Why is Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee So Expensive? Introduction to Clifton Estate Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee

Why is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee So Expensive?

In the last century, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee was highly sought after in the coffee market for its limited production, exceptional quality, and outstanding aroma, earning it the title "King of Coffee." Consequently, Blue Mountain Coffee has always been associated with premium pricing. Why is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee so expensive? According to FrontStreet Coffee, this is related to local historical factors, geographical environment, and the country's standards for high-quality coffee.

Jamaica is an island nation that began introducing coffee cultivation as early as the 18th century. The coffee industry developed rapidly, and at its peak, Jamaica had over 600 coffee plantations with exceptional quality that was deeply loved by coffee consumers worldwide.

However, this prosperity didn't last long. At the end of the 20th century, the entire island of Jamaica was struck by hurricanes, causing severe damage. Both coffee and other crops were destroyed, leading to the decline of the coffee industry. Meanwhile, Japan's economy was booming during this period, and there was a strong appreciation for Blue Mountain Coffee. Consequently, several Japanese trading companies (including the well-known UCC Ueshima Coffee Co.) jointly provided loans to some coffee plantations in the Blue Mountain region, helping Jamaica overcome these difficulties.

As a result, the Jamaican government signed a 30-year contract with Japan, supplying 90% of Blue Mountain Coffee's quota to Japan, with the remainder going to countries in Europe and America. After Japan's monopoly, through marketing and promotion, they sparked a "Blue Mountain craze," and many neighboring countries of Japan also began to pursue Blue Mountain Coffee. The already limited production combined with Japan's successful marketing caused prices to rise accordingly. However, the contract between Jamaica and Japan has now expired, and Blue Mountain Coffee is also being sold to other countries, making it more commonly available domestically.

Unique Geographical Environment

This also benefits from the country's unique geographical environment. The Blue Mountain region of Jamaica has multiple mountain ranges situated on the Pacific Ring of Fire's volcanic and seismic belt, featuring fertile volcanic soil. The climate here is humid and rainy with year-round fog, making it extremely suitable for cultivating coffee and other crops.

However, not all coffee trees grown in the entire Blue Mountain region can be called Blue Mountain Coffee. The Jamaican Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) has strict regulations: only Typica variety coffee grown in four parishes—St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary—at altitudes between 915-1700 meters can be named Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. Coffee produced in other regions can only be exported as Jamaican High Mountain Coffee or Jamaica Prime Coffee.

Due to the limited area, production is not high. Additionally, the high altitude makes cultivation management and harvesting more challenging. The harvesting process is almost entirely completed by local experienced female workers who select appropriately ripe coffee beans. In subsequent processing stages, dedicated personnel supervise quality, using strict production processes to ensure the coffee's high quality, which naturally results in higher prices.

Strict Quality Standards

Furthermore, JACRA grades coffee based on specifications, defect rates, cupping quality, and other factors. Blue Mountain Coffee is divided into four grades: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and PB (Peaberry), which is manually selected. All exports must pass JACRA's quality inspection. A 300g sample of green beans is taken, and for it to be considered top-grade Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee, 96% of the beans must be between 17-18 mesh size, with a defect rate below 2%, moisture content around 10-12.5%, and cupping quality must meet standards.

To ensure coffee bean quality, Jamaica also insists on using traditional wooden barrels for packaging and transporting high-quality Blue Mountain Coffee, available in 70kg, 30kg, and 15kg specifications. The rest are shipped in 60kg burlap bags.

FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain Selection

Currently, FrontStreet Coffee uses Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee from the Clifton Mountain Estate in the St. Andrew region, processed using the washed method. When brewed, it presents flavors of dark chocolate, nuts, and caramel, with a creamy smooth mouthfeel, moderate body, and a sweet aftertaste. The overall profile is remarkably uniform and balanced.

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