| While the popularity of Colombian coffee is no | | | | Island ProducersCaribbean islands are known for |
| secret, many countries in and around the | | | | sun and sand, so some visitors overlook their |
| Caribbean also produce this flavorful bean. Most | | | | mountainous interiors. Others enjoy hiking and |
| coffee-growing islands in the Caribbean, however, | | | | climbing through these rougher regions. But |
| do not produce quantities large enough to export | | | | whatever visitors long to do on their Caribbean |
| on a wide scale, like the growing operations in | | | | vacations, they can anticipate a stimulating |
| Central and South America, which serve markets | | | | beverage to enjoy alongside the activity.Jamaica is |
| all over the world.Growing HistoryCoffee was | | | | perhaps one of the best-known producers of |
| discovered in Africa, but today this drink is popular | | | | Caribbean coffee. Its Blue Mountain area produces |
| worldwide. It was passed from the Ethiopians to | | | | full-bodied and highly aromatic beans. However, if |
| the Ottoman Turks of Constantinople and even | | | | you're visiting Jamaica, be wary of roadside |
| to Pope Clement VIII in Italy, who is said to have | | | | vendors selling impostor Blue Mountain coffee. Still, |
| baptized the drink. There are many variations in | | | | true-blue coffee makes a great souvenir for |
| the story of how the crop was transplanted to | | | | those who love the drink.The U.S. territory of |
| the Caribbean, but the region's land turned out to | | | | Puerto Rico is also a great island to visit for |
| be ideal for growing this unique plant.The type of | | | | coffee, but most Puerto Rican coffee is |
| coffee plant most often grown in the Caribbean | | | | consumed on the island. Some of the more |
| region is called "Arabica" and was developed from | | | | popular Puerto Rican coffees are known for their |
| plants grown in Saudi Arabia, hence the name. | | | | creamy taste. Aficionados in particular may want |
| Coffee can be grown in many different climates, | | | | to taste these island brews while taking in a bit of |
| but each climate will create beans with subtle | | | | the countryside since the drink can be difficult to |
| taste variations.High altitudes are particularly | | | | come by offshore.The island of Hispaniola is home |
| important when growing coffee, which means | | | | to two countries, and each produces fine coffee. |
| that mountainous islands are usually better-known | | | | The Dominican Republic is one of the Caribbean's |
| for their coffee than those with more level | | | | largest coffee producers, and Haiti is enjoying a |
| terrain. The higher the altitude, the more time the | | | | chance to make a name for itself as well. Fans of |
| coffee plant will require to mature, but beans | | | | the dark roast should try the sweet Dominican |
| grown under these conditions are full and dense | | | | coffee, while Haitian blends offer a more mellow |
| and yield the richest flavor.Similarly, the geography | | | | taste, with plenty of flavors to suit many |
| of many Caribbean islands has played an | | | | palates.For those outside the United States, you |
| important part in creating delicious coffee. Warm | | | | may be able to find imported Cuban coffee, which |
| weather and volcanic soils combine to create | | | | is known for a heavy body and particularly fine |
| perfect growing conditions for these plants, and | | | | dark roasts. However, these coffee products are |
| every island processes the results differently.Top | | | | nearly always exported to Europe and Japan. |