Which is Better: Mandheling or Blue Mountain Pour-Over Coffee? Is There a Proper Way to Drink Mandheling Coffee?

While fresh and light coffee has its appeal, rich and mellow brews also command a substantial following. Today's premium coffees are often Panama Geisha varieties, whereas previously, the definition of premium coffee followed Japanese standards, characterized by richness and smoothness. Consequently, Blue Mountain coffee and Mandheling coffee became synonymous with premium coffee.

This naturally sparks curiosity: if both represent richness and mellow character, what distinguishes Blue Mountain coffee from Mandheling coffee? Those who have purchased both Blue Mountain and Mandheling coffee beans may have noticed that Blue Mountain coffee typically commands a significantly higher price. Does this mean one is superior to the other? Next, FrontStreet Coffee will introduce the differences between these two coffee beans one by one.

Blue Mountain Coffee

Blue Mountain coffee beans originate from the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica. As single-origin coffee beans, those grown in different regions exhibit distinct flavor profiles. The Blue Mountains, where Blue Mountain coffee is cultivated, are located in eastern Jamaica. Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, on clear sunny days, the sun's rays reflect directly off the azure sea surface, creating a brilliant blue glow on the Blue Mountain peaks—hence the range's name. The Blue Mountain coffee-growing region benefits from fertile volcanic soil, fresh air, humid climate, and year-round mist and rain, creating the world-renowned Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.

Blue Mountain coffee beans are of the Typica variety. Typica was smuggled by a French naval officer and escorted to Martinique, subsequently flourishing throughout Central and South America. Jamaica's coffee cultivation history dates back to the 18th century: in 1717, French King Louis XV ordered coffee cultivation in Jamaica; in the mid-1720s, Jamaica's governor introduced Arabica seeds from Martinique and began promoting cultivation in the St. Andrew region.

Although the Blue Mountains reach heights exceeding 2,100 meters, not all coffee beans grown in the Blue Mountain region can be called Blue Mountain coffee. Jamaican coffee beans are classified into three main categories based on cultivation altitude: Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, Jamaican High Mountain Coffee, and Jamaican Coffee.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee: According to CIB standards, only Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee grown at altitudes between 1,000 and 1,700 meters can be called Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans. This grade of Blue Mountain coffee beans is further classified by quality and bean size into four quality levels: No.1, No.2, No.3, and PB. Among these, Blue Mountain No.1 represents the highest grade, with bean sizes of 17/18 screen, defective bean ratio not exceeding 2%, harmonious flavor, balanced acidity and bitterness, rich and mellow characteristics—recognized worldwide as an exceptional product. Such high standards are clearly reflected in FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee pricing.

Jamaican High Mountain Coffee: Coffee beans grown at altitudes of 500 to 1,000 meters in the Jamaican Blue Mountain region are called High Mountain Coffee, with quality second only to Blue Mountain coffee. Due to the scarce production of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, Jamaican High Mountain Coffee is an excellent alternative for experiencing Jamaican coffee flavors.

Jamaican Coffee: Coffee grown outside the Blue Mountain region is called Jamaican Coffee, cultivated at altitudes below 500 meters.

As such a classic premium coffee, Jamaican Blue Mountain naturally occupies a small position on FrontStreet Coffee's menu of nearly fifty coffee bean varieties. FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee beans are Blue Mountain No.1 grade—large, uniform beans with aromatic fragrance, clean and mellow mouthfeel, and balanced acidity and bitterness.

FrontStreet Coffee Jamaican Blue Mountain No.1 Coffee Beans

Region: Jamaican Blue Mountains

Farm: Clifton

Altitude: 1,310 meters

Variety: Typica

Grade: No.1

Processing Method: Washed

Due to some merchants confusing "Blue Mountain coffee," "Blue Mountain flavor," and "Blue Mountain blend," labeling similar-flavored coffee beans with "Blue Mountain" branding for sale. Many customers worry about purchasing authentic Blue Mountain coffee.

However, those who purchase Blue Mountain coffee beans from FrontStreet Coffee can rest assured. Authentic Blue Mountain coffee beans come with certificates issued by the Jamaican Coffee Board, certificates of origin for Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, authorized sales certificates from Blue Mountain coffee producers, and wooden barrels bearing the Blue Mountain coffee emblem. FrontStreet Coffee's stores display relevant certificates, and interested customers are welcome to visit our stores to verify them.

Mandheling

Mandheling coffee beans originate from the Sumatra region of Indonesia. The name "Mandheling" resulted from a double misunderstanding. Due to its rich character, Mandheling became popular in the Japanese coffee market.

When discussing Mandheling coffee beans, what most people commonly hear about is perhaps Golden Mandheling coffee. However, "Golden Mandheling" has long been registered as a trademark by Indonesia's PWN company. This means only Golden Mandheling from PWN company is truly Golden Mandheling in the authentic sense.

FrontStreet Coffee has acquired several coffee beans labeled "Golden Mandheling," and after blind tasting, FrontStreet Coffee's baristas could accurately identify PWN's Golden Mandheling. This is because the cleanliness of PWN Golden Mandheling is incomparable.

FrontStreet Coffee Indonesian Golden Mandheling Coffee Beans

Region: North Sumatra, Indonesia

Company: PWN

Grade: G1

Altitude: 1,100-1,600 meters

Variety: Ateng

Processing Method: Wet-hulled

The exceptionally clean taste of PWN Golden Mandheling is attributed to PWN company's extremely high production standards. Bean size of 18 screen or above with fewer than 3 defective beans per 300-gram sample of green beans qualifies for the highest G1 grade, with coffee beans showing dark green color and uniform, regular shape. PWN's Golden Mandheling undergoes three rounds of manual selection on this basis, ensuring complete removal of defective beans. Through such rigorous screening, Golden Mandheling lacks the earthy impurities of regular Mandheling, offering a clean, bright entrance with more intense sweetness.

The superior quality of PWN Golden Mandheling coffee beans has led some unscrupulous merchants to use regular Mandheling processed with the same screening standards as a substitute for Golden Mandheling. To verify whether your purchased beans are the coveted PWN Golden Mandheling, you can request the merchant provide the PWN Golden Mandheling green bean gunny sack and certificate of origin issued by PWN company. FrontStreet Coffee's store walls display the aforementioned certificates, and interested customers are welcome to visit and examine them.

Many coffee enthusiasts who have tasted FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain and Mandheling at our stores ask our baristas how to brew them to fully extract the coffee beans' flavors. In fact, the finest ingredients often require only the simplest preparation. FrontStreet Coffee follows this philosophy when brewing coffee, with specific brewing parameters as follows:

Filter: KONO filter

Water Temperature: 88°C

Dose: 15 grams

Coffee-to-Water Ratio: 1:15

Grind Size: 70% pass-through rate on China standard #20 sieve

Since both Mandheling and Blue Mountain coffee beans are dark roasted, to brew a rich, smooth cup of coffee, FrontStreet Coffee recommends using filters with immersion functionality, such as the KONO filter. Due to the dark roast degree, coffee compounds extract easily during brewing, so FrontStreet Coffee chooses a grind size with 70% pass-through rate and uses 88°C water temperature to avoid extracting bitter, burnt flavors.

First pour 30 grams of hot water for a 30-second bloom, then pour in a slow, fine stream from the center, spiraling outward to 125 grams. Wait until the water level in the filter drops to just above the coffee bed, then continue spiraling to 225 grams. Total extraction time is approximately 2 minutes.

When customers place orders, FrontStreet Coffee ships coffee beans roasted within 5 days. Upon arrival, the beans have already undergone a 4-7 day degassing period, reaching their peak flavor. This is the ideal time for brewing, and FrontStreet Coffee recommends a 30-second bloom to fully release carbon dioxide from the coffee particles, ensuring more stable flavor extraction in the later stages.

Additionally, some customers may not have grinding equipment at home, while FrontStreet Coffee provides grinding services. However, once coffee beans are ground into powder, degassing occurs more rapidly, and aromatic compounds dissipate faster. Therefore, FrontStreet Coffee recommends grinding fresh before brewing to better experience the coffee's flavors.

A delicious cup of Blue Mountain coffee exhibits balanced acidity and bitterness, with neither aspect overpowering or lacking. FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee presents balanced acidity and bitterness, with rich nutty and chocolate notes, and a mellow, smooth mouthfeel. In comparison, FrontStreet Coffee's PWN Golden Mandheling offers sweet herbal notes and cinnamon-like spice aromatics, rich and full-bodied with caramel sweetness. As the temperature slightly decreases, herbal fragrances and subtle spice notes emerge, with the aroma carrying strong cantaloupe notes.

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Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473