Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee - From Misty Blue Mountains to Your Cup

Jamaica's Blue Mountain range covers the entire eastern portion of the island, a length of 28 miles and an average width of about 12 miles. In less than one hour, it is possible to drive from the coastal plains to elevations surpassing 7,000 feet in altitude. The higher you climb, the mistier the mountains become until you are almost completely shrouded by mists which give Jamaica's highest mountains their world famous bluish color. It can be an almost magical environment where a great variety of flora and fauna abounds.

In the 15Th century, the mountains were heavily forested. Over the centuries, many of the settlers from Spain, Europe and other countries unfortunately cleared much of the land for farming, cattle, timber and other industries. At present, the forest line is around 2,000 feet on the northern slopes and almost 5,000 feet on the southern slopes. This is a great shame and a permanent loss of habitat.

In 1992, fortunately, a 194,000 acre Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountain National Park was established to preserve some of the remaining forests. This park has also protected the island's largest watershed. The park includes only 6% of Jamaica's land mass but it is a very important step in the right direction for the protection of more than 800 species of endemic plants found in Jamaica. One unique plant that grows in this island is the Jamaican bamboo, Chusquea Abietifolia. This bamboo flowers only once every 33 years with the next flowering expected to happen in 2017. What a sight it would be to see this blossom and to be lucky enough to also see fluttering over the bloom an exotic butterfly found only in Jamaica that is the second largest in the world!

Another world renowned product from this island is Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. In 1713, according to local storytellers, the Dutch gave a coffee bush to Louis XV of France. Apparently, this was not a willing gift but one that yielded eventually three plants that the French King sent to the island of Martinique. Two of the plants died during the trip and the third one made it to Jamaica. The story says that then Governor, Sir Nicholas Lawes, planted it at Temple Hall, St Andrew parish. Coffee production quickly expanded from St Andrew to the Blue Mountains and to the hills of other nearby parishes. Jamaica's climate and soil conditions are perfect for coffee cultivation. In less than 100 years, Jamaica boasted more than 600 coffee plantations. Imagine that: all this coffee expansion from just one seedling!

By the 19Th century, Jamaica dominated coffee production in the world. After Emancipation; however, coffee production declined when Jamaica could not compete with larger producing countries such as Brazil and Cuba. Over the years, many changes took place in the trade and the island economy. Fortunately, coffee remained a main crop and the farmers continued cultivating the beans over many generations. The soil in the Blue Mountain region is rich and very suitable for coffee cultivation. The area enjoys high levels of rainfall, cool misty temperatures and excellent drainage. These are ideal coffee cultivation conditions producing very high quality Typica and Caturra variety beans.

The tradition of quality, premium coffee like no other continues in Jamaica today. But, why take my word for it? Go ahead: enjoy a cup of Jamaican Genuine Blue Mountain 'Certified' or Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend!

Timothy ("Tim") S. Collins, the author, is called by those who know him "The Gourmet Coffee Guy." He is an expert in article writing who has done extensive research online and offline in his area of expertise, coffee marketing, as well as in other areas of personal and professional interest.

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