FAQ

Find answers to our most common questions here. Can't seem to find what you're looking for? Scroll to the bottom of the page and fill out the contact form. We're happy to help!

About Us

Are you open to the public?

We always want to connect with our customers, big or small. On the other hand, we are a small business and travel a lot to meet with our partners, so we are not always open. If you would like to visit us, please call us in advance to make sure we are present. We’d be happy to connect.

What other services does JA Coffee offer?

As we strive to support our customers and partners, we want to help as much as we can. We offer a few other services such as coffee cupping, coffee farm visits and even connecting you with a third party roasting company if you need roasting to be done. We can also support you with green coffee sourcing best practices and warehousing and logistics.

Click here to learn more about our services.

Are your coffees fair-trade?

When selecting our coffees we always ensure that they are sustainably produced and ethically traded. If you would like certifications on specific coffees, please contact us!

Do you sell burlap coffee sacks or empty Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee Barrels?

We could, but please contact us for more information.

Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee

Can I use Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee in my espresso machine?

Yes of course, Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is delicious in any brewing method. Just be mindful that the flavors for Jamaica Blue Moutain are very subtle and might not be as expressive in an espresso machine. As JBM is usually roasted to a medium level, the beans are not oily and should not damage your machine.

Is your Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Real?

Yes. JA Coffee is an official importer and distributor of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee. We hold an import licence and a Trademark user licence from the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA). All our products are certified and verified by JACRA for their authenticity.

Where are the Jamaica Blue Mountains?

The Jamaica Blue Mountains are located on the easter side of the Island of Jamaica, West indies in the Carribean. They are a world and national heritage site protected by the UNESCO and are withing the Jamaican parishes of Saint-Andrew, Saint-Thomas, Sainte-Mary and Portland. The elevation of the start at sea level and the highest point is at 2256 m (7402 ft) Any coffee certified as Jamaica Blue Mountain must come from this area and must be grown within the elevation of 3000 to 5500 feets above sea level.

What is the minimum amount of Jamaica Blue Mountain (JBM) in a Blend?

JACRA stipulates that in order to be called a Jamaica Blue Mountain Blend, there must be at least 30% of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee in the blend.

What is a "peaberry" coffee bean?

Usually, the coffee cherry is composed of two seeds. As the seeds grow, they push against each other in their confined space and become flat on one side. But frequently, one seed fails to develop and the remaining seed grows to fill the space and becomes round. This occurs in about 4 to 8% of all coffee cherries.

Shipping & Orders

Do you ship overseas?

Yes, we ship all over the world. Shipping costs will apply, and will be added at checkout.

How long will it take to get my order?

It depends on your location. If you are in the US or Canada, it can take between 2 to 7 business days to arrive. Overseas deliveries can take anywhere from 7-16 days. Check out your confirmation email for delivery details and tracking code.

What shipping carriers do you use?

We use some of the best and most reliable shipping companies in the market. This includes, Fedex, UPS, DHL and other third party shipping companies such as Amazon.

Can I return my coffee?

We always make sure the products we ship are in optimal condition. For hygienic reasons food items such as Coffee and Chocolates are final sales and cannot be exchanged.

What if my order was damaged in transit?

Please open and inspect your package as soon as you receive it. If your shipment was damaged or you received incorrect merchandise, please email info@jacoffee.ca with photos as soon as possible and we will take care of the issue. Damaged merchandise must be reported within two weeks of delivery.

My order was marked as delivered but I did not receive it. What can I do?

Sometimes carriers like USPS and FedEx mixup packages. Most often, they arrive shortly after they were marked as delivered. We also recommend thoroughly checking your address, asking neighbors if they accidentally received it, and contacting the shipping carrier directly to file a claim if it’s missing.

How do full bags of green coffee ship?

Full bags of coffee (59–70kg), will be stacked, wrapped, and strapped onto a wooden pallet. Even single full-bag orders will typically need to be shipped on a pallet. Green Jamaica Blue Mountain® Coffee ships in wooden barrels. The coffee is palletized in our warehouse, and we routinely inspect the quality as well as provide customer support upon receipt of the pallet.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept PayPal, and all credit cards. We do not accept checks or money orders.

Do you have wholesale pricing?

Yes, If you are a commercial coffee roastery and would like to order larger quantities of coffee, create an account with us to access our latest offerings and pricing.

Learn about Coffee

What is green coffee?

Green coffee is the name for coffee that has not yet been roasted. Green coffee is extracted from the seeds of the coffee cherry, freed from the pulp and dried.

How is green coffee roasted?

The green coffee is heated dry at hot temperatures and thus roasted. To ensure that the coffee is roasted evenly from the inside to the outside and on all sides, specific coffee roasters are used.

For how long are my coffee beans good?

Green coffee beans are good for a year non-roasted. For roasted coffee beans, we recommend consuming as soon as you open the bag for maximum freshness.

How should I store my green coffee?

Coffee wants a cool, dry environment that is out of the sun and away from areas where water, dirt, rodents, or insects can cause damage (i.e. preferably off the ground and away from food prep or storage). Optimal temperature should be around 19 celsius and optimal humidity should be around 55 percent.

How should I store roasted coffee?

As with green coffee beans, proper storage is key to maintaining freshness for as long as possible. After roasting the beans you should allow them to rest and cool for four to six hours. Once the roasted beans have rested they should be stored in a sealed, dry container away from spices and strong odours.

What does the cupping score mean?

Cupping scores indicate the quality of brew the bean produces. Points are awarded in 10 different categories, such as fragrance/aroma, flavour, body, acidity, and balance. They are summed to achieve a score on a scale of 60-100, with anything over 80 considered “specialty” grade coffee.

What is the difference between Single Origin & Single Estate?

Single origin refers to a coffee that is sourced from one single region or country. This means that the coffee has not been blended with beans from a different country or region. Single Estate takes it one step further and refers to coffee that is from a specific farm. Since its origin can be traced to the farm, there is assurance that the beans will be consistent and of the highest quality. Sometimes it can be broken down even further into micro lots, which are beans that are from a specific lot on a specific farm.

Why is altitude important to coffee production?

Coffee grows and produces fruit best in climates where the daytime temperature is not too hot, and the nighttime temperature does not freeze. The conditions are found in tropical regions at high altitude. So altitude is really about temperature. Coffee grows in a narrow band (the “Coffee Belt”) of latitudes near the Equator, between 25 degrees North and 30 degrees South.

Other questions? Contact us here