Those who know Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee know that it is the most expensive and highest quality of all coffee beans, thanks to its perfectly balanced flavour. Blue Mountain has the ideal climatic conditions for growing coffee thanks to its tropical climate with humid, foggy weather, high altitude and mineral-rich volcanic soil. It is currently grown on only 6,000 hectares of land in Jamaica at altitudes of 1300-1900 metres above sea level in the Portland areas of St Andrew, St Thomas and St Mary. There are about 25,000 small farmers. Approximately 80% of this coffee is currently exported to Japan. Blue Mountain coffee is subject to strict quality controls in the area. A local committee of coffee experts issues a certificate of authenticity to genuine beans destined for export.