By Nordia Henry, Staff ReporterGREENWICH MOUNTAIN Estate is promising local coffee lovers a treat.
Greenwich Estate, nestled 4,000 feet up in the Blue Mountains, brags that its 'blue' bean will leave coffee drinkers satisfied.
"It is the first estate that sources its own beans to make coffee," says Doughlas Graham, owner of Palace Amusement and Greenwich Mountain Estate Limited, a fully integrated coffee estate.
Douglas notes that the seedlings are hand sown and plants are carefully potted to individually sealed packages. The nursery is thoroughly cared for from start to finish and at the factory most, if not all, of the high-tech machines are new. The end result is a bean that is pleasant to the eye, richer in colour with a unique brew.
The 'blue' bean is harvested and pulped on the same day at the pulpery farm in the Blue Mountains. The bean is then taken to the dry mill on South Camp Road in Kingston for further processing.
Greenwich Mountain Estate currently exports 90 per cent of its beans to the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and other parts of the world.
HOW TO TASTE
COFFEE LIKE A PRO
Professional tester David Evans has the task of tasting the various cups of coffee laid out on the table. Here's how he does it:
1. First he boils the water and then pours it over the coffee.
2. He uses the spoon to swirl the coffee around in the cup and then smells it.
3. Evans takes a spoonful of coffee and sucks it in fast so that he can pick up with his nostril that which cannot be picked up by mouth.
In the end, says Evans, "When testing the finished product you are looking for a smooth clean cup of coffee with good acidity, body and aroma."
I had the pleasure of sampling the Greenwich coffee. It was well refined, clean, mild, smooth, slightly sweet and full-bodied. It left me with the memory of an unforgettable aroma and signature aftertaste that is the essence of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee.
I recently had a chance to tour the factory, pulpery and farm of Greenwich Mountain Estate nestled 4,000 feet up in the Blue Mountains.
On first hearing about the tour I was prepared to be bored. However, besides being a breathtaking adventure, I also learned a bit about coffee production.
