Jamaica isn’t just about white sand beaches and reggae beats—it’s also home to one of the world’s rarest and most luxurious coffees: Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee. If you’re planning an all-inclusive vacation to Jamaica (especially with Sandals Resorts), this is the one local delicacy you can’t leave without tasting. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a serious coffee lover, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is about to get you going!
Blue Mountain Coffee is cultivated high in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, one of the Caribbean’s most scenic and fertile regions. I was in awe of the mountains on this island the first time I visited. These misty peaks, located just north of Kingston, are where the magic begins. This coffee is grown specifically in the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, and St. Mary. To be officially labeled Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, beans must be grown at elevations between 3,000 and 5,500 feet. The cool mountain climate, rich volcanic soil, and consistent rainfall combine to create coffee that’s smooth, balanced, and unlike anything else in the world.
Blue Mountain Coffee is hand-harvested by skilled farmers, each coffee cherry picked only when it’s perfectly ripe. The beans then go through a meticulous wet-processing method that includes fermentation, sun-drying, and sorting by hand to eliminate imperfections. Only about 400 to 1,000 metric tons (which is roughly 881,848 pounds to 2,204,620 pounds according to rooster math) are produced each year, making this one of the most exclusive coffee varieties on the planet. Jamaica has approximately 5,000 small farms growing Blue Mountain Coffee, with many of them less than 2.5 acres in size. They focus entirely on quality over quantity.
This coffee isn’t your average morning brew. What sets Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee apart is its low acidity, naturally sweet flavor, smooth balanced finish with floral notes, and zero bitterness. Or I just say, it tastes really rich, smooth, and good. Every batch is certified by JACRA, the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, so you know it has to be good. If you look on their website, www.jacra.org, you can find more info. I really want the job of Senior Director of Coffee, but I probably don’t qualify. Anyway, look for the Blue Mountain Coffee Seal to ensure you’re getting the real deal—not a watered-down blend. Some “Blue Mountain blends” have as little as 20% authentic beans!
If you’re staying at a Sandals all-inclusive resort in Jamaica, a TravelRooster favorite, you’re in luck: Blue Mountain Coffee is included and unlimited throughout your stay! You can enjoy it at Club Sandals lounges, in your suite (Club and Butler Level guests), at resort cafés and restaurants, and through room service any time of day. Resorts serving Blue Mountain Coffee include:
- Sandals Negril
- Sandals Montego Bay
- Sandals South Coast
- Sandals Ochi
- Sandals Royal Caribbean
- Sandals Royal Plantation
- Sandals Dunn’s River
And yes, you can buy it from the resort gift shop to take home.
A Travel Rooster Pro Tip: Store your beans in an airtight container (not in the fridge!), brew using a French press or pour-over (avoid boiling), and for an extra island twist, add a splash of Jamaican rum cream. Ya mon.
Ready to book your all-inclusive Jamaica vacation, or need more info? Find the best deals and exclusive perks by contacting me here. No matter what you decide, have a Relaxing Sunset.
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