Tasting the Flavor Profile of Blue Mountain No.1 Coffee - Characteristics, Grades and Quality Levels of Authentic Blue Mountain Coffee Beans

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The Origin of Blue Mountain Coffee

Located in eastern Jamaica, the Blue Mountain Range is renowned for producing the world's finest coffee. As the highest mountain range in the Caribbean region, it maintains a misty climate year-round. When sunlight shines on the azure sea, casting light and shadow on the fog-covered peaks, it renders a bluish mountain silhouette—hence the name Blue Mountain.

Compared to coffee production from other regions, authentic Blue Mountain Coffee yields only about 900 tons annually, which is then distributed worldwide. While not inexpensive, it remains reasonably priced.

Therefore, when encountering many Blue Mountain coffee flavors in supermarkets and convenience stores, or Blue Mountain-flavored blends sold in coffee shops, extra caution is advised.

What Qualifies as Blue Mountain Coffee?

The definition of "Blue Mountain Coffee" is remarkably strict. Similar to how wine is distinguished by estate or variety, only Typica variety coffee grown in the legally designated planting area of 900-1700m elevation on the Blue Mountain Range's eastern side of Jamaica Island can be called Blue Mountain Coffee.

Coffee grown between elevations of 450-900 meters is classified as "Jamaica High Mountain," while coffee grown below this range is called "Jamaica Supreme" or "Jamaica Low Mountain."

"Why not grow at higher elevations?" Because areas above 1700 meters are designated as ecological forest protection zones, where law prohibits coffee cultivation. Therefore, only about 25% of Jamaica's coffee beans can bear the name Blue Mountain Coffee.

As the saying goes, rarity creates value. The reputation of Blue Mountain Coffee is substantial, leading to many counterfeits in the market. To help consumers identify authentic Blue Mountain Coffee, the Jamaican government mandates that all exported Blue Mountain Coffee beans must be packed in wooden barrels. Additionally, the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board can issue certificates for all exported Blue Mountain Coffee.

Certificates come in three types:

(1) Quality Certificate issued by the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board
(2) Authorized Sales Certificate issued by Blue Mountain Coffee manufacturers
(3) Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Origin Certificate

Quality certificates indicate date and quantity. The Jamaica Coffee Industry Board randomly selects a package from submitted Blue Mountain Coffee for inspection. If it meets Blue Mountain Coffee criteria, a certificate is issued.

Where to Buy Authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee?

Blue Mountain Coffee is primarily grown in the Blue Mountain Range parishes of Saint Andrew, Saint Thomas, Portland, and Saint Mary. In the Saint Andrew region lies Jamaica's oldest coffee cultivation area—Clifton Mount Estate.

Clifton Mount Estate can be considered the most innovative estate in the entire Blue Mountain region. During the 2019-2020 season, it successively launched natural-processed versions of Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee and Blue Mountain Geisha Coffee. Prior to this, all Blue Mountain Coffee sold externally was wet-processed Typica variety.

Currently, the Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee beans sold by FrontStreet Coffee come from this ancient Blue Mountain coffee source. At FrontStreet Coffee's physical stores, you can view certification certificates issued by Clifton Mount Estate, as well as Blue Mountain Coffee wooden barrels bearing the green frog (Rainforest Alliance certification) logo.

At FrontStreet Coffee's physical stores, you can view certification certificates issued by Clifton Mount Estate, as well as Blue Mountain Coffee wooden barrels bearing the green frog (Rainforest Alliance certification) logo.

To achieve Blue Mountain No. 1 grade, coffee beans must have 96% of coffee cherries sized at 17 screen or above, with a defect rate not exceeding 2% after processing. The uniformity and high quality of coffee particles ensure more even heating during the roasting process, resulting in cleaner, more balanced coffee flavors.

How to Brew Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee for Better Taste?

To preserve the balanced acidity, bitterness, and rich, full-bodied character of Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee uses a medium-dark roast level. Since all shipments consist of freshly roasted coffee beans within 5 days, you need not rush to drink them upon receiving your Blue Mountain Coffee beans. First, allow the beans to rest—giving the coffee beans time to naturally release their internal carbon dioxide.

Seal the coffee beans in their original packaging and wait 5-6 days after the roast date before brewing. The coffee's flavors will perform exceptionally well. Only with fresh roasting and proper bean resting will you achieve better aromatic expression and more stable extraction.

To showcase the rich, balanced characteristics of Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using lower water temperature for extraction, paired with the slower-flowing Kono filter cone, ensuring optimal coffee extraction even at lower water temperatures.

FrontStreet Coffee's brewing recommendations: Kono filter cone, 88°C water temperature, 1:15 coffee-to-water ratio, 15g coffee dose, grind size: sugar granule size (70% pass-through rate on #20 standard sieve).

Extraction method: First pour 30g of water for blooming, with a 30-second bloom time. Second pour to approximately 125g, then wait for the coffee liquid to drop. When it drops to half, pour the final water to reach 225g. End extraction when all coffee has finished dripping. Total extraction time is typically around 2 minutes and 10 seconds.

During the blooming stage of brewing Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee beans, FrontStreet Coffee detects caramel aromas. When tasting, you'll experience rich nutty and dark chocolate flavors, with a full-bodied overall texture and a sweet, clean aftertaste.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473