The Blue Mountain Coffee and its brief history. - Business

Before delving into the history and lore of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, we need to review the main types of coffee, which are predominantly either Robusta or Arabica varieties. The difference stems from the type of coffee plant. Robusta coffees are easier to cultivate - and its production exceeds that of Arabica coffees -- but are less flavourful and less consistent in quality. Accordingly, Robusta coffees are considerably less expensive. Most of the national coffee blends available through retailers and supermarkets are Robusta coffees. Arabica coffees, on the other hand, are well known for consistent quality, bold flavour, and intense aroma. Premium coffees marketed as single origin coffees - Kenyan, Costa Rican, Sumatran, for example - are almost universally of the Arabica variety. And of course, Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is all from the Arabica coffee type.

Coffee was introduced in Jamaica in 1728 when Sir Nicholas Lawes, who is then the Governor of Jamaica, brought in Arabica seedlings originated from the Island of Martinique. It was soon discovered that this country was suitable for the coffee cultivation and soon nine years after about 83,000 lbs. of this coffee was exported. Next, in the year 1891, qualified instructors were sent out to certain districts to educate people on the art of cultivating and curing. In order to increase the production, more efforts were taken to build a Central Coffee Work for coffee processing and grading. Since then, the Coffee Industry Board which exists in June 1950 is officially responsible to raise and maintain the quality of exported coffee. The Blue Mountain region is located in the East of the island and Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is a name only for coffee grown within this region. The production started to expand widely as the new home for these seedlings proved to be the ideal place . On the other hand, support from government and training in the art of cultivation allowed the industry to grow with reputation and quality.

The availability of the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee type is restricted due to it is exceptionally high in quality. The limited geographical area of the Blue Mountain has to be carefully defined. The biggest buyer is the Japanese who purchases over 80 percent of the total product and also owns large investments in this industry too. It is undeniable then that the rest of the world has to wrestle forcefully to secure for themselves the remaining 15 percent. The high-quality of each hand-picked bean is one of the main reasons that Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is the most expensive coffee in the world. If we look at some of the world's most distinguished shops, the retail value can start at US $55 per pound which is four or five times the cost of other pure Arabica coffees.

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