Tommie Springer

To coffee aficionados around the world, the exquisite island of Jamaica in the Caribbean is known to be the home of the most exotic and aromatic coffee ever grown—Blue Mountain coffee.

On the eastern end of this island is a majestic range of regional mountains known as the Blue Mountains. This stretch of mountains is located between Port Maria to the north and Kingston to the south, and is spread over an average length of 28 miles with a width of about 12 miles. The highest peak of this land of wood and water is the Blue Mountain Peak, which is 7,402 feet above sea level. Being so tall, these mountains are almost always blanketed by the fog, giving these breathtaking mountains their bluish color and their name.

It is no wonder that coffee beans are cultivated and harvested on these mountains. The climate is composed of an ideal balance of sun, mist, and high rainfall, and the rich earth has excellent drainage. The overall combination of conditions of this mountainous environment make it perfect for growing coffee, which is why Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most delicious and sought-after gourmet coffees in the world. The best of Blue Mountain coffee is known for having a light, mild flavor with the absence of a bitter taste.

When it comes to producing these world-renowned coffee beans, some farmers utilize wet processing. The coffee beans are immersed in water after they are harvested, causing the ripe, good beans to sink while the bad beans stay afloat. This process makes sorting easier. Afterwards, the good beans are pulped and washed, and now called “wet parchment”. The beans are then put away to dry for at least six weeks, then laid out onto the ground or onto large tables. In order to dry the beans evenly and prevent mildew from growing on them, they are constantly raked throughout the day, giving the beans a greater consistency. However, most Blue Mountain coffee beans are produced by local farmers who each like to follow their own secret process from harvesting to roasting of the coffee beans.

To guarantee the quality of the Blue Mountain coffee of Jamaica, the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board had to set standards for the processing of the coffee beans and has to monitor and certify which beans can be branded as Blue Mountain Coffee on the label.

Because Blue Mountain coffee is so favored and rare, it is very difficult to purchase. You may see Blue Mountain Coffee everywhere, but chances are slim that you have found the real thing. Your best bet would be to search for Blue Mountain Coffee at specialty coffee shops, high-end restaurants, or on the Internet, since most sidewalk cafes and grocery stores do not keep them in stock. When it comes to prices, the higher prices are probably more likely to be the real thing. No matter how grueling the search may be for Blue Mountain Coffee though, it will be well worth the wait.