Joe Jefferson

If you ask any coffee drinker what is the best coffee in the world, many would reply “Jamaica Blue Mountain” coffee. And most would provide this answer without ever having actually tried the coffee – given its expense. Here we explain the reasons for the pervasive opinion that Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee deserves the top ranking among premium coffees.

With little question, Kenyan coffee is the renowned leader of the African coffees. Here we take a closer look at the history and cultivation of Kenya’s premium coffee – Kenya AA.

Ethiopia is widely regarded as the birthplace of human coffee consumption. Thriving in its natural environment, Ethiopian coffee is harvested primarily even today from wild trees or small garden plots. Ethiopia produces two well known premium Arabica coffees: Ethiopian Harrar and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.

From the western highlands of Cameroon, West African farmers have organized themselves to organically produce a fine Arabica coffee named after their region -- Boyo. The pleasing aroma, mellow flavor and rich full body distinguish this fine coffee, which arises from extensive quality control as well as the region’s nutrient rich volcanic soil and plentiful sunshine.

Premium coffees are most often classified by their geographic origin -- for example, Kenyan AA coffee or Sumatran coffee. The term "peaberry," though, is not a geographic identifier for coffee. Rather, the designation of a coffee as a "peaberry" relates to the type of coffee bean itself.