When you hear about prestigious coffee, Jamaica is immediately one of the first origins to pop up. My list of the best Jamaican coffee brands is so you can experience this prestigious reputation for yourself.
Jamaica has been producing coffee since the 18th century. It’s best known for its Blue Mountain coffee, a particularly delicious specialty coffee from its Blue Mountain region. The country is practically tailor-made for high-quality coffee thanks to its high elevations and tropical climate.
The best Jamaican coffee brands source directly from the country to bring you memorable, complex beans. Whether you want whole beans or compostable pods, there’s something for everybody below!
Top Jamaican Coffee Brands
- Volcanica Coffee
- Blue Mountain Coffee
- Green Coffee Traders
- Dancing Moon Coffee Co.
- Plantation Blue
What is Blue Mountain Coffee?
Before I dive into the best Jamaican coffee brands, let’s take a look at Blue Mountain coffee. You can’t explore this origin without knowing about this famous variety.
Blue Mountain coffee gets its name from the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica. This area stretches across roughly a third of the country and is distinctive for its high elevation and proximity to the coast.
Their high elevation creates more stable temperatures to let coffee mature at a slower pace. This longer maturation process creates richer and more complex flavors than more underdeveloped beans.
What Does Blue Mountain Coffee Taste Like?
Blue Mountain coffee earns a reputation as being exceptionally flavorful and balanced. It leans on the sweeter end of the equation with almost no bitterness to speak of.
Some of the most common flavor notes you’ll encounter are milk chocolate, herbal notes, and black tea. You might also get faint notes of hazelnut or subtle citrus.
Why is Blue Mountain Coffee so Expensive?
Blue Mountain coffee fetches premium prices because of three main reasons: hard work, demand, and exporting.
Protecting, cultivating, and harvesting high-quality beans is incredibly difficult. Jamaican coffee farmers combine decades of expertise to bring these beans to your kitchen. They focus on arabica strains, too, which are also more sensitive to temperature changes and environmental hazards.
Secondly, Jamaica produces a relatively small amount of the world’s coffee at $740 million worth. While that sounds like a high number, it’s actually on the smaller side – by comparison, Brazil produces nearly $62 billion worth of coffee every year.
Last but not least, most Blue Mountain coffee goes straight to Japan! They’re the largest importer of this specialty coffee, which means there’s only a little left to go around globally.
Is Blue Mountain the Best in the World?
Determining the best coffee is a personal experience. One person’s specialty coffee is another person’s grocery store instant coffee tin.
However, Blue Mountain coffee has certainly earned its reputation – it’s famously balanced, mellow, and pleases multiple palates.
How Do I Know I’m Buying Authentic Blue Mountain Coffee?
Blue Mountain coffee is carefully protected against imitators. While anyone can technically say they source it, there are a few ways to fact-check this.
Check the Label: Blue Coffee comes with labels that emphasize where the coffee is made. Authentic Blue Mountain coffee is grown and harvested in Jamaica and will say as such on the bag.
Review the Price: As stated above, Blue Mountain coffee is a little more expensive. If you find a very cheap bag, you’re probably holding a fake.
Coffee Board of Jamaica Stamp: Check for the official seal of approval from the Coffee Board Of Jamaica. It’ll outright state ‘Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee’ with a picture of a barrel and a mountain range.
Coffee Percentage: Each bag must have at least 20% beans from the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica to get the seal of approval. Anything lower is an outright fake.
The Five Best Jamaican Coffee Brands
There are quite a few Jamaican coffee brands for you to choose from. I chose brands on multiple ends of the price and variety spectrum so you can enjoy the best option for your needs.
1. Volcanica Coffee
Volcanica Coffee is a brand that shows up regularly on this site for its unbelievable variety. With so many origins in their portfolio, it’s only natural Jamaica would crop up.
They offer a few regular bags of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee. First is their Clydesdale bag, made of 100% Blue Mountain with a fruitier flavor than you’ll usually find. Their Blend comes in 30% Blue Mountain with a medley of other origins to create a satisfying blend of chocolate and citrus notes.
If that wasn’t good enough, they have several more Jamaican Blue Coffee estate coffees to choose from. There’s also a roaster’s gift box containing multiple of their Blue Mountain selections in one place.
For decaf drinkers, you also have the option of their Jamaican Rum French Vanilla Flavored Decaf Coffee.
Like much of Volcanica’s portfolio, their Blue Mountain coffee is kosher. Some of their Jamaican coffee is also Rainforest Alliance Certified and Direct Trade Certified.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want a variety of Jamaican coffee to choose from
- Need a decaf option
- Need kosher options
- Want to buy coffee with more certifications
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want more decaf coffee options
2. Blue Mountain Coffee
The name alone tells you you’re in the right place. Blue Mountain Coffee is a coffee importer that specializes in, what else, Blue Mountain coffee!
Their portfolio is truly impressive, sourcing several 100% Blue Mountain coffee bags. There’s a nice variety of roast levels as well as sample bags if you feel like experimenting. Their Small Farmer collection focuses on smallholder farms with a more limited selection. They even have a Jamaica Select straight from the Jamaican Coffee Growers Association.
Each purchase gives you a wealth of fascinating information, detailing the history of the estate, the altitude, and the bean types.
Due to the variety of sources they pull their coffee from, you won’t always get the exact amount you want. Sometimes you’ll be able to buy 8oz or 16oz bags, while other times you have to buy 5 lbs or more.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want the most authentic Blue Mountain coffee experience
- Enjoy a variety of bean types and roast levels
- Want to purchase larger volumes of coffee (such as 5lbs)
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want continuous access to smaller volumes (such as 8oz or 16oz)
- Are curious about Jamaican coffee blends
- Prefer to buy more affordable coffee
3. Green Coffee Traders
Do you sometimes like to roast coffee from home? Green Coffee Traders gives you access to both roasted and high-quality green coffee from around the world, including Jamaica.
Their featured collection includes a few Blue Mountain varieties. Their most notable is their 100% Blue Mountain coffee, roasted fresh to order and comes in different grind levels. While you can only order a minimum of four pounds, this is a fantastic choice for coffee drinkers who need extra for the family or office.
If you prefer roasting coffee at home on your own schedule, get a bag of their green Blue Mountain coffee. These come in smaller single-pound bags, to boot. Last but not least, you can try their organic Blue Mountain blend (also roasted fresh to order).
If you’re interested in other origins, you can bundle their Blue Mountain with their Kona coffee.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want to try Blue Mountain coffee
- Are curious about home roasting
- Also want to try other origins such as Kona coffee
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want a larger selection of Jamaican coffee
- Need to buy smaller volumes (such as 8oz or 12oz)
4. Dancing Moon Coffee Co.
You may be wondering if it’s possible to get Blue Mountain coffee in forms other than classic whole beans or grind levels. Dancing Moon Coffee Co. offers up a little extra variety to help you get your fix.
Their portfolio includes their signature 100% Blue Mountain bag, a delicious-sounding coffee with notes of hazelnut and chocolate. While it only comes in whole bean or a coffeemaker grind, its smaller size makes it an accessible entry point.
If you prefer coffee pods, they also offer two Blue Mountain coffee pod options – their 100% Blue Mountain as well as their Blue Mountain blend. Their blend combines multiple Arabica beans from Central and South America for an impressively complex result. All of their coffee pods are compatible with K-Cup machines.
We Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want to try Blue Mountain coffee
- Want coffee pod options alongside whole beans or ground coffee
- Are curious about Jamaican coffee blends
We Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Don’t want coffee pods
- Want a wider variety of Jamaican coffee
- Prefer to choose specific grind levels
5. Plantation Blue
Blue Mountain coffee may be prestigious, but it’s perfectly okay to start out small. Plantation Blue offers a solid range of 100% Blue Mountain bags and compelling blends at flexible sizes.
You can order as small as 8oz as well as the classic 16oz. Their Blue Mountain and Kona Coffee Bespoke Blend automatically caught my eye for combining some of the most famous specialty coffee. The combination of flavors is nothing short of impressive, ranging from sweet chocolate to floral notes.
If you prefer to focus exclusively on Jamaican coffee, you’ll be more than impressed with their Plantation Blue 100% Jamaica Best Blue Mountain bag. This coffee comes bagged with foil and a one-way valve to keep your purchase as fresh as possible. For those unaware, the one-way valve releases carbon dioxide while keeping oxygen out, retaining your coffee’s rich flavor.
I Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Are curious to try some of the most famous specialty coffee in one place
- Enjoy blends as well as 100% bags
- Want their coffee as fresh as possible
I Don’t Recommend This Brand For Drinkers Who
- Want K-cups or instant coffee
- Need decaf or half-caf options
FAQs
What is the most famous Jamaican coffee? ›
Clifton Mountain Estate's reputation speaks for itself, as it is known to produce some of the best Blue Mountain Coffee in Jamaica. Blue Mountain Coffee is also grown at the Flamstead Estate, which can be found more than 3,000 feet above sea level, which is the perfect altitude to produce amazing coffee!
How can you tell if Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is real? ›To check whether or not your Blue Mountain coffee is genuine, you just need to look for its globally protected certification mark. Only authentic Blue Mountain coffee will have this mark, which is awarded by the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica.
Is Jamaican coffee strong? ›Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Flavor Notes
The beans are praised for having mild flavors and a lack of bitterness. This coffee also showcases a bright acidity that is not overpowering. Some attribute chocolate and herbal notes to this coffee. Many described it as being mellow and easy to drink.
Taste the difference of fresh!
Is Jamaican coffee the best coffee in the world? ›Blue Mountains of Jamaica
It is this combination of elevation, climate, continuous rainfall and rich soil that creates the ideal coffee-growing conditions producing what is arguably some of the finest gourmet coffees the world has ever known.
Known for its bright acidity and lack of bitterness, authentic Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is one of the rarest and most expensive coffees on the market. One reason it is so highly regarded is because of its scarcity.
What makes Jamaican coffee so good? ›It is well established that altitude makes a significant difference in the quality of coffee, with higher altitudes producing a denser bean, which translates into a richer cup of coffee. The climate in the Jamaica Blue Mountains is cooler than the rest of Jamaica.
Why is Jamaican coffee so expensive? ›The simplest explanation of why the price is so high, is simple supply and demand, the Blue Mountains provides around 0.1% of the world's coffee and the demand is relatively high.
What is the most expensive coffee? ›Kopi Luwak is the world's most exclusive and expensive coffee. The reason behind its high price is how it is made. Notably, the name Kopi Luwak is not the name of the coffee but the method of production.
What is Jamaican coffee called? ›When it comes to the most sought-after types of coffee in the world, the Jamaican Blue Mountain varietal is often placed at the top of the list. Known for its sweet, floral taste, bright acidity and lack of bitterness, authentic Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is one of the rarest and most expensive coffees available.
Can I bring back coffee from Jamaica? ›
As a general rule, condiments, vinegars, oils, packaged spices, honey, coffee and tea are admissible. Because rice can often harbor insects, it is best to avoid bringing it into the United States.
How much does Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee cost? ›Samples of Jamaican Blue Mountain beans are known to go for as much as $12 to $15 just to try it.
What is the best instant coffee in Jamaica? ›Salada Foods is the home of the renowned Jamaica Mountain Peak brand of coffees and instant teas. With a uniquely Jamaican taste and flavourful aroma, it's no wonder that Jamaica Mountain Peak is the #1 instant coffee brand in Jamaica.
Which is the No 1 coffee brand? ›With annual revenues of $23.52 billion, Starbucks tops the list of best coffee brands in the world. The world's largest coffee retailer, headquartered in Seattle, US, was founded in 1971. At present, its operations span across more than 33,800 stores in 80 countries.
What is the #1 coffee drinking country? ›1. Finland — 12 kg/26 lbs — Finland is the world's biggest consumer of coffee on a per-person basis. The average Finn drinks nearly four cups a day.
Where is the best quality coffee in the world? ›Colombia is probably the world's best-known coffee producer and ranks second worldwide in yearly production. A high standard of excellence is maintained with great pride and careful growing on thousands of small family farms across the country.
What is the most expensive exotic coffee? ›True Kopi luwak coffee is widely considered as one the most expensive coffees in the world. Currently a cup of this specialty brew can cost anywhere from $35 to $100 per cup at an average coffee shop, if they stock this variety to sell on to their customers then the price is more like $100 to $800 per small bag.
What is the most expensive coffee in us? ›Molokai, US$97 per kilogram
Genuine Molokai coffee is primarily grown on the island of Molokai in Maui County, Hawaii. Coffees of Hawaii is the company responsible for meeting global demand for Molokai, which is one explanation for its exuberant price tag.
By far, Jamaica is one of the most famous Caribbean islands when it comes to coffee, thanks to a smooth, mild bean that grows high up in the mountains in rich, wet soil. Known as Blue Mountain Coffee, the beans are blue-green in color and have a strong aroma.
What is world's most loved coffee? ›Espresso. The most popular coffee drink in the entire world is espresso. Espresso originates from Italy and is produced by forcing small amounts of boiling water through finely ground coffee beans.
What is the healthiest coffee to drink? ›
The healthiest way to take your coffee is hot-brewed and black. One cup has virtually no calories or carbs, no fat, and is low in sodium. Black coffee also has micronutrients, including potassium, magnesium, and niacin.
What is the 1 best selling coffee? ›1. Starbucks. With more than 30,000 retail stores in 83 countries, Starbucks clearly is one of the leading, most prominent and popular coffee chain in the world.
Is Jamaican coffee good for you? ›Like other coffees, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee also has health benefits. Research has shown that coffee can regulate glucose in the body and boosts liver enzyme levels, according to www.hopkinsmedicine.org.
Why is Kenyan coffee so good? ›Rich Volcanic Soil
Kenya's soil is unusually fertile due to the presence of an active volcano system, the Great Rift Valley, one of the geologic wonders of the world. The volcanic soil is rich in mineral nutrients that enhance the flavor of the coffee.
Tia Maria is a dark coffee liqueur made originally in Jamaica using Jamaican coffee beans, but now made in Italy.
How much is a pound of Jamaican coffee? ›Absolutely worth the $40 per lb price tag.
Does Starbucks Jamaica use Jamaican coffee? ›Even though Jamaica is home to the world-famous Blue Mountain Coffee, Starbucks locations do not use Jamaican coffee.
How much is a pound of Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee in Jamaica? ›Long considered the world's best coffee. Typically sells for US$65 per pound. Only grown in a specific region of Jamaica's Blue Mountains.
What coffee has the most expensive taste? ›Saint Helena Coffee is cultivated on the island of Saint Helena and its remote location is part of what contributes to the expensive price tag. The coffee is fragrant with a caramel flavour and has a touch of citrus. it's priced from around $43.75 a kilogram and this figure climbs steadily upwards.
Which country has the most expensive coffee? ›The most expensive coffee in the world is Black Ivory Coffee in Thailand, costing up to $1,500 per pound. The coffee cherries are fed to elephants, where they are partially fermented during digestion, and later collected from their feces before being roasted and brewed.
What coffee bean is the most expensive drink? ›
Widely regarded as a luxury delicacy, the Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Primarily produced in Indonesia the coffee draws its value from the very unique way the beans are obtained.
What flavor is Jamaican coffee? ›Coffee characteristics
The flavor of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee is said to be refined and mild with an extremely pleasant sweetness that verges on creamy. Tones of chocolate appear in the complexity of the coffee which also exhibits a smooth yet bright acidity and almost a total lack of any bitterness.
For reference, according to True West Magazine, they called their weak coffee as “dehorned belly wash or brown gargle.” Cowboys drank coffee on a regular basis and pretty much lived on coffee.
What coffee varieties are in Jamaica? ›The quality of the beans is graded into Blue Mountain No. 1 - 3, Pea Berry and Triage. Other grades of Jamaican coffee include: High Mountain Supreme, Jamaica Prime and Jamaica Select. In its wild state, the shrub grows to about 8 to 10 metres.
What coffee does Mcdonald's use? ›Good is brewing with the rich aroma and delicious taste of our 100% Arabica coffee, available in K-Cup® pods, bags and cans in a variety of blends. Find your favorite McCafé® flavors at Keurig.com today!
What is the most powerful coffee brand? ›Devil Mountain Coffee boasts of being the strongest coffee in the world. The Black Label has 1,555 mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup, which is more than three times the FDA's recommended daily amount.
How rare is Blue Mountain coffee? ›It is rare because it represents only 2-3% of the coffee harvest. The coffee beans are certified by the Coffee Industry Board as 100% Jamaica Blue Mountain®.
What kind of coffee is Jamaica known for? ›Jamaican coffee is one of the world's greatest wonders. Introduced to Jamaica in 1728, Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee is best known for its mild flavor and general lack of bitterness, creating one of the most sought after and expensive beans in the world. Jamaica's blue mountain region is ideal for growing coffee.
What coffee do they drink in Jamaica? ›That's when the rich complexities of Blue Mountain coffee's flavour and aroma are best appreciated. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is a globally protected certification mark, meaning that only coffee certified by the Jamaica Commodities Regulatory Authority can be labelled as such.
What is the most popular Oso Negro coffee? ›Oso Negro - Whole Bean Coffee, Full Organic Blend, 454 Gram
Their most popular medium blend, a delicate cup highlighted by graham-cracker-sweetness & smooth, mild nuts. Buttery coffee from Central & South America is paired with mildly earthy Sumatran, resulting in a balanced, creamy blend.
Why is Blue Mountain coffee so expensive? ›
All of the coffee is processed at Sherwood Coffee Works, a 200 year old coffee factory. JBM is produced on the hillsides of the mountain, making it extremely difficult to cultivate. As a result the beans are hand-picked making it a very labor intensive process. JBM is pricey.
What's the best coffee in the world? ›- Colombian Andean coffee.
- Ethiopian acidic coffee.
- Indonesian civet coffee.
- Yemeni coffee of Mocha.
- Mexican café de olla.
- Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee.
- Traditional Brazilian cafezinho.
- Italian espresso.
One of the iconic Jamaican drinks is rum. Without a doubt, the liqueur most associated with Jamaica and the surrounding Caribbean region, rum, or more specifically Jamaican rum, is a liqueur that you must try when visiting this part of the world.
What coffee brand do cowboys drink? ›Arbuckles' Ariosa Blend became so popular in the Old West that most cowboys didn't even know that there was any other. Arbuckles' Coffee was prominent in such infamous cow towns as Dodge City and Tombstone. To many of the older cowboys, Arbuckles' Ariosa Blend is still known as the Original Cowboy Coffee.
What brand of coffee does Black Bear use? ›Small Nicaraguan coffee farmers grow our Black Bear Diner blend with our delicious single origin 100% Nicaraguan coffee.
Which African country has the best coffee? ›Not only is it the country that produces the most coffee in Africa, but it's also the birthplace of coffee. Therefore, it might come as no surprise that many drinkers consider Ethiopia to have the best coffee beans in Africa.
What is the most expensive coffee brand in the US? ›Klatch Coffee Roasters, which has several locations in California, will be serving up the Elida Geisha 803, coffee beans from Panama that cost $803 per pound and recently won first place at the Best of Panama coffee competition. The media could not be played. Each cup of coffee will cost $75.
How much is a pound of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee in Jamaica? ›Long considered the world's best coffee. Typically sells for US$65 per pound. Only grown in a specific region of Jamaica's Blue Mountains.
What is the most expensive coffee in US? ›Molokai, US$97 per kilogram
Genuine Molokai coffee is primarily grown on the island of Molokai in Maui County, Hawaii. Coffees of Hawaii is the company responsible for meeting global demand for Molokai, which is one explanation for its exuberant price tag.