How Much Does Authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Cost: Are LIMS Blue Mountain Flavor Coffee Beans Real Blue Mountain?

FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Prices and LIMS Blue Mountain Coffee

Jamaica is an island nation in the Caribbean Sea, and the Blue Mountains are the longest mountain range on the island. A scenic trail leads to the highest peak, offering views of both the northern and southern coasts. This beautiful place, with its warm and humid climate, is ideal for growing Arabica coffee beans.

Blue Mountain Coffee Growing Regions

For coffee to be called Blue Mountain Coffee, the beans must be grown between 900 and 1,500 meters above sea level in several administrative regions: Portland, St. Andrew, St. Mary, or St. Thomas, which constitutes Blue Mountain No. 1. The Jamaica Coffee Industry Board has granted Blue Mountain Coffee a globally protected certification mark, thereby protecting the identity of Blue Mountain Coffee.

Other Jamaican Coffee Varieties

In Jamaica, coffee is grown at various altitudes, but nothing is cultivated above 2,000 meters, which is a forest reserve that preserves the island's natural beauty. You might, however, encounter coffee beans grown at altitudes between 450 and 900 meters, known as Jamaica Low Mountain and Jamaica Supreme. These are not considered Blue Mountain Coffee and are not protected by the certification mark.

Grades and Market Availability

Authentic Blue Mountain Coffee has four grades: NO.1, NO.2, NO.3, and PB, where PB stands for Peaberry. It is packaged in traditional wooden barrels of 70 kilograms per barrel and receives a quality certification issued by the Jamaica Coffee Industry Board (CIB). Because production is limited and Japan's investment in Jamaica's coffee industry grants it priority purchasing rights, after Japan buys 90% of the crop the remaining 10% quota is supplied to other countries. The coffee is therefore perpetually in short supply on the international market and commands a high price.

LIMS Blue Mountain Coffee

LIMS Blue Mountain Coffee has a slightly bitter yet sweet taste with a pleasant mouthfeel, not overly sweet or rich but rather light. LIMS is a Malaysian instant coffee brand, and its LIMS Blue Mountain Coffee contains very little authentic Blue Mountain Coffee.

Knowledge Tip

You may find many Blue Mountain flavored coffees on the market, but these are not genuine Blue Mountain Coffee. "Flavored" means coffees from different countries are blended together to imitate the taste of Blue Mountain Coffee, without actually being Blue Mountain.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

For coffee that is genuinely Blue Mountain No.1 rather than a Blue Mountain flavor, FrontStreet Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 comes from Clifton Estate and shows the balance the grade is known for: nuts, dark chocolate, cream, and caramel over a soft, lingering sweetness. Brew it as a pour-over in a Kono dripper with 15g of coffee and a 1:15 ratio. Use 87-88°C water and a medium-coarse grind about the size of white sugar, resting the beans 4-7 days off roast first. Bloom with 30g of water for 30 seconds, pour to 120g, then finish at 225g, for a total extraction of roughly two minutes.