WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL
We are thrilled to welcome you to the 8th Annual JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE FESTIVAL!
Immerse yourself in the world of coffee, rich cultural experiences and Jamaica’s natural beauty. We hope you enjoy the festivities, meet fellow coffee enthusiasts and savor every sip of our world-famous brew.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
The Tourism Enhancement Fund, through its Tourism Linkages Network, has partnered with key agriculture and tourism stakeholders over the years to package and promote coffee as an engaging tourism product that attracts visitors to the region for the distinct purpose of discovering Jamaica’s natural and culinary landscape. The festival is organised to support coffee industry stakeholders, the private sector and community businesses from the Blue Mountains, with the goal of strengthening links between the agriculture and tourism industries.
The Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival has been conceived as Jamaica’s flagship coffee event, showcasing the rich tradition of coffee production in the Blue Mountain region. It highlights Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, a variety of coffee-related products, and the diverse world of coffee. More than a mere event, the festival offers an exuberant celebration of all things coffee, unfolding over a 30-day extravaganza in March that embraces the triad of COFFEE, CULTURE and COMMUNITY.
We are pleased to share that the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival is back –bigger and better than ever! This year, the Festival Marketplace Day will be held at the stunning Hope Gardens on Saturday, 1st March 2025, continuing to embody our rich cultural heritage as we celebrate our homegrown coffee. The Marketplace Day will feature local arts and crafts, coffee purveyors, food stalls, tastings, live demonstrations and musical entertainment, bringing together local and international coffee connoisseurs, suppliers, food enthusiasts and other interested parties.
We invite you to embark on the journey of coffee. Begin your adventure in the lush Blue Mountains by visiting some of Jamaica’s renowned coffee farms, and sample the gastronomic delights along our celebrated Blue Mountain Culinary Trail—a comprehensive and thematic route that centres on coffee, culinary creations and culture. This experience highlights historical sites, restaurants, factories and attractions, whilst also promoting regional businesses.
Additionally, embark on an exhilarating adventure to “hike or cycle” through the majestic Blue Mountains to discover the extraordinary enchantment that makes Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee truly exceptional. Coffee aficionados are cordially invited to ‘Browse. Brew. Buy.’ at the exclusive Sip & Shop promotion, orchestrated in collaboration with distinguished retailers and charming cafés throughout the island. This thoughtfully curated initiative is expertly designed to awaken and captivate your senses with the unparalleled homegrown excellence of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and an imaginative array of coffee-inspired products, all accompanied by enticing special offers and substantial discounts for the discerning visitor.
FESTIVAL DAY AGENDA
WAKE UP WITH COFFEE featuring Hon. Edmund Bartlett, CD, MP, Hon. LLD, Minister of Tourism
COOKING WITH COFFEE featuring Chef Brian Lumley 9:00AM
HOST Jenny Jenny with Entertainment by DJ Delano, Renaissance, Main Stage 10:00AM
CHARLES TOWN MAROONS 10:45AM
OFFICIAL WALKTHROUGH OF FESTIVAL GROUNDS with Entertainment by Silver Birds Stell Orchestra and Fabian and Dancers 12:00PM
HOST Miss Kitty 2:00PM
BARISTA COMPETITION FINALS AND PRESENTATION 2:15PM
LIVE PERFORMANCE by Tanya Stephens 4:00PM
LIVE PERFORMANCE by Sanchez 5:00PM
FESTIVAL CLOSES 6:00PM
BARISTA COMPETITION
Coffee lovers were in for a treat as the preliminary round of the 2025 Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Barista Competition got underway on Wednesday, 19 February, with ten baristas vying for the coveted title of “Barista Champion”.
On the day, host Tavia Benjamin and judges Anika Jengelley, Chef Gariel Ferguson, and Cristopher Reckord visited Pink Apron, Deaf Can, Gilly’s Café, Cannonball, Café Blue Sovereign Centre, Starbucks, the Courtleigh Hotel, and Island Coffees Café. There, they sampled traditional lattes prepared by baristas Ricardo Jackson, Shamar McGibbon, Romell Bailey, Cornel Gordon, Rusean Waite, Shawell Vickers, Cynthia Cousins, Shamario Lloyd, Jovaa’n Gordon, and Carlous Young.
The preliminary round showcased Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee blended with passion, skill, and a touch of nerves, resulting in a burst of robust flavours and excitement in every cup. Judged on preparation style, visual appeal, and taste, each contestant was allotted three
minutes for set-up and seven minutes to craft a traditional latte.
The semi-final round continued on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Deaf Can! Café offering a scintillating coffee experience as the baristas demonstrated their unique talents and skills.
From the semi-finals emerged four finalists:
• Ricardo Jackson (Pink Apron)
• Shamar McGibbon (Cannonball Café)
• Romell Bailey (Café Blue)
• Carlous Young (Courtleigh Hotel)
Launched in 2018, this annual competition promotes excellence in coffee and advances the barista profession. It is also a major highlight of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival. The final round will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Hope Gardens, as part of the 8th staging of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival.
SIP N’ SHOP PROMOTION
The festival marketplace might be the highlight of the event for many, but the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival is a month-long experience with something for everyone!
Every weekend in March, you can participate in the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Sip N’ Shop Promotion, go on adventurous hikes and bike tours in the Blue Mountains, explore the farms, or indulge in a culinary trail that invites you to a diverse gastronomic extravagance unlike any other.
HOPE GARDENS
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES
Angelbeads by A PurpleJade
Devine Treasures
TaTonis Accessories Plus
Freeupclothingja
T&T fashion
MilfordRuby Leather Goods
Naddzzdezigns
GIFTED BY VERONICA
Ivory_Ja
CRAFT
Artisan Village at Falmouth
Creole
TC TENDER TOUCH FINE ARTS
Lennoxcoke art
Good’n Proper Creations
Charles Town Maroon Council
Kabreco Designs
Puzzles by SG
SUHRI & SWAY HAUS
Baeuty Lies Within
Bag an’ Pan
Devine Treasures
Dretals unique collection
Zanèsia— Ceramics.Candles.Crafts
Seasoned
SKINCARE
MLR Technology and Innovation
HoneyVera
SKIN BY INDIE - LUXURY ARTISANS
LiveSimple.Ansah.JojoBean
Fairy land organic products
Body By Roxanne & Co.
Hikeema Spa and Cosmetics
Princedbruce Fragrances
FESTIVAL VENDORS
Wicks by Grey
De La Enzie Essentials Ltd
Pukrup Cosmetics ltd
Starlight Chalet & Health Spa
Camgar Farm
Self Care @ Tiphanie’s
Eco Smart Natural Deodorant
FOOD
Genteel Brands Manufacturing Company
Smith’s Rum Cream
Paris Ruby Gourmet
Sweet Sista Candy Shack Limited
Everything Fresh Limited
Pebbles Pastries
Family Farms
Beyond 5 Beverages Co Ltd
Benjie’s Veggie Yatties
CAFE HIBISCUS
The Rib Kage Grill
Cocktailstogo876
Bubbles bottles brews & Beverages
The Bawd Kart
Crunchy Munchy
Roti Express
Chef Brian Lumley
Martin’s Jerk & Catering
Sweet Encounters Ja
COFFEE/CAFE
Cafe Blue
BREW BOX CAFE
Moy Hall Estate Coffee
TRUMPET TREE COFFEE FACTORY
ISLAND BLUE® COFFEE HOUSE
Mavis Bank Coffee Factory/Jablum
GreenBean
Cannonball Cafe
Blue Mountain Coffee Venture Ltd
Deaf Can! Coffee
Cafe Dolce
FARMER’S MARKET
Fannczyplantd
Lisa Fender
Jennifer Roberts
Will Frazer
Glenroy Crossman
Lois Green
Shared tent
BRAND
EXIM BANK JAMAICA
Green Culture Jamaica Limited
HEART TVET
RADA
Jambisco
JACRA
SPONSORS
JCTI
JTB
JSIF
GUARDIAN LIFE
PA BENJAMIN
SALADA
UTECH HI PRO
H&L AGRO
Jamaica Women In Coffee JACRA
Agri Linkages Exchange
Guardian Group JSIF
Hyundai
SAFETY & GUIDELINES
Follow all event signage and instructions from staff.
Please drink responsibly and respect the venue’s policies.
First Aid stations are located at:
THE BACKSTAGE AREA BEHIND THE MAIN STAGE
CONCURRENT WORKSHOPS & INFORMATION SESSIONS
2:00PM - 12:30PM (30 MINS)
A BRIEF HISTORY OF JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE with Alton Bedward, Coffee Orator
12:45AM - 1:15PM (30 MINS)
JAMAICA BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEE - THE ETHIOPIAN CONNECTION with MRS. YODIT HYLTON, HON. CONSUL FOR ETHIOPIA TO JAMAICA
1:30PM - 2:00PM (30 MINS)
AGAINST ALL ODDS - JAMAICA COFFEE GROWERS ASSOCIATION
1:00PM - 1:30PM (30 MINS)
HOW TO MAKE THE PERKFECT HOME BREW powered by PERK UP COFFEE
1:45PM - 2:30PM (30 MINS)
COFFEE CUPPING WITH JACRA
1:30PM - 2:00PM (30 MINS)
The Art of the Pour: A Quick Dive into Barista Skills powered by HEART NSTA Trust
2:30PM - 3:00PM 2:15PM - 2:30PM (30 MINS)
Mixology session powered by Jamaica Centre for
Jamaican WOMEN IN COFFEE
Tourism Innovation (JCTI)
CONTINUE TO THE NEXT PAGE
10 THINGS
to Know About Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is highly regulated and has a special certification from Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA)
Coffee was first introduced to the Blue Mountains in 1728 from Martinique by the then Governor of Jamaica, Sir Nicholas Lawes, who brought back approximately eight coffee seedlings.
Each Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee-bean is hand picked and individually inspected.
80% of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee produced is exported to Japan.
It takes approximately 5 years to produce coffee cherries.
01 04 07 02 05 08 10 03 06 09
There are three grades of Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee; number 1 premium beans are the most desired as they are the largest beans with the least defects.
In order for Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee beans to pass inspection they should have a moisture content of 10-11%.
Small Jamaican coffee trees take approximately 10 months to grow before they can be planted in the ground.
Only coffee grown at elevations of 3,000 ft to 5,500 ft is considered to be Jamaica Blue Mountain.
Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee is known to be the only coffee in the world that is packed in iconic wooden barrels.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS & PARTNERS