplier of premium coffee raw materials in the world. In 1838, a law was passed that abolished slavery on the island, which led to the destruction and death of many coffee plantations. Very soon, due to a lack of labor, the coffee industry declined, and by 1891 it was on the verge of complete collapse. Gourmets would never again be able to enjoy the impeccable Jamaica Blue Mountains coffee if the country's government had not taken action - a system of control over the cultivation and production of coffee was introduced. Most attempts to restore the coffee industry were unsuccessful, since by that time Jamaica had already lost important markets, including its main market, Canada. Finally, in 1944, the authorities formed the Central Coffee Clearing House, whose tasks included monitoring the supply of green coffee abroad and the quality of exported products.
After a devastating hurricane swept through Jamaica in 1951, only three tiny plantations in the Blue Mountains remained alive. Then the farmers suffered grief - they had to rebuild their crops again. Help came from the government in the form of a new government body, the Coffee Industry Board, formed to control the quality of Jamaican coffee. Slowly, Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee production began to recover, and in 1973, the famous coffee factories Mavis Bank, Silver Hill, Moy Hall and Wallenford finally officially registered the Blue Mountain Coffee brand. Several years ago, another family-owned company, Old Tavern Estate Coffee, received the exclusive right to produce a product under the Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee brand. Today, Jamaica is one of the leaders in creating the best varieties of coffee. What makes this small island a unique place for growing premium coffee varieties? Jamaica is “greatly lucky” with its climate and geography - the famous Blue Mountains proudly rise above the island, which give birth to amazing coffee. For optimal growth
Coffee trees need adequate moisture, perfect drainage and a cool climate. The Blue Mountains can give all this to culture! To be called Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, the beans must be grown at an altitude of 2,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level, in an area whose boundaries are set by law. Everything else is fake. Real Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is made from selected Arabica beans, grown “under the supervision” of real professionals in their field. Currently, the volume of blue coffee produced is only 1000-1500 tons per year. On a global scale, this amount is equivalent to 0.1% of all coffee produced in Colombia, making it almost impossible to buy Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee on the world market. About 90% of the legendary product is bought by Japan, and the remaining 10% is shared by England, the USA, and since 2009, thanks to the company Jamaica Blue Mountain Rus LLC, and Russia. Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee has now gained international recognition and is widely known as the best coffee in the Caribbean and possibly the best coffee in the world!
Blue Mountain Coffee Pricing
The high cost of Jamaica Blue Mountain is determined not only by demand exceeding supply. Quality control of exported grain also has its own history.
In 1944, the Jamaican government launched the Central Coffee Export Preparation Project, which processed and quality controlled all exported coffee. Another important government decision was the creation of the Jamaica Chamber of Coffee Industry in 1950.
Today, every barrel of coffee passes through the Chamber for quality control before export. In addition, the Jamaica Chamber of Coffee Industry sets mandatory standards for the cultivation, harvesting, processing (washed Arabica only) and marketing of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.
85-90% of Jamaica's Blue Mountain crop goes to Japan, which required Jamaica to sign an agreement in early 2008 on the amount of pesticide and chemical residues in exported coffee. The requirements of the Japanese side significantly exceed the standards adopted in the European Union and other European countries. Thanks to this agreement, all coffee exported from Jamaica today meets these high standards.
Only coffee certified by the Jamaica Chamber of Coffee Industry may use the registered Jamaica Blue Mountain trademark.
To avoid counterfeits, the island has created a list of authorized producers and exporters who sell genuine Blue Mountain coffee. The Chamber also stamps each barrel of coffee with the Specialty Jamaica Blue Mountain stamp.
Description of the variety
Coffee beans in Jamaica are harvested entirely by hand. They are processed using the wet method. In addition, they undergo special sorting. All beans are divided into categories. The highest among them is considered Grade-1. Such beans are only exported.
Jamaica Blue Mountain is considered the best among elite varieties. It is characterized by a balanced combination of sweetness and tartness, as well as a rich aroma. Gourmets appreciate it for its pleasant nutty hue, slightly perceptible sourness and long-lasting fruity aftertaste.
The variety is also considered unique due to the characteristics of growing beans. The plantations are small and located at great heights. Coffee fruits are exported in small quantities. They are placed in oak barrels, on which a stamp is placed confirming their belonging to the famous species. Due to this, it is possible to avoid counterfeits.
