Blue Mountain Coffee
Blue Mountain coffee is a highly prized variety. It is named for the mountain range in Jamaica where the beans are cultivated. Coffee from Jamaica has been in existence since as early as the 18th century, although it didn’t gain popularity until the 19th century. Arabica Beans are the exclusive beans used when making Blue Mountain coffee. It is a delicate bean to grow, but contains more flavor and less caffeine that the more common Robusta Bean.
In order to create a perfect bean, coffee plants must be watered well, drained well, and exposed to coolness periodically during the growing process. In order to have the name Blue Mountain Coffee, the plants must be grown in a specific altitude, which is between 2,000 feet and 5,000 feet. It must also be grown in the communities of St. Andrew, Portland, and St. Thomas. In addition, it has to be grown on an estate belonging to the processing plants of Silver Hill, Mavis Bank, Wallenford, and Moy Hall. If grown elsewhere, it just isn’t Blue Mountain Coffee.
Many different producers and brands use Blue Mountain coffee. To ensure customers are receiving the best, those in the industry in Jamaica have come up with a legislation that creates geographical margins for coffee that is considered Jamaican Blue Mountain. Strict inspections are made of the JCIB, or Jamaica Coffee Industry Board, to reinforce this legislation.