Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is the registered trade description for coffee grown in the Blue Mountains region of Jamaica. It is a wet processed (washed) coffee that is silky smooth and well-balanced, with an excellent full body, a classic and refined mild taste with virtually no bitterness, a slightly (and unusually) sweet flavor. The taste is complex, and often with hints of chocolate.
The Jamaica Blue Mountain trade mark belongs to the government of Jamaica and is regulated by The Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).
All entities that trade in Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, both exporters and foreign importers have to be registered and licensed by JACRA.
Blue Mountain Coffee Growing Regions
These mountains are named for the blue mists that continually shroud them. The mountain ranges across the eastern section of Jamaica, 45 km long and 19 km wide. The Blue Mountains are some of the highest mountains in the Caribbean, rising to 2,260m. The unique Blue Mountain growing region features an ideal coffee-growing terrain and temperate climate – misty and cool with lots of rain, rich soil, and great soil drainage, ideal for growing the world’s finest coffee.
Period of Availability
The Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) crop year runs from August 1st to July 31st, and the peak production period is from November to April. This current crop would be called the 2018/2019 crop year and shipments will be available from June 2019 to September 2019.
All premium grades of JBM – grade #1, grade #2 and peaberry, are shipped in wooden barrels and these are available in three sizes – 70 kg, 30 kg and 15 kg. A 20’ container can hold 132 x 70 kg barrels (9240 kg), but can be loaded with any quantity required. We also ship via air freight for smaller quantities.
About Our Company
Country Traders Limited has been in the coffee business since 1991 and our primary business over the last 27 years has been the roasting and distribution of Jamaica Blue Mountain and other Jamaican coffee in both the local and export markets.
We traditionally bought our green beans from other processors, but took a decision to begin purchasing coffee directly from small and medium size farmers in the 2013/2014 crop year. This was done with the aim to improve the consistency of supply and quality of raw material for our roasting business, and to enable us to become exporters JBM green beans.
We are now a well established buyer in the Blue Mountains and have also acquired a farm in the Silver Hill area, which is in the heart of the Blue Mountain range. We buy coffee from small farmers throughout the Blue Mountains and our focus is to purchase only the best quality. We ensure this by purchasing from farms that adhere to best practices and are located above 1000 meters in the central Blue mountain areas. These higher regions are much cooler and therefore promote the slow growth of the bean, allowing it time to develop a deeper, more intense flavor.
We currently export green beans to most of the traditional markets – Japan, Korea, Taiwan and China.
We will have Jamaica Blue Mountain grade #1 and peaberry available for shipment from June 2019