What is Blue Mountain Coffee?
When it comes to the most sought-after types of coffee, the Jamaican Blue Mountain varietal is often placed at the top of the list because it is one of the world's rarest and most expensive coffees. However, did you know that the Blue Mountain varietal grows in other regions worldwide?
It's true! From Kenya to Kauai, Blue Mountain coffee thrives in volcanic soil and at higher altitudes, making the 3,100 acres and diverse microclimates of our farm a perfect home for this delicious and valuable varietal.
Find out what makes this coffee unique, what it tastes like, and how to pair it with food like a pro.
Blue Mountains, Jamaica
Jamaican Blue Mountain History and Origin
Just as the coffee grown on Kauai is known as Kauai Coffee, and coffee grown in the Kona region of the Big Island is known as Kona Coffee, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee comes from a small, mountainous region on the eastern side of Jamaica.
Blue Mountain coffee is an Arabica variety derived from Typica and grows at an elevation of 2,000 to 5,500 feet above sea level. This variety was introduced to Jamaica in 1721 when Governor Nicholas Lawes planted the first seeds at his Temple Hall estate. Much like Kauai, Jamaica's cool mountain temperatures, volcanic soil, and abundant rain give Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee its distinct flavor. Cultivation is carefully monitored and globally protected by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica, and only coffees from this specific region can be certified as authentic Jamaican Blue.
Price
Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is one of the most expensive coffees in the world for several reasons. First, most coffee is grown on flat, agricultural land. The Blue Mountain region is steep and hilly, making farming and harvesting labor-intensive. Second, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is rare. The country only exports 4-5 million pounds of coffee per year. The labor required and relative scarcity of the coffee means that one pound of Jamaican Blue Coffee can cost upwards of $65 in the USA. If Blue Mountain Coffee is high on your list of beans to buy, Kauai Blue Mountain is a USA-grown, high-quality option that ships directly to your door from $35 plus shipping.
Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee
The Blue Mountain varietal was introduced to the Kauai Coffee farm in 1990. The University of Hawaii collected Blue Mountain seeds from Jamaica and planted them in a single test field at Kauai Coffee in collaboration with the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center. Once the field was established on our farm, the varietal name was changed to Kauai Blue Mountain, and our Estate Reserve Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee quickly became a customer favorite.
Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee is 100% Hawaiian coffee, triple certified by Fair Trade USA®, The Rain Forest Alliance®, and Non-GMO Project. So, when you buy Kauai Blue Mountain, you can rest assured it was grown with sustainable practices that put our people and planet first.
Kauai Blue Mountain Flavor Profile
Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee is known for its sweet, floral taste, bright acidity, and lack of bitterness. Even though Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee is bright and acidic, it still has a heavy, full-bodied mouthfeel which is an unusual and intriguing combination of flavor and texture. Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee is a dark roast, so you can expect nutty, chocolatey, and citrus flavor notes.
Perfect Pairings
The complex flavor profile makes it a versatile brew you can pair with various sweet and savory dishes. Some of our favorites include:
- Pancakes with maple syrup and sage sausage – this classic breakfast combo has sweet, savory, and subtle herbaceous notes that will layer well with the bright and sweet notes in the coffee.
- Lemon poppy seed scones or muffins – the sharp citrus of lemon poppy seed confections make a great pair with the coffee's zesty and bright notes.
- Double chocolate glazed doughnuts – A rich, dense chocolate pastry will contrast with the bright, acidic flavors in the coffee and bring out its richness.
Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee Reviews
Ready to try Kauai Blue Mountain Coffee? See what our customers have to say and place an order online now.
Kauai Blue Mountain “I'm not a coffee connoisseur, but I know a good tasting cup of coffee when I taste it. I've tried the Wallenford Jamaica Blue Mountain, and it's fabulous. This Kauai version is supposedly from the Jamaican seed, and I believe it, it is fabulous too and I highly recommend it!” – Darryl C.
Extremely Smooth “This might be the smoothest coffee I have ever tasted. Absolutely delicious and highly recommend.” – Nathaniel O.
Tastes like the original “45 years ago friends introduced us to the world's best coffee: Jamaica Blue Mountain. A few years later Japan cornered almost all of the production. They love it so much; they have a national day named for it. When my wife and I visited the Kauai Coffee Estate I saw their Blue Mountain brand. The Visitor Center staff told me it is the same species of beans now growing in Kauai. Brought a bag home. Tastes like what I remember from all those decades ago. Delicious flavor, no bite or strong after taste to complicate the experience.” – Terry K.
