About Jamaica Blue Mountain Juniper Peak
Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee has long held a reputation as being one of the world's best coffees and certainly one of its most expensive; whether deserving or not is of much conjecture. Perhaps twenty five or more years ago this may have been true, but today, with artisanal crops being grown in several parts of the world, it is certainly not alone. In September 1988 Hurricane Gilbert wreaked havoc on Jamaica, its people and its coffee industry, destroying 70 percent of the trees there. The hurricane, one of the most intense ever recorded, became a category 5 storm as it passed over the island. Winds were in excess of 155 mph and the mountains had 27 inches of rainfall. That singular weather event essentially ended quality coffee production which took nearly two decades to fully recover.
We have not purchased this coffee in the most recent couple of years. Weather last year virtually eliminated output and this year's crop, while still small, is of high quality.
- Country: Jamaica
- Farm: Clifton Mount Estate
- Microlot: Juniper Peak
- Region: Newcastle, St. Andrew Parish
- Varietal: Typica
- Grade: 1
- Processing: Fully washed, traditional fermentation
- Drying: Patio, 100% sun dried
- Altitude: 4300 average
All growing and processing is done on the plantation. The estate's wetmill was designed to minimize water usage.
Cup Characteristics: Classic Jamaica Blue cup. Smooth, sweet and very clean. Full body, very well balanced, delicate. Signature, naturally smoky note with flavors of chocolate and honey. Floral, hint of rosewater, mildly acidic. Long, dry white wine finish.
Roasting Notes: We found roasting this coffee to at least City+, approaching, but not expanding into second crack, brought out the velvety mouthfeel. If roasting on a Behmor, you might like P2, B as a suggestion.
Jamaica coffee facts:
Population (2011): 2,825,000
Coffee Production: 40,000 bags (60 kg), one of the smallest in the world. 85% goes to Japan, 5%USA, 5% Europe, 5% all other countries.
Regulation: All coffee production is licensed by the Coffee Board of Jamaica.
Employs: 90,000 persons including 9,500 registered farmers.
Country bag capacity: Jamaica Blue in wooden barrels up to 70kg
Domestic Consumption: 10,000 bags
Coffee Export: 30,000 bags
Area of coffee cultivation: 28,000 acres of which Blue Mountain is 9,000.
Harvests: June - July in the Blue Mountains.
Arabica Introduced: Introduced in the early 18th century. First coffee dates to 1728.
Specialty Coffee Regions: Chamchamayo Valley in the center of the country.
Grades: 1 (screen 17/18 with least defects), 2, 3, PB, other lesser grades.
Botanical Varietals: Typica, almost exclusively.

Comments
One of the world's best and most expensive coffees. But, the country has been beset with harsh hurricanes about once each seven years that generally inflict crop damage. The Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica has protected the designated Blue Mountain trademark and its appellation since 1953, to insure that quality standards are upheld and that coffee sold under its name is certified and not counterfeit. When everything lines up, JBM is a world class coffee.