Tommie Springer

Located between Kingston and Port Maria on the beautiful island of Jamaica is a mountainous region home to the well-known, expensive Blue Mountain Coffee.

Blue Mountain coffee beans, as with other kinds of coffee beans, are classified into grades based on factors such as the beans’ size, appearance and the number of physical defects allowed. Similar to other types of coffee beans, the beans’ measurements is determined by passing the bean through a colander with holes of different sizes.

Blue Mountain coffee is quite expensive compared to other types of coffee, but one has to understand the complicated grading process of these coffee beans in order to appreciate the high prices that they sell for.

The Coffee Industry Regulations Act states that these Jamaican coffee beans can be classified under the following categories: Blue Mountain No. 1, Blue Mountain No. 2, Blue Mountain No. 3, Blue Mountain Peaberry, Blue Mountain Triage, Blue Mountain Triage Peaberry, Special Triage or Triage B, and High Mountain Supreme Coffee.

For a coffee bean to be classified as Blue Mountain No. 1, the bean must have a screen size 17/18, and must have a maximum of only 2% in significant defects. Coffee beans classified as No.1 means that the beans are of a constant size and are free of deficiencies that can affect the coffee’s taste.

Blue Mountain No. 2 coffee beans also have a maximum of 2% in physical defects, but the size differs from No. 1 beans, and should be at a screen size 16/17.
Similar to Blue Mountain Nos. 1 and 2, Blue Mountain 3 coffee beans should have up to only 2% in maximum physical deficiencies, and should have a screen size 15/16/17.
The coffee beans classified as Blue Mountain Peaberry are said to have a screen size of 10, and have a maximum of 2% in significant defects. Compared to the typical coffee bean, one classified as Peaberry is smaller in size. These coffee beans are believed to have an intense flavor yet a mild taste, probably because they are less acidic.
A Blue Mountain Triage is a mixture of Blue Mountain coffee beans numbers 1, 2 and 3. This classification of coffee bean allows a maximum of 4% in significant defects and some minor physical defects that will not change the quality of the coffee at all.
Blue Mountain Triage Peaberry Coffee is a classification for peaberry coffee beans with good cup quality despite minor physical defects.
The Special Triage or Triage B classification is for beans that have more physical defects and are paler in color. The coffee produced by these beans is of lower quality than compared to those of the Blue Mountain Triage.
Lastly, the High Mountain Supreme Coffee is a classification for the larger beans not grown on the Blue Mountain. These are composed of at least 96% of beans with a screen size 17/18, and a maximum of 2% in physical defects. These beans are of a bluish green color, have a good level of acidity, and have a pure taste.