LINDSBORG- For coffee connoisseurs, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is a name that stands out as one of the world's finest coffees. It is revered as the world's best coffee. Even sophisticated British spy James Bond, in the novel Live and Let Die declared Jamaican “Blue Mountain Coffee - the most delicious in the world”.
Well, a small number of coffee enthusiasts will get an opportunity to find out for themselves if this expensive coffee is all it's cracked up to be. Though the "Blue Mountain" name is steeped in rich history and tradition, with it's origin stemming from one single Arabica plant that arrived on the island from Martinique in 1723 by order of King Louis XV of France, in recent years “t's the Dom Perignon of coffee” according to Mark Galloway, owner and roastmaster at Blacksmith Coffee Roastery in Lindsborg.
Galloway said, “Many coffee drinkers have sipped a “Blue Mountain Blend” or other coffees billing themselves as Blue Mountain, but few have ever enjoyed the real thing. Primarily this is because 90 percent of the authentic Blue Mountain coffee is exported to Japan. Consequently, few Americans have had an opportunity to try this extremely rare coffee. “I usually discourage people from buying coffees billed as Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, because most of the time it's not the 'real' Blue Mountain coffee.” stated Galloway. “We are privileged to have an opportunity this month to acquire 30kg of authentic Mavis Bank Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and are making it available on a first come, first serve basis to coffee enthusiasts.”
So what's “authentic” Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and what makes it so special? In a region known or it's towering peaks that rise over 7,000 feet above the blue Caribbean sea, the rich volcanic soil, the warm days and cool nights, seemingly endless cloud cover and abundant (over 200 inches) rainfall converge to produce a coffee bean that matures nearly two times longer (10 months) than most coffees and results in an exceptionally large and complex coffee.
According to Galloway, altitude is critical to the development of the coffee's flavor, but that can be destroyed during processing by insects, moisture and other environmental factors that are present at sea level. “Of Jamaica's four coffee processors, only one still processes it's coffee at 5000 feet. That's Blue Mountain coffee bearing the Mavis Bank mark.
Most of their plantations produce coffee that is grown at altitudes around 5,000 feet. They harvest and process this delicate coffee the traditional way at this altitude too, which is imperative in maintaining its world-class characteristics.”
Authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is world renowned for delivering a very well balanced cup, with medium acidity and body and a smooth finish. Distinctive herbal notes, interesting mild nutty flavors and even a hint of tropical fruit is often evident in the cup.
So what does this cost? Blacksmith Coffee Roastery will be offering this “real” Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee for $30 for a 12 oz bag which Galloway said normally sells in the “Fifty dollar range”. He continued, “Our goal is not to make a lot of money on this special order, but to put together a fun opportunity and give our customers a chance to try a very rare, world renowned coffee.”
When asked if it's worth it, Mark Galloway relates, “Coffee is like wine - more complex actually. But, Mavis Bank Jamaican Blue Mountain is the real deal. For many serious coffee enthusiasts, it truly is the best in the world. We've had orders from the West Coast since we put on the site, so to some people it's definitely worth it! Of course, the only way for a person to really know is to try it and decide for themselves. At least it's not the most expensive coffee in the world! That distinction belongs Kopi Luwak from Indonesia, which sells for more than $100/pound that's better known as the cat crap coffee. Fortunately, there's nothing crappy Mavis Bank Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.” BCR will be receiving orders through 5 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 27, and will be roasting the coffee for delivery on Thurs., Sept. 3. For more information, call 1-800-576-5280 or go to www.BlacksmithCoffee.com.
