100% Certified Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, the One Jamaican Coffee You Won't Find in the Coffee Shop

If you are like most people then, you regularly get your coffee from a coffee shop chain or from the grocery store and brew it at home. The coffee is usually adequate and I, like many people, would have happily stuck to my coffee routine had I not stumbled upon Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee through a casual conversation with a family member. We had booked a cruise to the Caribbean and Jamaica was one of our stops along the way and he asked if I was going to get some Blue Mountain coffee while we were there. Not wanting to tip my hand that I had no idea this was a highly desired gourmet coffee grown at high elevation in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica, I said, "of course, aren't you?"

Arriving at the port in Jamaica I got off the ship and made my way to our taxi van. Our driver, whom I am sure is a former member of the Jamaican bobsled team, rocketed through the streets of Ocho Rios where: stop signs, red lights and yielding to pedestrians appeared to be suggestions. Our first stop was at a local shop and as the other tourists searched for souvenir dreadlocks to commemorate their trip, I went straight for the coffee. Not surprisingly, there was no price listed and there were a couple of brands to choose from, Jablum and Ridgelyne. After much deliberation, I asked the owner how much he wanted and he told me $12 U.S. I thought that was a bargain until I realized it was $12 U.S. per half pound! There was no time to haggle. I had a river rafting adventure booked so I swallowed hard and handed over $24 and bought a half pound of the Jablum and half pound of the Ridgelyne. I was excited and nervous, wondering if this coffee was worth the price.

We had two more ports of call before we were to come home and I wasn't taking any chances with this Jamaican gold so, the coffee went into our stateroom safe. When I got home I tore through my luggage,grabbed the treasured contents and brewed my first cup of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee according to the package directions. It was by far the best cup of coffee of my life! It was smooth with no bitter aftertaste and now I was hooked. Both brands were very good although, I had a slight preference for the Ridgelyne. I went through a pound in no time and found myself in a quandary. I had no immediate plans to re-visit Jamaica. Where would I find the next batch of Blue Mountain coffee and how would I be sure I was going to get the real thing?

• Tip #1- Begin by going to the Coffee Industry Board of Jamaica's (CIBJ) website and educate yourself. The CIBJ has a list of certified dealers and importers. Some dealers and importers have links to their own sites. The CIBJ also exposes Blue Mountain coffee fraudsters with consumer information.
  
• Tip #2- Read the product information carefully to make sure you are getting 100% Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and not a blend. The package should have a certification label that reads 100% Blue Mountain certified. Contact website owners and ask about the quality of their beans and any other concerns you may have.
  
• Tip #3- Compare prices and be aware that,depending upon your country of residence,you may have to pay: duty,import taxes and shipping in addition to the price of the coffee. A cheaper price on a website in another country may turn out to be the same price in your own country because of the above additional costs. Make sure you know what the additional costs are and also be aware of shipping mark up.
  
• Tip #4- Make sure that the website you are going to purchase from is authentic and has a secure payment system. This may sound obvious but diligence is essential. Use a payment system and method you are confident with and ask about satisfaction guarantees,return policies, and associated costs.
  
• Tip #5- Look for deals, especially around holidays. Some websites may offer free shipping or shipping upgrades. Some will throw in a package of free coffee in your order (usually a 1/4 pound). Some may offer volume discounts. Shop around.