We receive this question somewhat frequently since we serve Jamaican Blue. The price of JBM is high because of supply and demand. The supply of JMB is low because space on those Blue Mountains is limited, and demand is high because JBM coffee is is unique and tasty. First lets look at the supply side of it. Jamaican Blue Mountain is unfortunately one of the rarest coffees in the world. The coffee must be grown on the eastern part of the island of Jamaica on the Blue Mountains in the parishes of Portland, St. Andrew, and St. Thomas between 2,000 to 5,000 ft. , and come from one of the five certified estates. The climate and environment in that area is a big part of what makes JBM so delicious, and the area with this climate, and space to grow coffee on it, is little. Of the five certified estates, Wallenford and Mavis Bank are the most prominent, then there is Old tavern, Silver Hill and Moy Hall which is a co-op created from the older farms. Also, keeping in mind that Jamaica is a very minor coffee producing nation, only 15% of Jamaican coffee is authentic JBM. Of the JBM that is produced, the majority is exported to Japan.
Now to the demand part of the equation. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee can taste very good. It is extremely well -balanced in flavor, with an excellent body and a nice medium acidity (rare in coffees with such a nice body). JBM is smooth, clean, balanced, sweet, and mild. Our JBM from the Wallenford estate also has pleasant nutty-cocoa-herby notes. The coffee is delicious, thus demand is high. Even though coffee is a commodity (second only to oil), in the case on JBM I feel that the price is slightly over-inflated because of factors other than its quality and its supply. The JBM name has an ultra-premium feel (it is the only coffee shipped in barrels, not bags) such ultra-premium products often have a somewhat inflated price. The question I usually get after why JBM is so expensive is "Is it worth it?". To which I normally reply that yes, it is worth it if you enjoy and are in the mood for a full-bodied, medium-light roasted, smooth, clean, balanced, sweet, mild cup of coffee with a medium acidity. We offer JBM Per cup or pound and if you see JBM much less expensive then that, it is most likely not 100% certified JBM, be sure to read the label.