Blue Mountain Coffee Origins in Jamaica: Understanding the Roast Requirements for Pour-Over Brewing

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FrontStreet Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and Pour-over Coffee Roasting Degrees Introduction

The Blue Mountains are located in the eastern part of Jamaica Island. The mountain range that runs through Jamaica extends all the way to the eastern part of the small island. The highest peak of the Blue Mountains reaches 2,256 meters, making it the highest peak in the Caribbean region. Surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, whenever the weather is clear, the sun shines directly on the azure sea surface, and the peaks reflect the brilliant blue light of the seawater, hence the name Blue Mountain. This area has fertile volcanic soil, fresh air, cool climate, year-round fog, average precipitation of 1,980 millimeters, and temperatures around 27 degrees Celsius. It also happens to be located within the latitude of the coffee growing zone, making it simply a paradise for coffee growth.

Jamaica began large-scale coffee cultivation along the Blue Mountains, but not all coffee grown in the Blue Mountains is called Blue Mountain Coffee. Subject to the dual constraints of altitude and breadth, Blue Mountain Coffee must be grown at an altitude of 910-1,700 meters. Coffee crops at altitudes of 460-910 meters are called "Jamaica High Mountain Coffee," while those below 460 meters are called "Jamaica Low Mountain Coffee." Coffee grown in areas outside the Blue Mountains is called Jamaica Coffee.

Blue Mountain Coffee is almost entirely processed using the washed method. The hulled coffee beans are fermented in clean water for 12-18 hours to remove the mucilage. After fermentation is complete, they undergo repeated washing and screening, then are dried with parchment on concrete floors or thick blankets until the coffee bean moisture content drops to 10%-12%. They are then packed in special oak barrels and stored in temperature and humidity-controlled warehouses. This truly realizes the definition of specialty coffee by Erna Knutsen, the mother of specialty coffee: carefully selecting the most suitable varieties and planting them in the most conducive climate, altitude, and soil environment for coffee flavor development.

Brewing techniques and parameters might be a bit confusing for many new coffee enthusiasts, so coffee beginners should first understand what roasting degree the beans they have in hand are. Then adjust the brewing parameters according to the flavors that the beans in hand are intended to express.

Common Pour-over Coffee Roasting Degrees

Light Roast/Cinnamon Roast

Drop time: From the beginning of first crack to when it becomes dense

Flavor: The bean surface appears cinnamon-colored. At this time, the grassy taste has been removed, with strong acidity and a slight aroma, often used for brewing American coffee. The beans are slightly hard with higher acidity.

Medium Roast

Drop time: From dense first crack to the end of first crack

Flavor: The bean surface appears chestnut-colored, with light taste,偏向酸带苦 (leaning toward sour with bitterness), moderate aroma, preserving the original flavor of coffee beans, often used for American coffee or blended coffee.

Medium-Dark Roast/High Roast

Drop time: End of first crack

Flavor: The bean surface appears light reddish-brown, with refreshing and rich taste, balanced acidity and bitterness without being harsh, and with a slight sweetness. Both aroma and flavor are excellent. FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain Coffee and FrontStreet Coffee's Tanzania Kilimanjaro Coffee are both suitable for this roasting degree.

Dark-Medium Roast/City Roast

Drop time: After first crack, between first and second crack

Flavor: The bean surface appears light brown, with bright and lively taste, balanced between acidity and bitterness with the acidity being lighter, and it releases the high-quality flavors in coffee. This is the standard roasting degree and also the most popular roasting degree among the public.

Knowledge Extension

Abundant precipitation, local fertile volcanic soil, and suitable temperatures have created Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee's mild, clean taste, as well as rich and lasting aftertaste.

In Summary

FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall, happy to share coffee knowledge with everyone. Our unreserved sharing is only to let more friends fall in love with coffee. Moreover, there are three low-discount coffee activities every month. The reason is that FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends drink the best coffee at the lowest price. This has also been FrontStreet Coffee's principle for the past 6 years!

Important Notice :

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