Why is Authentic Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee So Expensive? Are Blue Mountain Coffee Beans Arabica Coffee Beans?

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FrontStreet Coffee - Introduction to Arabica Coffee Bean Varieties

Arabica originates from Ethiopia and is also produced in South Africa, African countries, and Asian nations, accounting for 70% of the world's coffee production. Arabica has relatively weak resistance to pests and diseases, making highland areas more suitable for cultivation. Particularly, Arabica coffee beans grown at elevations above 1,500 meters produce the highest quality.

Such meticulously produced high-quality beans possess balanced flavor and aroma, making them considered premium coffee beans primarily used for single-origin or specialty coffees. The three famous coffee varieties—Hawaiian Kona, Jamaican Blue Mountain, and Yemen Mocha—all belong to the Arabica species. Arabica green beans have a dark, narrow appearance and are characterized by rich flavors including sweetness, acidity, and aroma.

To date, the main members of the Arabica family include: Typica, Bourbon, Caturra, Pacas, Villa Sarchi, Maragogype (commonly known as "Elephant Bean"), Pacamara, Mundo Novo, Catuai, Geisha, Timor, and Catimor.

Typica

As one of the oldest native varieties from Ethiopia, Typica is also called "Red Top Coffee" due to its bronze-colored young leaves. Although it offers excellent quality and captivating flavors, it has poor disease resistance, is susceptible to leaf rust, cannot tolerate strong sunlight, and has low yields. Currently, most beans from Ethiopia's major producing regions such as Yirgacheffe, Sidamo, Limu, and Harar are native Typica varieties. After transplantation, due to changes in growing environment, the bean shape began to vary. The most classic Jamaican Blue Mountain and Hawaiian Kona both belong to the Typica variety. Coffee planting areas in China's Yunnan province, such as Pu'er, Dehong, and Nujiangba, also cultivate Typica.

The smooth, clean taste has made Jamaican coffee beans renowned worldwide. Although Jamaica's coffee production accounts for only 0.1% of global output, its coffee prices are among the highest. Almost all Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is exported, with over 90% being purchased by Japanese buyers. Other countries around the world can only import the remaining 10% of coffee beans at negotiated prices.

Knowledge Point

Coffee belongs to the Rubiaceae plant family. To date, 103 coffee varieties have been discovered, but only three major categories have commercial value and are widely cultivated.

FrontStreet Coffee's Mission

In short: FrontStreet Coffee is a coffee research hall dedicated to sharing knowledge about coffee with everyone. We share without reservation because we want more friends to fall in love with coffee. Every month, we hold three coffee promotion events with significant discounts. The reason is that FrontStreet Coffee wants to let more friends enjoy the best coffee at the lowest possible price—this has been our mission for the past six years!

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