Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Day

What Is Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee Day?

January 9th is "Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day" in Japan, commemorating the day in 1967 when Blue Mountain coffee was shipped in bulk from the port of Kingston, Jamaica, to Japan for the very first time.

The First Large Shipment to Japan

This shipment was more than a simple trade deal -- it was a historic event for both countries.

• The scale of the shipment: 1,400 sacks of coffee beans, each weighing roughly 60 kilograms, a substantial shipment for its time
• The scale of the purchase: a Japanese company bought more than 60% of Jamaica's 1966/67 coffee crop, and this is said to have been the first shipment of that purchase
• Local reaction: the news was such a sensation that it made the front page of local newspapers in Jamaica at the time

A Bond Between Producer and Consumer That Continues Today

This shipment marked the start of a deepening relationship between Jamaica and Japan as producer and consumer, and Japan went on to become the largest market for Jamaican coffee. The day was established by the Jamaica Coffee Importers Association of Japan, which works to maintain and improve the quality of imported Jamaican coffee, and it is said to have been certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association in 2018. Japan remains the largest market for Jamaican coffee today.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Brew a cup of Blue Mountain coffee and enjoy it for yourself
• Learn about the history of the coffee relationship between Jamaica and Japan
• Take note of the distinctive aroma and flavor characteristics of Blue Mountain coffee
• Explore what other coffee-growing regions exist around the world

A Friendship Built Across the Ocean, Through Coffee

The relationship between Japan and Jamaica, which began with coffee beans loaded onto a single ship, is still carried on today, more than 50 years later, as a cup beloved by many. Let January 9th be a chance to reflect, alongside its rich aroma, on the history that connected these two nations.