Jamaica’s Blue Mountain Coffee Festival is set to return this spring, celebrating one of the world’s most sought-after coffee beans. The sixth annual festival marketplace will take place on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at the historic Newcastle Parade Grounds in St. Andrew, Jamaica.

The Blue Mountain Coffee, regarded as one of the best coffees in the world, is grown on the Blue and John Crow Mountains in eastern Jamaica. The mountain range, which is the longest on the island and one of the highest peaks in the Caribbean, boasts the ideal climatic conditions for the coffee beans to flourish. It is also one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world, thanks to consumer demand for the specialty coffee.

Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee

This highly anticipated annual coffee festival aims to provide the ultimate experience for coffee enthusiasts, and it will be an immersive experience from farm to cup (and plate). Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about Jamaican cuisine, coffee, and culture, with indigenous arts and crafts showcases, reggae music performances, and tours to some of Jamaica’s best-kept secrets.

The Festival Marketplace will showcase coffee-related products, food stalls, tastings, demonstrations, and workshops. The day will open with cultural presentations, include a Conversation with Coffee panel discussion, Barista Competition finals, as well as live entertainment.

Throughout March, coffee enthusiasts can enjoy the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival SIP and SHOP experiences, which include culinary trails, farm tours, or hike and bike the Blue Mountains as part of the month-long celebrations. The Blue Mountain Culinary Trail invites visitors to indulge in Jamaica’s delicious cuisine at a number of restaurants, cafes, and hotels, all set at over 3,000 feet above sea level.

The one-of-a-kind festival provides farmers, businesses, and vendors with the opportunity to share their produce and demonstrate the versatility of the coffee. With several performances, panel talks, and competitions scheduled, coffee entrepreneurs and consumers from all over the world have a lot to look forward to.

To ensure that the coffee maintains its quality standard, Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is certified by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA). Only coffee that is grown between 3,000 and 5,000 feet can be labelled as Blue Mountain Coffee, anything below that is classified as Jamaica High Mountain Coffee.

This year’s festival promises to be an exciting and unforgettable experience for all coffee lovers. The festival’s location, set against the stunning backdrop of the Blue and John Crow Mountains, will create an enchanting atmosphere, providing visitors with a unique and memorable experience.

For further information about Jamaica, including travel and accommodation details, visit https://www.visitjamaica.com/.

Written by: Stephen Peters

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