6 Alternatives to Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, also known as JMB coffee, is supposed to be one of its kind. Coffee lovers all over the internet talk about how exclusive and expensive this coffee is. However, some coffee connoisseurs prefer to buy other options. So here we brought you some alternatives to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.
Some other alternatives similar in flavor to Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee are:
- New guinea Arona coffee
- Tanna coffee
- Catimor arabica coffee
- Hawaiian Kona coffee
- Sumatra coffee
- Costa Rican coffee
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a delicacy. People are willing to pay a lot of money for a pound of these coffee beans. Here we have more information about this coffee, its history and what is so special about it.
Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee: Why Makes It So Special
As its name indicates, JBM coffee is harvested in the Blue Mountains in Jamaica. These mountains are the highest point on the island.
Some people claim that what makes this coffee so exceptional is the location where it is planted. But this is just an unfair simple way to put it. In reality, what makes this coffee so special is the process behind its production.
Since Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is a trademark, there’s a whole workforce behind its production. The main goal during its production is to deliver a high-quality product that meets the standard expected by the consumers.
After the coffee cherries have been dried out to 11.5% humidity, they go through the process of handpicking. During this process, several employees separate any defective beans from the rest.
Once the handpicking process ends, the beans are transported in hand-crafted barrels that help keep the humidity levels in the bean.
The workforce employed to produce this high-quality product receives a fair wage in exchange for their jobs. In addition, local farmers and producers have been educated about sustainable production.
Now, let’s see more about the history of coffee production in the area.
History Of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
The first coffee plant in Jamaica came in as a gift from the Governor of Martinique in the 18th century. Nine years later, there was a whole production of coffee in the St. Andrews parish, situated in Kingston.
Local producers found out the Blue Mountains microclimate was better for planting coffee trees. The zone is highly humid, with little sun exposure and regular rain. Coffee trees thrive in this environment.
The Blue Mountains Of Hagley Gap
The Blue Mountain is the highest point in Jamaica and the 6th in the Caribbean region. These mountains are located to the east, in the Hagley gap community.
Many people believe what made this place great for coffee plantations is the volcanic minerals in its soil.
Why Is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee So Expensive?
To explain it in simple words, it’s a matter of offer and demand. As you know, this coffee is only produced in a small region in Jamaica. Producers cannot cope with the high popularity of this product. Therefore, whoever buys it first, will set the selling price.
Additionally, due to the production cost, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee cannot afford to be cheap. Therefore, to make employees commit to the best quality out there, you must keep fair wages.
Characteristics Of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
All the efforts made to produce Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans give you a coffee cup with the following characteristics:
- Sweetness
- Chocolate tones
- Vibrant acidity
- Low bitterness
Coffee trees need to be planted at 5000 ft. The lowest acceptable altitude is 3000 ft.
Alternatives To Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee
Now, let’s review the alternatives to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and what makes them worthy of comparison.
Arona Coffee
According to many sources, this coffee produced in Papua New Guinea is an excellent alternative to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. Some of the characteristics of this version include:
● Fruit and chocolate flavors
● Sweet
● Barely acidic
This coffee is produced in small plantations named gardens. Although the country imports very little coffee, its production allows them to cover national demand. Gardens are usually located as high as 5250 ft.
Tanna Coffee
Tanna coffee is produced in Vanuatu, Australia. The volcanic soil in this region is similar to the one in the Jamaican Blue Mountains. Some of the characteristics of this coffee are:
● Chocolate, fruit, and spices aroma
● Lacks bitterness
Catimor Arabica Coffee
It is a crossed version of two coffee types. It was created in Portugal in the 20th century and later introduced across southeast Asia.
You can find Catimor coffee from Vietnam, China, Myanmar, the Philippines, and many other regions. Some of the characteristics these coffees share with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee are:
● Chocolate flavors
● Low acidity
● Sweet notes
Kona Coffee
It is the official name of the coffee produced in Hawaii. Some blends advertised using “Kona” in their brands. But these are a mix of coffee from other American regions. Some of the characteristics of this coffee include:
● Sweet flavor
● Lack of bitterness
Sumatra Mandheling Coffee
The planting process in Sumatran coffee is different from what the rest of the world does with coffee. Instead of removing the pulp and drying out most of the water content, Sumatra coffee is fermented.
Once the beans have fermented, then they go through a machine called wet-huller. The wet-huller leaves the beans ready to dry. Some of the characteristics that make Sumatra Mandheling coffee an alternative to Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee include:
● Sweet favor
● Chocolate hints
● Low acidity
Costa Rican Coffee
This country in Central America is well known for its volcanic activity and high-quality coffee. After what you learned about volcanic soil and coffee, you wouldn’t be surprised Costa Rican coffee is on this list.
The flavor profile that makes Costa Rican coffee similar to our protagonist is:
● Low acidity
● Fruit flavor
Frequently Asked Question
Is Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee worth the price?
Well, the answer to this question depends on your perception. Some people might say it is too expensive.
But, knowing that Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee prices mean fair wages to producers and workers behind its production may change your mind. However, there are other equally good alternatives at a much lower price.
What type of coffee is Blue Mountain coffee?
Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is 100% arabica coffee. All the coffee produced in Jamaica and branded as JBM comes from the same tree received in the early 19th century.
How can you tell if Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is real?
It is easy to trace back a Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee pack. As long as you see the pack indicates “100% Jamaican Blue Mountain ®,” it means you are getting the authentic product.
Jamaican Blue Mountain is a trademark for the beans produced in this particular place in Jamaica.
Conclusion
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is beyond comparison. It is a unique hand-crafted drink worth its price. Also, it would help if you considered that by paying a high price, you are supporting ethical production.
But if you are looking for alternatives because it is hard to find real Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, we gave you six. Even though they are not produced equally, they share some similarities in terms of the flavor profile.
You can try out coffee from anything from Arona, Tanna, Catimor, Kona, Sumatra, or Costa Rica. But, of course, it would share some similarities to the Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee as long as it comes from volcanic soil.
And you may be surprised to learn that sometimes we don’t need to break the bank to enjoy an excellent high-quality java cup.
