The Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains lie to the north of
Jamaica's capital, Kingston. A spectacular
natural wonder, the mountains are known as
"blue" due to their eerie bluish cast,
especially when surrounded by fog. They run
for 28 miles across the mid-eastern portion
of the island and contain Jamaica's highest
points of elevation. Blue Mountain Peak, at
7,402 feet or 2,256m, is the highest point in
the country.
Whitfield Hall is situated directly on the way to
the Peak, and we are happy to arrange for
guides to accompany guests to the very top.
Guests always say that the hours it takes to
hike there, and the hours to hike back are
well worth it. A hike to the Peak is an
unforgettable experience.
The Blue Mountains lie to the north of
Jamaica's capital, Kingston. A spectacular
natural wonder, the mountains are known as
"blue" due to their eerie bluish cast,
especially when surrounded by fog. They run
for 28 miles across the mid-eastern portion
of the island and contain Jamaica's highest
points of elevation. Blue Mountain Peak, at
7,402 feet or 2,256m, is the highest point in
the country.
Whitfield Hall is situated directly on the way to
the Peak, and we are happy to arrange for
guides to accompany guests to the very top.
Guests always say that the hours it takes to
hike there, and the hours to hike back are
well worth it. A hike to the Peak is an
unforgettable experience.
The Blue Mountain and John Crow Mountain National Parks
span 192,000 acres.This national treasure, containing the
only rainforest in Jamaica and a rich diversity of flora and
fauna, is protected by the state. Called a "virtual Garden of
Eden" by Frommers, it provides a safe haven for 800 species
of endemic plants, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of
flowering plants, including the Chusquea abietifolia which
blooms once every 33 years.
Trekkers, tourists, and bird watchers from all over the
world come to climb, walk, and even bicycle through this
gorgeous terrain. Often hikers set out in the middle of the
night so they can arrive at the Peak at sunrise and witness a
breathtaking sunrise. On a clear day you can see both the
north and south coasts of Jamaica.
span 192,000 acres.This national treasure, containing the
only rainforest in Jamaica and a rich diversity of flora and
fauna, is protected by the state. Called a "virtual Garden of
Eden" by Frommers, it provides a safe haven for 800 species
of endemic plants, 200 species of birds, and 500 species of
flowering plants, including the Chusquea abietifolia which
blooms once every 33 years.
Trekkers, tourists, and bird watchers from all over the
world come to climb, walk, and even bicycle through this
gorgeous terrain. Often hikers set out in the middle of the
night so they can arrive at the Peak at sunrise and witness a
breathtaking sunrise. On a clear day you can see both the
north and south coasts of Jamaica.
The Blue Mountains have played an important role in Jamaica's political and
economic history. They were home to the famous Maroons, men and women
who escaped from slavery and sought refuge in the mountains. From the
Blue Mountains, many brave Maroons, including Queen Nanny of the
Maroons (a National Hero of Jamaica) fended off British forces. Eventually,
the British signed a treaty with the Maroons rather than continue their
unsuccessful military campaigns. Economically, the Blue Mountains play a
vital role as the home to one of Jamaica's most legendary exports -- Blue
Mountain coffee.
economic history. They were home to the famous Maroons, men and women
who escaped from slavery and sought refuge in the mountains. From the
Blue Mountains, many brave Maroons, including Queen Nanny of the
Maroons (a National Hero of Jamaica) fended off British forces. Eventually,
the British signed a treaty with the Maroons rather than continue their
unsuccessful military campaigns. Economically, the Blue Mountains play a
vital role as the home to one of Jamaica's most legendary exports -- Blue
Mountain coffee.
Blue Mountain Coffee
In 1728 Arabica coffee plants were first introduced to Jamaica by the former Governor, Sir
Nicholas Lawes. Little did the colonials realize that the coffee grown in the Blue Mountains
would eventually come to be known as the world's finest -- and one of the most expensive.
Blue Mountain coffee is a deliciously rich coffee which at the same time is surprisingly mild.
Coffee connoisseurs the world over prize it for its balanced, vibrant flavor with low acidity. The
unusual and rare quality of the coffee is obtained from a variety of factors: the amount of rain in
the mountains (300 inches annually), the soil, the particular climate, and the limited amount of
sunshine. Blue Mountain coffee berries take twice as long as other coffee berries to mature.
This prolonged time on the plant makes for the rich, mild flavor once it is processed, roasted,
and brewed. The prolonged maturation process, along with the remoteness of the region,
contributes to the very high cost of Blue Mountain coffee. In the United States, you can expect to
pay $50 dollars a pound; in Europe up to 50 euros a pound; and in Japan more than $80 a
pound. (But you can sample a cup of Blue Mountain coffee at Whitfield Hall for much less than
that!)
In 1728 Arabica coffee plants were first introduced to Jamaica by the former Governor, Sir
Nicholas Lawes. Little did the colonials realize that the coffee grown in the Blue Mountains
would eventually come to be known as the world's finest -- and one of the most expensive.
Blue Mountain coffee is a deliciously rich coffee which at the same time is surprisingly mild.
Coffee connoisseurs the world over prize it for its balanced, vibrant flavor with low acidity. The
unusual and rare quality of the coffee is obtained from a variety of factors: the amount of rain in
the mountains (300 inches annually), the soil, the particular climate, and the limited amount of
sunshine. Blue Mountain coffee berries take twice as long as other coffee berries to mature.
This prolonged time on the plant makes for the rich, mild flavor once it is processed, roasted,
and brewed. The prolonged maturation process, along with the remoteness of the region,
contributes to the very high cost of Blue Mountain coffee. In the United States, you can expect to
pay $50 dollars a pound; in Europe up to 50 euros a pound; and in Japan more than $80 a
pound. (But you can sample a cup of Blue Mountain coffee at Whitfield Hall for much less than
that!)
Blue Mountain coffee is very strictly regulated by the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board. Only coffee grown within
certain regions of the Blue Mountains, at elevations higher than 2,000 feet, on approved farms, win the Coffee
Industry Board's official recognition as Blue Mountain Coffee. Genuine Blue Mountain coffee can only be
processed and roasted by certain factories. Whitfield Hall belongs to a trio of farms, RSW Estates, (Resource,
Sherwood, and Whitfield Hall) which produces "estate" Blue Mountain coffee, an even more exclusive and
quality-controlled product. Order RSW Estates coffee in the United States from M'Yamaye by visiting their
website or emailing them directly. You can also purchase
RSW coffee during your visit to Whitfield Hall.
certain regions of the Blue Mountains, at elevations higher than 2,000 feet, on approved farms, win the Coffee
Industry Board's official recognition as Blue Mountain Coffee. Genuine Blue Mountain coffee can only be
processed and roasted by certain factories. Whitfield Hall belongs to a trio of farms, RSW Estates, (Resource,
Sherwood, and Whitfield Hall) which produces "estate" Blue Mountain coffee, an even more exclusive and
quality-controlled product. Order RSW Estates coffee in the United States from M'Yamaye by visiting their
website or emailing them directly. You can also purchase
RSW coffee during your visit to Whitfield Hall.
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Whitfield Hall
Blue Mountain Coffee & Lodging
St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica
+1.876.878.0514
bookings@whitfieldhall.com
St. Thomas Parish, Jamaica
+1.876.878.0514
bookings@whitfieldhall.com