Jamaica High Mountain Coffee
Milk chocolate, orange and nuts from Jamaica's High Mountain grade, brewed in a Chemex.
A Jamaica High Mountain coffee, grown a little lower on the island's slopes than its famous Blue Mountain neighbor. The cup is gentle and polished, with milk chocolate, orange and a nutty note. Brewed in a Chemex at 93°C.
Sensory profile
You should taste
How it unfolds
Where it sits
That is 70 mg in one serving (8 oz cup (240ml)), a concentration of 29.2 mg per 100 ml. The scale above ranks whole servings, and servings differ in size, so a larger drink can sit further right while being weaker cup for cup.
Editorial estimate, not a laboratory measurement
Related gear
| Brewing method | Chemex |
|---|---|
| Coffee-to-water ratio | 1:17 |
| Dose & yield | 14.4g → 240g |
| Grind size | Medium-fine |
| Water temperature | 199°F / 93°C |
| Target brew time | 2:45-4:00 depending on method |
| Serving | 8 oz cup (240ml) |
What you need
- 14.4 g whole coffee beans, freshly roasted
- 240 g filtered water at 93°C
Required gear
- Cone or flat-bottom dripper
- Paper filters
- Gooseneck kettle
- Burr grinder
- Scale accurate to 1 g
- Timer
- Server or carafe
Step-by-step protocol
- 0:00Rinse the paper filter with hot water, discard the rinse, and add 14.4 g ground medium-fine. Level the bed.
- 0:00Start the timer and pour 29 g of water at 93°C, wetting every part of the bed. Let it bloom.
- 0:45Pour in slow spirals up to 144 g total, keeping the bed submerged and the level steady.
- 1:30Final pour up to 240 g total. Give the dripper one gentle swirl to settle the bed flat.
- 3:23Drawdown should finish around here. Swirl the server and serve.
What it may be good for
The caffeine count
We list about 70 mg for an 8 oz cup.
A grade, not a brand
High Mountain describes how high a coffee was grown, not a particular farm, so two bags with the same name can taste different. Look for the farm or mill on the label if you want to know more.
What to watch out for
- Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you.
A Jamaica High Mountain coffee, grown a little lower on the island's slopes than its famous Blue Mountain neighbor. The cup is gentle and polished, with milk chocolate, orange and a nutty note. Brewed in a Chemex at 93°C.
Origin & Story
Jamaica sorts its coffee by how high it grows. The highest, above about 910 meters (3,000 feet) in the Blue Mountains, is the only coffee that can be sold as Jamaica Blue Mountain. Below that comes Jamaica High Mountain, grown between 460 and 910 meters (1,500 to 3,000 feet), and coffee grown below 460 meters is sold as Jamaica Supreme or Low Mountain.
Altitude matters because it changes how slowly the cherries ripen. Higher up, the air is cooler and the fruit takes longer, which gives the bean more time to build sugars and structure. High Mountain is the middle step of that ladder, and it shares much of the island's gentle character.
Typica, an old variety that has been grown on the island since the 1700s, makes up most of Jamaica's crop. Sir Nicholas Lawes, a governor of the island, is credited with bringing the first plants from Martinique, and 1728 is the date usually given. Jamaica produces only a tiny share of the world's coffee, about 0.1 percent.
The cup here is smooth and polished, with milk chocolate, a bright note of orange and a nutty finish. The acidity is gentle, which makes it an easy cup to drink.
A Chemex keeps it clean: 14.4 g of medium-fine coffee to 240 ml of water at 93°C.
Reading the Flavor Profile
| Axis | Score |
|---|---|
| Sweetness | 78/100 |
| Acidity | 58/100 |
| Bitterness | 20/100 |
| Body | 72/100 |
| Aroma | 84/100 |
These values are comparative editorial positions within our own catalog, calibrated so entries can be ranked against each other. They are not laboratory measurements.
How much caffeine is in Jamaica High Mountain Coffee?
One serving, 8 oz cup (240ml), contains approximately 70 mg of caffeine.
What temperature should I use for Jamaica High Mountain Coffee?
Target 93°C (199°F).
How long should Jamaica High Mountain Coffee be extracted?
Timing: 2:45-4:00 depending on method. Method: Chemex. Ratio: 60g coffee per Liter of water. Grind or leaf format: Medium-fine.
What is the difference between Blue Mountain and High Mountain coffee?
Altitude and place. Jamaica Blue Mountain is grown above about 910 meters (3,000 feet) in four parishes of the Blue Mountains. Jamaica High Mountain is grown between 460 and 910 meters (1,500 to 3,000 feet).
What does Jamaica Supreme mean?
It is a name for Jamaican coffee grown below 460 meters (1,500 feet), sold as Jamaica Supreme or Low Mountain.
Who should avoid Jamaica High Mountain Coffee?
Caffeine affects everyone differently. If you are pregnant or nursing, sensitive to caffeine, or have been told to limit it, check with your doctor about how much is right for you. This information is educational and is not medical advice. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, managing a cardiac or gastrointestinal condition, or taking prescription medication, discuss caffeine and botanical intake with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes.
What people say
Hario V60 Size 02 Ceramic Dripper
In this recipe: Cone or flat-bottom dripper
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