The History and Tradition of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee

Nothing makes you happier than having a good cup of coffee. Even among specialty coffees, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is the best. Known for its smooth, rich flavor and delicate balance, it’s the kind of coffee that makes your day. But the process that it takes to get it done is not easy. It’s intensive labor, and that’s why Jamaican coffee is so loved around the world.

We travel to Jamaica regularly to work with farmers and chief coffee roasters, and in every visit, we’re reminded of the passion these people have for what they do. Their love for making this incredible coffee, and the care they put into every step, is what makes it one of the best coffees in the world today. It’s a Jamaican tradition that we’re proud to share with you in every cup.

What is the history of Blue Mountain coffee?

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee has a rich history that stretches back hundreds of years. It all began in 1723, when King Louis XV of France sent three coffee plants to Martinique. Only one plant survived the journey, and in 1728, Sir Nicholas Lawes, Jamaica’s former governor, brought this resilient plant to the island. 

No one could have guessed that this one plant would turn into the foundation of the celebrated Jamaican coffee industry.

The Blue Mountains, known for their cool weather, misty atmosphere, and fertile volcanic soil, proved to be an ideal place for growing coffee. As time went on, the beans grown here created a unique and well-rounded flavor that made Jamaican coffee among the top specialty coffees today.

As production increased, Jamaica emerged as a top coffee exporter during the 18th century. By the late 1800s, Blue Mountain coffee became famous around the world for its amazing quality and flavor.

Even though there have been challenging times like natural disasters and competition from around the world, Blue Mountain coffee is still on the shelves of most coffee enthusiasts.

Where did Blue Mountain coffee come from?

Blue Mountain Coffee comes from the beautiful Blue Mountain region in Jamaica, where the mountains soar over 7,000 feet high. We've been to a number of farms and sat down with farmers, chief coffee roasters, and master brewers.

They all share an incredible passion and respect for the Jamaican coffee-making tradition, a practice that has been handed down for over 100 years.

Even as the world changes and modern Jamaican coffee-processing relies on machines, the traditional methods of producing Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee still remains. There are still farmers, roasters, and brewers who continue the legacy, and follow the practices passed down through generations, keeping the traditional farming methods of JBM coffee alive.

Traditional Farming Methods of JBM Coffee

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee begins its journey in the lush, fertile Blue Mountains. The cool temperatures and misty mornings of the Blue Mountains create the perfect environment for coffee trees to thrive.

The beans are carefully tended to by hand, ensuring that only the finest quality is produced. The growing process is meticulous, with the beans taking their time to develop a full, rich flavor that sets Blue Mountain Coffee apart from others.

In fact, there are two coffee crops a year. The first harvest begins in January, lasting through to June, with a break in the summer months. Then, come September, the second crop is ready to be harvested. The climate here plays a huge role in the flavor, as the temperature needs to be just right. Not too hot, not too cold. The perfect temperature that lets the beans develop their full flavor.

Blue Mountain coffee farms typically have around 3,000 to 4,000 coffee trees, and they’re always growing and experimenting to make better coffee. While they’re not scientists, their passion and years of experience are more than enough to produce the best coffee in the world.

Hand-Picking Jamaica Blue Mountain Beans

Harvesting is just as important and careful as growing the coffee. When the coffee cherries ripen, they turn a deep red, letting the farmers know they’re ready to be picked.

Farmers stand in the fields with a bucket or sack tied around their waists, picking the red cherries and dropping them right into the bucket. The farmers hand-pick the cherries, making sure that the little stems remain on the branch, as this helps the plant bear more fruit in the future.

Wet Processing 

After they’re picked, the beans are separated from their skins and pulp, revealing a sweet nectar that doesn’t yet resemble the coffee we know. At this stage, the beans are getting cleaned up, with all that sweet goo washed off to get rid of the stickiness, so they're all set for processing.

Once the beans are washed, they’re spread out in the sun to dry for about four to six weeks. While they’re drying, the beans are still in their shells, kind of like peanuts, and need to be separated. For this, the farmers use a traditional method: the mortar and pestle. The mortar is a hollowed-out cedar trunk, and the pestle is made from pimento wood. This tool has been passed down through generations.

The beans are placed into the mortar and pounded to remove the outer shell, revealing the raw coffee beans inside. At this point, the beans don’t smell like coffee yet. They’re in their rawest form, but it’s the first step in turning them into the champagne of coffees, a name given to Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee because of its exceptional quality.

Roasting

Now comes the part where the beans turn into one of the best-tasting coffees. The raw beans are roasted in a heated pot, usually over a wood fire. The fire gets its fuel from coffee sticks and pimento wood, which give the coffee a unique sweetness. Roasting is all done by hand, and the beans are stirred continuously for 45 minutes to 1 hour. This keeps every part of the bean touching the pot so it absorbs all that flavor while making sure nothing burns.

If the beans roast for too long, they can get bitter. The chief coffee roaster stays fully engaged in the process, carefully watching and stirring the beans, feeling for the right texture, and waiting for the beans to make a popping sound.

That popcorn-like sound means the roast has reached the flavor that JBM coffee is famous for. The end result is a batch of coffee that’s rich in flavor, smooth, and aromatic, with just the right balance of sweetness that makes Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee stand out.

Grinding and Brewing

Everything, from start to finish, is done by hand. There are no heavy machines or big tools involved in this process. Once the beans are roasted, the next step is grinding. They use an old-fashioned grinder, and when those beans start grinding, the aroma fills the air. It’s the kind of smell people say is the best thing to wake up to in the morning. The grinding itself is a bit of a workout, but the scent that comes from it? Absolutely incredible.

Blue Mountain coffee is brewed with a lot of care. It's a skill that's been honed over generations. Bringing the water and coffee to a boil is the first step. To achieve the ideal brew, master brewers add cold water after it reaches boiling point; this will settle the coffee.

To get the full flavor, the master brewers use the right amount of coffee. The coffee, once brewed, has a robust flavor without being bitter. It’s a cup of coffee that shows the care, passion, and tradition behind it.

Experience Traditional Jamaican Coffee at Home, Buy Real Blue Mountain Coffee

Not much has changed over the years. Every cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is still made with love and care. In a world of mass-produced coffee, Blue Mountain takes a different path. Grown slow, roasted slow, and shared with anyone who appreciates something real. It’s not just coffee, it’s a craft and a tradition.

The Blue Mountain region is the perfect place for coffee to thrive. So when you taste coffee from Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, you’re not just enjoying a drink. You’re experiencing a time-honored tradition that’s been perfected over generations.

At Genuine Blue Mountain Coffee, we’ve traveled to Jamaica to bring you the finest coffee, sourced directly from farmers. We’re proud to offer the real deal. No blends or imitations. 

Buy Real Blue Mountain Coffee today from our website or Amazon store!

FAQs

Which brand of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is best?

The best brand of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is Genuine Blue Mountain Coffee from Allen’s Trading Company. They constantly visit JBM coffee farms and talk to farmers to ensure they are selling the highest quality of Jamaican coffee.

Every order of their green beans and medium-roasted JBM coffee is grown, harvested, and inspected by coffee farms that have been passed down through generations.

How to tell if Blue Mountain coffee is real?

To tell if you’re buying the real Blue Mountain coffee, look for the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA) certification mark.

Genuine Blue Mountain Coffee is registered with the JACRA and can provide certificates of authenticity for every shipment.