Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee – How Good Is It?
Why is Jamaican coffee so good? High altitudes with low-hanging clouds keep the coffee plants damp. However, the surrounding jungle remains cool. Furthermore, rainfall and soil makeup provide a unique growing environment unlike anywhere else.
Strict quality control is made possible by hand picking, washing, and sorting each coffee bean. This ensures only good beans are exported.
History Of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee dates back to 1723 when King Louis XV of France sent three coffee plants to a fertile island 1900 kilometers SW of Jamaica.
At the time, it was under the French colony of Martinique; this lush growing condition allowed the coffee plants to prosper. However, five years later, in 1728, the governor of Jamaica “Sir Nicholas Lawes” was gifted one of the coffee plants by the governor of Martinique.
This one arabica coffee plant was nurtured, and over nine years, a plantation was grown. The Jamaican blue mountain coffee is cultivated mostly arabica typical. Arabica coffee is the most popular worldwide, making up 60% of coffee beans sold. The plant is near the equator and is part of the Rubiaceae family.
What Does Blue Mountain Coffee Taste Like?
It’s grown on the steep elevations of blue mountain, north of Kingston, on the island’s eastern side, and grown at 2350 meters above sea level altitudes, thriving in the fertile volcanic soil with its regular rainfall. The finest Jamaican blue mountain coffee is grown in 5 leading estates: Mavis bank, Moy hall, Wallenford, Silver hill, and Old tavern estate.
It can be described as silky smooth, and well-balanced with an excellent full-body aroma. It is, overall, attributed to the wet process of washing the coffee beans. The taste is complex, often with hints of chocolate and mild acidity. The coffee bean itself exhibits a bright and vibrant color.
Top 5 Jamaican Blue Mountain K Cups
To find Jamaican blue mountain coffee is rare and especially in whole beans. Furthermore, even rare in single-serve k-cups, this premium coffee blend preceded its reputation.
Blue Mountain Coffee K Cups
This medium roast coffee is grown at high altitudes on Perry Estates; they hand-pick coffee cherries several times per year with traditional methods and guarantee the highest quality product. Each box offers 18 single-serve organic and fair trade-approved cups, perfectly balanced in flavor with silky smooth edges that always seduce the senses.
Medium roast-certified Blue Mountain Coffee Blend precedes its reputation by hand washing and sun drying each batch.
Wallenford Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
The story goes “Mathew Wallen, a captain of the British Navy, sailed into Jamaica in 1746 and soon after pursued his greater passion as a Botanist. Dedicated to his craft recorded over 400 varieties of ferns and grew coffee in the blue mountains. In this area is where the Wallenford farmer have been for over 250 years.”
The rich soils and continuous rainfall combined to create conditions perfect for cultivating the world’s most distinguished brew. Famous for it’s rarity, intense aroma, perfect flavor and balanced taste. Makes sense this unique blend soothes the spirit and satisfies the soul.
San Francisco Bay Coffee
This unique Jamaican blue mountain blend has a nutty caramel aroma with moderate acidity and a full medium body. Grown at an elevation of 3000 feet giving you the long and pleasing long finish experience.
Compatible with k-cup style brewers including Keurig 2.0 which includes 9 brew sizes with a 40 ounce water reservoir.
Dancing Moon Coffee
Dancing moon Jamaican blue mountain coffee is one of the most sought after coffee’s in the blue mountain district. The body exhibits a balanced flavor, full aroma and mild acidity. Designated areas of the Blue mountains of Jamaica grow the beans between 3000 to 5000 feet.
Every 5% of profits donated to Semper Fi fund benefiting wounded U.S Armed Forces members and families.
Blue Roastery Jamaican Coffee
Grown on the Eastern end of the beautiful island of Jamaican, overall conditions are perfectly suited for cultivating this delicious coffee. These k-cups are medium full body roast and described as intense aroma with a balanced taste.
It’s both organic and leading third party certified of Fairtrade.
Island Blue Jamaican Coffee
Highly recognized as a smooth delicate and beautiful aroma, blended with inferior grades of coffee and certified by the Jamaican coffee industry board. This authentic quality Jamanican blue mountain coffee has intense aroma and hints of chocolate.
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How Much Caffeine Is In Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee?
For most cups of coffee it comes down to the type of coffee and brewing methods that determine amounts of caffeine. The average cup of coffee contains 133 milligrams per 8 fluid ounces of water, this varies on the bean quality and growing conditions.
Jamaican blue mountain coffee varies between 80 – 135 milligrams per 8 ounces, this does change depending on soil conditions and altitude in which the coffee beans are grown at.
Does Costco Have Blue Mountain Coffee?
Yes they offer Zavida Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, grown on select Jamaican estates certified by Coffee Industry Board Of Jamaica. It comes in 800g (28.2 oz) of whole beans and 100% Kosher certified. These are the most flavorful beans grown in the Caribbean.
If you’re interested in this product a Costco membership is required under certain conditions, must be 18 years or older and membership is non-transferable. Want to learn more check out Costco Membership Policy Here.
Does Starbucks Offer Blue Mountain Coffee?
Starbucks is an international brand name, they offer a wide selection of coffee from different parts of the world and through Starbucks reserve they offer a unique coffee called Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee.
These beans are grown under the blue ridge peak at an elevation of 2,250 meters. The fertile soils and abundance of rainfall allows the ideal growing conditions. Exported in small batches of wooden barrels, this delightful balanced coffee of mild citrus notes and a smooth milk chocolate finish gives Jamaican blue mountain coffee an intense aroma.
How Much Is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee?
On average you will be paying anywhere between $50 – $120 USD for 16 ounces of Jamaican blue mountain coffee, varying between grocery store to single serve k -cups. This includes 4 choices of whole beans, ground, French press (coarse ground) or espresso grind (very fine grind).
If it’s your first time tasting Jamaican blue mountain coffee I recommend giving a sample pack a try, this includes 3 – 6 oz brand samplers for $70 US. This includes Arthur McGowan peaberry by trumpet tree, flamstead estate and clydesdale.
Looking to try blue mountain coffee for the first time, it can be difficult to decide what brand or flavors especially if you’ve never tried them before. We recommend purchase a sampler pack directly from Blue Mountain Coffee Website Here.
Another option is purchasing green beans and roasting them yourself, this method does take more time but will only cost $40 for 16 ounces. We recommend Gas Burner Coffee Roasting Machine, designed for roasting between 200-300 grams per batch and 5 star review on Amazon.
Grocery stores often charge the most as buying off Costco or Amazon will cost you on average $120 per 16 ounces. If you’re looking to buy in bulk 5 lbs will cost $234.00
How To Roast Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee?
First step into roasting Jamaican blue mountain coffee is picking a specific method of roasting and the roast level you desire.
- Light Roast – 180°C – 205°C (356°F – 401°F)
- Medium Roast – 210°C – 230°C (410°F – 446°F)
- Dark Roast – 240°C – 250°C (464°F – 482°F)
1.Set up the roasting machine – have a wooden spoon, colander and airtight container nearby
2. Measure the number of coffee beans – roasting machines have specific standards. Check you’re manual
3. Place the green beans into the roaster – close the lid and turn it on
4. Allow the coffee to roast – beans will start changing color after 3 minutes, first crack within 5 minutes indicating light roast
5. Place them into a colander – cool them by moving back and forth. We recommend Bellemain Micro-Perforated Stainless Steel Colander, it’s dishwasher safe with 5 star reviews on Amazon
6. Let the coffee beans reach room temperature – store in an airtight container and allow sufficient time for CO2 gas to vent off. We recommend Coffee Gator Stainless Steel Container, contains zero-BPA with a built in CO2 vent
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning on purchasing Jamaican blue mountain coffee whether it’s whole beans, pre-ground or k-cups there is an option for you. Both from a retailer or directly from Jamaican blue mountain coffee.
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