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What's the Difference Between Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee and Papua New Guinea Typica Coffee?

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Typica is one of the most genetically important Arabica coffee varieties in the world. It is characterized by tall plants, excellent quality, suitability for high-altitude cultivation, and adaptability to cold environments. However, it has relatively low yields and is more vulnerable to coffee leaf rust disease, with poor disease resistance and

Introduction to Typica Variety

Typica is one of the most important Arabica varieties in the world's coffee genetic heritage. Characterized by tall plants with excellent quality, it is suitable for cultivation in high-altitude areas and can adapt to low-temperature environments. However, it has relatively low yields and is comparatively fragile, susceptible to coffee leaf rust disease, with weaker resistance to diseases and pests.

Global Cultivation and FrontStreet Coffee Selection

In the mid-20th century, most coffee estates in Central and South America cultivated Typica varieties. However, due to low yields and susceptibility to diseases and pests, Typica was gradually replaced by some new varieties. Nevertheless, some countries still cultivate Typica varieties, such as Peru, China's Yunnan province, Jamaica, and Papua New Guinea.

On FrontStreet Coffee's bean menu, there are FrontStreet Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, FrontStreet Coffee's Papua Paradise Bird Coffee, and FrontStreet Coffee's 2013 Yunnan Typica Coffee Beans. Among these, FrontStreet Coffee's Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is the most well-known, but coffee produced in Papua also has the title of "Little Blue Mountain." Many people ask about the differences between these two Typica coffee-producing countries.

Coffee comparison between Jamaica and Papua

Historical Development and Cultivation

First, Jamaica has a long history of coffee cultivation with long-term planting of Typica varieties. Through years of careful cultivation in Jamaica, Typica varieties have well-adapted to the local climate and soil and evolved better disease resistance. In 1931, to improve Papua's commercial coffee development, Typica varieties from Jamaica were introduced for cultivation. Due to similar environmental and climate conditions between the two regions, these seeds quickly adapted to the local environment, hence Papua's coffee earned the title of "Little Blue Mountain."

Island Coffee Regions

Both Jamaica and Papua belong to island-type coffee regions. Island-type coffee refers to coffee grown on islands that typically have unique geographical environments and climate conditions, resulting in coffee with distinctive flavors and qualities. Island-type coffee is mainly distributed on some islands in the Caribbean Sea, Pacific Ocean, and Indian Ocean.

Jamaica's Coffee Growing Conditions

Jamaica is located in the northwestern part of the Caribbean Sea. Situated on the circum-Pacific volcanic and seismic belt, it has fertile volcanic soil, fresh and humid climate, with year-round fog and rainfall. Coffee is mainly grown in the Blue Mountain range in the eastern part of the country. However, not all coffee grown in the Blue Mountain range can be called Blue Mountain Coffee. According to strict regulations from the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), only Typica variety coffee grown between elevations of 915-1700 meters in the four parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary can be named Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. Coffee produced in other regions can only be exported as Jamaica High Mountain Coffee and Jamaica Prime Coffee.

Papua's Coffee Growing Conditions

Papua, on the other hand, is an island nation located in the South Pacific, composed of the eastern part of New Guinea Island and more than 600 surrounding small islands. Like Jamaica, it is located on the circum-Pacific volcanic and seismic belt, with numerous tropical rainforests and volcanoes. Coffee is mainly grown in the central part of the country at elevations between 1200-2500 meters. Like Jamaica, it has a standard island-type climate, primarily tropical rainforest climate, but Papua is closer to the equator, resulting in higher temperatures.

Coffee Grading Systems

Therefore, the growing environments of these two countries are very similar, though there are differences upon closer examination. Additionally, Papua's coffee grading system is not as detailed as Jamaica's. Papua's coffee grading is mainly calculated based on the defect rate per kilogram of raw beans, with some large estates adding standards such as screen size, appearance, and cupping flavor. Currently, the FrontStreet Coffee Papua Coffee Beans in FrontStreet Coffee's collection are AA grade from Sigri Estate, washed processed. After brewing, it presents caramel, cocoa, and almond flavors, with slight acidity at low temperatures, rich mouthfeel, and overall balance.

Jamaica's Strict Quality Standards

Jamaica has relatively rigorous standards for exported Blue Mountain Coffee. All exported coffee must pass JACRA's quality inspection and is graded according to raw bean specifications, defect rates, cupping flavors, and other items. Blue Mountain Coffee is divided into four grades: No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and manually selected PB. Only those meeting standards can become top-grade Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 Coffee. Such high-quality standards, combined with historical reasons and geographical environment, have created such excellent Blue Mountain Coffee.

Flavor Comparison and Conclusion

FrontStreet Coffee's FrontStreet Blue Mountain No. 1 comes from Clifton Estate in the St. Andrew region, also washed processed. After brewing, it presents dark chocolate, nut, and caramel flavors, with a creamy silky mouthfeel, moderate body, sweet aftertaste, and overall uniformity and balance. In fact, the flavor profiles of these two coffee beans are very similar, but upon careful differentiation, there are certain distinctions. FrontStreet Coffee's Papua variety has slight acidity, while FrontStreet Coffee's Blue Mountain Coffee is richer, with a smoother mouthfeel and overall better balance.