Jamaican Blue Mountain

by Gregory Paul Houtz on January 17, 2021

I purcased this almost 1 year ago. I just roasted the first batch of it. This is the Mavis Bank Jamaica Blue Mountain. I have to say this coffee is right up there with the best I have ever tasted. Very rich, complex satisfying and pleasant taste. Green coffee beans last for 2 years or more, so this is probably the same as if I had roasted it when I bought it. I waited because I was still learning the ins and outs of my roaster, and how to get a proper roaste for an expensive bean. I practised on Ethiopia Yergacheffe and Yemen Mokha, and others, and finished my master class with a variety of Gesha coffees from Colombia and Panama, that I paid between $18.00 and $20.00 per lb. green. Three days ago I finally decided I have mastered the process enough to be able to roast a $40.00 bean with little chance of ruining it. As usual with a new bean, the roast was a tiny bit unpredictable, next time I will get it perfect with this Mavis Bank, the ROR got a little away from me at the end, but I dropped the beans at exactly 402 degrees F, and there was ALMOST NO CHAFF. Very strange. I usually get at least 2 tablespoons, maybe 1/4 cup of chaff, in this case, less than a teaspoon. I waited 1 hour (which should have done nothing) before cupping it, and it was already starting to improve. 1 hour after roast, the coffee was better than most Kenya, Ethiopia, or Sumatran coffees I have roasted. The next day this coffee was absolutely superb! When I broke open the bag, the area filled with the rich living aroma of coffee beans reaching their peak. When I ground the coffee, it intensified. I could stand there for 10 minutes just enjoying the aroma from the beans. I did a nice Americano based on a double espresso and was so very happy. 24 hours after roasting, this coffee was indistinguishable in level of quality from the very best coffees I have every had. Today, nearly three days later, it is even better, if that is possible. I usually drink about 1/2 of any cup of coffee I make, and then it is too cool to drink so I dump it. I drink this all the way to the bottom, and it doesn't last long enough to get cool. I figure at $40.00 per lb + ship, this is going to end up being about $.80 per cup. That is truly a bargain, especially since you just about *cannot* get this cup of coffee any other way. Finally, I believe this is real thing because there is so much fake Jamaica Blue Mountain out there. Kudos Coffee Bean Corral!!

by Mywifeisxinjie on October 13, 2020

Easily the best coffee! I roast it towards close to the end of 1st crack around city roast level. Cupping after 1 day of the roast, it still has some undeveloped flavors. After 2 days, it begins to show the blue mountain magic. No matter which level of roast you like, I suggest roasting it slowly and let it develop for a couple of days, you will get the best results.

by Don on October 2, 2020

HAVING ROASTED COFFEE SINCE 1985 (qualifier) This particular batch that I have does not live up to my expectations as JBM. The smoothness is minimal. The body is also. Disappointing for sure. Perhaps next time, authentic Wallenford Estate JBM?? For $36 per lb, I expected a lot more.

by Dave Elliott on September 22, 2020

Best JBM we've had since before the hurricane. Fine tuning my roast but enjoying every pot. I'll be re-ordering, mostly for special occasions. I just WISH I could drink it every day!

by Jc Nadel on June 24, 2020

The best attributes of the best coffees all in one.

by Elizabeth Nowak on June 8, 2020

Love this coffee!

by Dennis Yorimoto on March 13, 2020

Roasted 2 days ago med roast to 430 degrees F. Very nice. Will try roasting to 440 or 450. Definitely worth buying.

by Harry Fix on December 14, 2019

For me I’d give it 3.5 stars. If it wasn’t so expensive I’d give it 4 stars. I like it. It’s gives me a fantastic “pick-me-up” in the morning. However for the price I’d prefer it to be smoother. I roasted just to beginning of second crack. The beans were plump and beautiful. The aroma is fabulous. I had to bring the temperature up gradually as the beans tended to roast quick. Overall it’s good but given its price and reputation I expected better.

by Martin Lederman on October 29, 2019

This is a fine coffee but, I’m afraid, not worth the premium. Good aroma and mild flavor. I roasted it to one minute 30 seconds beyond first crack which occurred 16 minutes into the roasting on a Behmor roaster at P5 (up to 305 degrees.). Medium roast. It’s not the fault of the bean but the roaster does not allow visual check of the process so I cannot be sure when to stop the roast. But that’s the roaster’s problem and not the bean. In general, I would advise to get 5 pounds of something else at the same price as 1 pound of this good coffee.

by Brighton Coffeehouse on October 15, 2019

Fantastic JBM. We are selling this as a pour over at our cafe. We roast to a finish temp of 430F just before SC. We allow a slow dry to FC in about 10 minutes and a final temp at about 15:30 minutes. It has a sweet and spicy aroma out of the roaster. It is well balanced and mild, medium bodied. While it may seem like middle of the road on acidity, body, balance...that is what is so wonderful. It has an initial nutty flavor with chocolates and spice notes. You may smell a tea fragrance or slight rootbeer essence as it cools in the cup. Very pleasant and worth the experience.

by Brian Gunnison on September 14, 2019

Its just ordinary coffee, not worth the price at all. I've roasted beans from all over the world and this has no special qualities.

by Douglas Green on March 22, 2019

This coffee seems to be one of the best to medium roast to bring out chocolate and caramel. I roast and end 6 batches between first and second crack and blend them. I have a drum roaster and use 300g each roast. I roast to temps instead of time. I have altered my roasting profile to get about 20 minutes between first and second crack.

by Anonymous on April 14, 2009

I'm giving this coffee the highest marks. I found the coffee absolutely amazing. I was worried that the price was just for a limited supply coffee on the market. My wife treated me to this for my birthday and I now know that this is some truly great coffee. I roasted it just a few seconds into the second crack and rested it two days. Then I brewed it in an old pour over comet drip pot and it yielded such a wonderful cup that I could not believe it. Very oily in the cup with wonderful nuttiness and a floral bouquet that was like a tropic paradise. I roasted it lighter also. Good, but I highly recommend a full city+ roast(amazing!!) For espresso geeks( I am Silvia+Rocky) This absolutely was the best shot of espresso in my seven years as a coffee geek. I'm just sorry I can't afford this more often. Do it, you won't be sorry!