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Jamaican Blue Mountain Wallenford Estate Coffee

Unless you are a true coffee connoisseur, the title of this article may have you wondering is there really a blend of coffee bean with such a long and distinguished sounding name? There is, and this type of premium Jamaican coffee delivers a unique flavor that justifies its reputation - and its name.

Wallenford estate coffee is grown in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica, which is located in the eastern part of the Caribbean island. The climactic conditions of this region are ideal for growing a premium coffee bean. Coffee grown at high altitudes is always sought after, and the Blue Mountains of Jamaica reach a peak of 7400 feet, making Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee one of the highest grown in the world.

Another distinguishing factor about this climate is the fog that shrouds the plants every day, causing them to mature more slowly than average. This makes the process of growing and harvesting the beans slower and more labor intensive than anywhere else. Finally, the coffee is shipped in basswood barrels, rather than in the burlap bags used everywhere else. Blue Mountain Wallenford Estate is one of the rarest and most expensive coffee beans in the world.

Because of the renown of Blue Mountain coffee, it is important to know that you are getting the real thing. There are many cheaper Jamaican coffees on the market. Some are even quite good, but they don’t compare with Blue Mountain. To ensure that standards are met, the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board must approve and certify all Blue Mountain coffee. This approval is by no means a mere formality given to all coffee producers; standards are rigorously enforced to preserve the integrity of Jamaica’s truly premium coffees.

Just as all Jamaican coffee is not Blue Mountain, not all Blue Mountain coffee is Wallenford estate, which has long been considered the best of the best of Jamaican coffee. Jamaican Blue Mountain Wallenford Estate coffee is rightfully one of the most prized in the world. While it is not cheap, experts and true lovers of the beverage believe it’s well worth the cost.

Coffee Glossary

Wallenford Estate. At one time the most celebrated and best of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. Now simply any Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee from the Wallensford mill.

Washed Coffee also Wet-Processed Coffee.

Wet-Processed Coffee, Wet Method Coffee, Washed Coffee. Coffee prepared by removing the skin and pulp from the bean while the coffee fruit is still moist. Most of the world’s great coffees are processed by the wet method, which generally intensifies acidity. In the traditional wet process, the coffee skins are removed (pulping), the skinned beans are allowed to sit in tanks where enzymes loosen the sticky fruit pulp or mucilage (fermentation), after which the loosened fruit is washed off the beans (washing).

Whole-Bean Coffee. Coffee that has been roasted but not yet ground.

Read more about best espresso coffee maker.

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