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What is the Frog Emblem on Blue Mountain Coffee Barrels Is Blue Mountain Coffee Rainforest Alliance Certified

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, When first visiting FrontStreet Coffee, my introduction to coffee began with their entry-level beans, such as the acidity of Yirgacheffe, the nutty notes of Brazil and Colombian Huilan, the herbal qualities of Mandheling, and the tea-like character of Yunnan small beans. At the FrontStreet Coffee roastery one morning, the roaster prepared a pot for the FrontStreet Coffee manager

My First Encounter with FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain

When first coming to FrontStreet Coffee, and initially starting to understand coffee, I began with FrontStreet Coffee's entry-level daily beans, such as the acidity of FrontStreet Coffee's Yirgacheffe, the nutty notes of FrontStreet Coffee's Brazil and FrontStreet Coffee's Colombia Huilan, the herbal notes of FrontStreet Coffee's Mandheling, and the tea-like sensation of FrontStreet Coffee's Yunnan Xiaoli.

At the FrontStreet Coffee roastery one morning, the roaster brewed a pot of coffee for the owner of FrontStreet Coffee, and I was fortunate to have a cup. At that time, not knowing much about coffee, I found it exceptionally delicious. I could only describe it as "stunning." Since it was entry-level at the time, it's not an exaggeration to say I was at a loss for words. However, it was precisely this small episode that made me fall in love with it at first taste. Yes, what I'm talking about today is FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee.

The Reputation of FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain

Coffee drinkers certainly know about FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee. Many people who have never drunk coffee have definitely heard of the renowned "Blue Mountain Coffee." Do you know why FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee is famous? FrontStreet Coffee is here today to introduce this precious coffee to everyone.

The growing region of FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee has fertile volcanic soil, providing a rich material foundation for coffee tree growth. Clifton Estate is the only one in the Blue Mountain growing area with Rainforest Alliance certification.

Rainforest Alliance Certification

The Rainforest Alliance certification logo features a prominent frog. Rainforest Alliance certified coffee is also commonly known as "frog beans." Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification refers to farms that meet the standards established by the Rainforest Alliance. The Alliance protects the farm and its surrounding ecosystem, restricts pesticide use, and evaluates benchmarks such as waste management. Only coffee that passes assessment and certification can be called "Rainforest Alliance certified coffee." The traditional cultivation method of growing under native forest shade is beneficial to ecosystem protection. Part of the Alliance's revenue is also used for wildlife protection in tropical rainforest conservation areas and improving the living conditions of workers.

What Defines Blue Mountain Coffee?

The definition of Blue Mountain Coffee is very strict. Just as wine is distinguished by estate or variety, only one region in all of Jamaica can produce coffee that bears this name.

The legal growing region for Blue Mountain Coffee is on the eastern side of Jamaica Island. Only coffee grown at an altitude between 1000-1600 meters and planted in the Saint Andrew, Saint Thomas, Portland, and Saint Mary districts can be called Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. You might wonder why they don't grow at higher elevations—because areas above 1700 meters are the country's ecological forest protection zones, where laws prohibit coffee cultivation.

Coffee grown at altitudes between 450-900 meters is called "Jamaica High Mountain," while those grown below this range are called "Jamaica Supreme" or "Jamaica Low Mountain." Only about 25% of all coffee beans in Jamaica can bear the name Blue Mountain Coffee.

Unique Barrel Packaging

Blue Mountain Coffee's packaging is quite special—it's one of the few growing regions in the world that still uses wooden barrels. The barrels are stamped with approved official seals, and the material has undergone special treatment to ensure proper dryness, prevent compression, and remain odor-free. Wooden barrels guarantee the quality of raw coffee beans during transportation. From production costs to shipping costs and storage quality, they represent a premium selection. Currently, the coffee beans we're familiar with use cheaper, mass-produced burlap bags. While there's nothing wrong with burlap bags, when Blue Mountain coffee beans arrive in wooden barrels, the satisfaction after anticipation is quite sweet. This labor-intensive and time-consuming packaging method illustrates the esteemed position of Blue Mountain coffee beans in people's minds.

Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is graded into four levels, from No.1 to No.3, and finally PB (Peaberry). The highest grade, FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain No.1, consists of beans above 17 screen size, with a defect rate below 3% and moisture content around 13%.

What Makes FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain Special?

Even if you haven't tried FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee, you've surely heard of its precious reputation.

FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain coffee enjoys this royal treatment due to its outstanding aroma and sweetness characteristics. The coffee produced in this region has a fresh and unique flavor profile. First, there's a smooth and mellow mouthfeel that lingers after swallowing. Next, there's an elegant and mature aroma with a hint of woody aftertaste. The balanced distribution of sour, sweet, and bitter notes enhances the layers of flavor when tasting. It's not overpowering yet leaves a memorable fragrance in the mouth. Blue Mountain encompasses all the qualities of good coffee, which is why it has always been so popular.

Additionally, because the legal growing region for Blue Mountain Coffee is very small, with a total area not exceeding 6,100 hectares, this naturally leads to limited production. Coupled with steep mountain terrain, all coffee beans must be hand-picked by skilled local farmers, which also adds considerable cost.

The final factor returns to historical context.

Jamaica's coffee industry once experienced a downturn with inconsistent quality. It wasn't until the 1980s when Japan invested and introduced ecological cultivation methods and quality control processing that Blue Mountain became synonymous with world-renowned specialty coffee beans. The trade friendship between the two countries gave Japan priority purchasing rights, leaving only 10% of the total available to other regions worldwide.

Therefore, whether you can enjoy authentic Blue Mountain coffee depends on both luck and financial means. Scarcity creates value, and excellent quality combined with rarity makes every batch a precious commodity. At FrontStreet Coffee, you can enjoy authentic Blue Mountain coffee, and it's not prohibitively expensive. After obtaining the raw coffee beans, the most crucial roasting process must still be completed. For quality beans, roasting excellence absolutely amplifies their advantages. If you have the opportunity to drink a cup of authentic FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain No.1, it would surely be a truly enjoyable experience.