Rich Smooth Flavour Of Blue Mountain Coffee

Jamaica is a magical, beautiful and soulful destination for the traveler, especially those who are coffee lovers. The eastern side of the island boasts the Blue Mountain range, majestic and ethereal, and home of the world class Blue Mountain coffee. The Blue Mountain range is one of the highest in the Caribbeans, with high yearly rainfalls typical of the tropics. Rich soil and good drainage, combined with the cool climate adds up to perfect coffee growing conditions.

This mountain range merits its name, with swirling, misty fog of a bluish color being the norm. Due to this almost constant haze, shade trees are not necessary, as is required with other fine coffees. The fog allows for slow ripening of the beans, best for a harvest of a coffee bean of a complex and subtle rich flavor, without a trace of bitterness.

Within the Blue Mountain range, the coffee growing regions are carefully mapped to define coffee producing land that can be designated Blue Mountain coffee. Within this exclusive region, some 6,000 coffee growers, most small family-owned businesses, produce a unique taste in the world of coffee, typically commanding a high price.

Elevation is an important consideration in the coffee grower's world. In order to earn the designation “Blue Mountain coffee”, the crop must be grown between the 3,000 and 5,500 foot range. Coffee may not be grown above the 5,500 foot range, as Jamaican law designates the higher elevations as protected forest lands.

The Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica inspects and certifies both coffee cultivation and harvests, to verify that coffee beans are grown in the designated Blue Mountain coffee region. Moreover, each batch is graded for quality designation, determined by size and appearance, with strict, small and specific percentages of defective beans allowed in any batch. There are five classifications of grade, ranging from the premium Blue Mountain Peaberry, to Blue Mountain coffee #1 to the lowest classification, Blue Mountain Triage, containing beans of all sizes.

The world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee industry was hit hard in the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, with Ivan in 2004 and Dennis and Emily in 2005 causing a terrible blow to the Blue Mountain coffee growers.

Following hurricane Ivan, which caused terrific damage to the coffee crops, an uncharacteristic period of dry weather stressed the coffee trees still further.

In 2005, hurricanes Dennis and Emily spared the trees in wind damage, but the horrendous rainfall nearly wiped out access roads between the growers and their market, resulting in spoiled crops. Many coffee mills sustained severe damage, further foiling efforts to bring the precious crop to market.

In 2006, weather conditions are better, and the Blue Mountain coffee crop is getting back on its feet.

With clement weather, it is expected that the coming crop will demonstrate its normal sterling qualities once again, and we can all once again rejoice in the delights of Blue Mountain coffee.