Oh that black velvety bean of delightfulness. Oh the bittersweet nectar of the Gods. The coffee bean. For those who choose to partake of this heavenly beverage, it is the start of every day and an object of desire. Yet what is it about coffee from Jamaica that adds a whole other dimension of rapture? What do they do to the bean? Is it the tropical sun? The unique landscape of the island of Jamaica? Or the friendly nature of the people?
In 1723 King Louis XV of France sent three coffee plants to his island colony of Martinique, just south of Jamaica. Although two of the plants died during the ocean voyage, one survived and was planted in the intended colony. A few years later Sir Nicholas Lawes brought clippings of that plant to Jamaica and planted them at St. Andrew. What Lawes discovered was the coffee plant loved the conditions of Jamaica so much, that within a year there were plants all over the nearby hills and climbing up Blue Mountain.
By 1814 there were hundreds of coffee plantations all over Jamaica, mostly powered by slave labor. The process for harvest begins with handpicking the berries one by one, not tearing branches off the plant. Then drying the berries, sorting, curing, rating and milling them. The drying part of the process is one of the things that makes Jamaican coffee so much better than others. Called 'wet parchment', the berries are left to sit and age for six or eight weeks.
There are two kinds of coffee from Jamaica: Blue Mountain and Jamaica Prime. The first grows only on Blue Mountain, where the high altitude (2000 to 5000 above sea level) and warm damp climate combine to produce an incredible coffee bean. Jamaica Prime coffee is grown in all other areas of the island, at a lower altitude but with just as much quality. In fact Jamaica Prime is considered one of the world's finest coffees in its own right.
When slavery was abolished, production decreased significantly. By the middle of the 19th century only 184 coffee plantations were left, and
By 1814 there were hundreds of coffee plantations all over Jamaica, mostly powered by slave labor. The process for harvest begins with handpicking the berries one by one, not tearing branches off the plant. Then drying the berries, sorting, curing, rating and milling them. The drying part of the process is one of the things that makes Jamaican coffee so much better than others. Called 'wet parchment', the berries are left to sit and age for six or eight weeks.
There are two kinds of coffee from Jamaica: Blue Mountain and Jamaica Prime. The first grows only on Blue Mountain, where the high altitude (2000 to 5000 above sea level) and warm damp climate combine to produce an incredible coffee bean. Jamaica Prime coffee is grown in all other areas of the island, at a lower altitude but with just as much quality. In fact Jamaica Prime is considered one of the world's finest coffees in its own right.
When slavery was abolished, production decreased significantly. By the middle of the 19th century only 184 coffee plantations were left, and
There are two kinds of coffee from Jamaica: Blue Mountain and Jamaica Prime. The first grows only on Blue Mountain, where the high altitude (2000 to 5000 above sea level) and warm damp climate combine to produce an incredible coffee bean. Jamaica Prime coffee is grown in all other areas of the island, at a lower altitude but with just as much quality. In fact Jamaica Prime is considered one of the world's finest coffees in its own right.
When slavery was abolished, production decreased significantly. By the middle of the 19th century only 184 coffee plantations were left, and almost none at the turn of the 20th century. Then, during the 1950's, governmental bodies formed the Coffee Industry Board. The organization was meant to streamline production and maintain a standards control. Today those standards still exist and Jamaican coffee is the finest in the world, at least according to some coffee drinkers.
About the Author:
When slavery was abolished, production decreased significantly. By the middle of the 19th century only 184 coffee plantations were left, and almost none at the turn of the 20th century. Then, during the 1950's, governmental bodies formed the Coffee Industry Board. The organization was meant to streamline production and maintain a standards control. Today those standards still exist and Jamaican coffee is the finest in the world, at least according to some coffee drinkers.
About the Author:
BookIt.com is an online travel company determined and dedicated to becoming the leader in providing travelers with the most intuitive online booking experience full of relevant information, helpful guides and travel tips. Find great deals on jamaica Hotels at BookIt.com!