Coffee beans on table with milk and iced coffee

What Makes Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Special?

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee isn’t your average cup of joeit’s one of the rarest coffees in the world.

Tucked into the lush, volcanic soil of the Blue Mountains—the longest mountain range in Jamaica—this coffee thrives in an ideal climate that nurtures its gradual maturation: mild temps, high altitudes, and lots of rainfall.

Dedicated local farmers with decades of experience climb between 3000 and 5500 feet above sea level to handpick only the best beans, guaranteeing that every one-pound bag you buy is packed with the highest-quality coffee.

What is Special about Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee?

Jamaican Coffee is the perfect choice if you are looking for a high-quality product with a milder taste and ideal for daily drinking. Here are the reasons why people call Blue Mountain coffee the “champagne of coffees”:

Flavor Profile - The Smoothest Coffee

  • Smooth and balanced taste without bitterness
  • Mild to medium roast flavor profile
  • Hints of chocolate and slight sweetness
  • Overtones of citrus
  • Rich, full-bodied flavor
  • Slightly earthy and nutty undertones
  • Delicate and nuanced flavor, ideal for slow savoring

Characteristics - Inviting Aroma That Fills the Room

  • Deftly roasted with a mottled, oily sheen
  • Slightly oily with a ripe appearance and a sweet, deep body
  • Low acidity, making it gentle on the stomach
  • Clean and frothy brew with a sweet aroma
  • Consistently smooth from start to finish
French Press coffee

How To Brew The Perfect Cup

The best way to brew Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is to use manual brewing techniques, such as a French press or pour-over. 

In this example, we'll use 30 grams of Jamaican coffee and 500 grams of water for both methods, which is enough to serve two people.

French Press Method

If you want your cup of Jamaican coffee to have a rich, full-bodied flavor, use the French press method. It's easy and convenient, and anyone can use it at home.

  1. Grind your coffee more likely described as medium (breadcrumbs-like texture).
  2. Use freshly boiled water.
  3. Pour the right amount of water on top. We’re using 500 grams of water with 30 grams of coffee for this.
  4. Give the coffee four minutes to sit. 
  5. Stir the crust, then scoop off any foam and coffee bits from the top.
  6. Let it rest for at least five minutes.
  7. Press the filter just until it reaches the surface, then pour the coffee through it without plunging all the way down.

Pour-Over Method

If you like your coffee lighter, use the pour-over method. It takes a little extra time and patience, as you must pour the water slowly and steadily.

  1. Grind your coffee to a slightly finer than medium grind (sand-like texture)
  2. Rinse to remove the paper taste and preheat the brewer. (For plastic V60, use hot tap water. For glass, ceramic, or metal V60, use the hottest water possible.)
  3. Add coffee grounds to V60.
  4. Create a well in the middle of the grounds.
  5. Start the timer and follow these pouring phases (this process takes approximately 3 minutes and 30 seconds):

Bloom Phase

0:00: Pour double the water-to-coffee ratio (e.g., 60 grams of water for 30 grams of coffee).

Swirl the coffee slurry until evenly mixed.

Allow the coffee to bloom for 30-45 seconds.

Main Pour Phase

0:45: Pour 60% of the total water (300 grams) over the next 30 seconds.

Slow Pour Phase

1:15: Slowly add the remaining 40% of water over 30 seconds to keep the cone topped up. Pour a little slower than in the first phase, not too aggressively.

Finishing Touches

1:45: Stir in both directions once (clockwise and counterclockwise). Ensure no grounds stick to the paper and avoid a swirling motion. Allow the V60 to drain, then give a final swirl to keep the bed flat for even extraction.

3:30: Aim to finish the drawdown by this time.

Pro Brewing Tips:

  • Store coffee in an airtight, light-blocking canister to maintain freshness.
  • Grind just before drinking.
  • Use good-quality water. If your tap water doesn’t taste great, use a Brita filter or bottled water for a better taste.

Brewing a cup of coffee

Why Does Blue Mountain Coffee Cost More?

This coffee has a higher price for three main reasons: its unique growing conditions, strict certification, and limited production area.

Growing Conditions

The cool temperatures, high elevations, and rich volcanic soil in the Blue Mountains create the right climate for a slow ripening process. This produces coffee with a mild acidity, a smooth taste, and no bitterness.

Strict Certification

The Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica rigorously monitors both production and certification to guarantee that only beans of the highest quality are certified as Jamaica Blue Mountain.

Limited Production Area

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is quite rare. It accounts for less than 1% of the world's coffee supply, with Jamaica producing fewer than 2 million pounds of it annually. Its 6,000-acre cultivation spread across four parishes makes it even more exclusive and unique to coffee drinkers.

Japan’s Demands

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is in high demand in Japan, leaving little for the rest of the world. Japan accounts for roughly 80% of the exports.

The Bottom Line: Is Jamaican Coffee Worth It?

So yes! Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is certainly worth it as it is truly a coffee that is one of the smoothest and most flavorful in the world. Don’t just take our world for it though, try our sample bag of unroasted beans or our own brand of roasted coffee.

What are others saying? According to many Amazon reviews, it’s “absolutely perfect.” One reviewer even went so far as to label this coffee the "Rolls Royce of coffees." However, some contend that the only reason for the hype is its rarity.

If you want to experience Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee’s genuine and rich flavors, make sure you buy from reputable stores and that your brewing game is spot on. 

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