Driven by its founding spirit to deliver delicious coffee to as many people as possible, the UCC Group operates globally across the entire coffee value chain, from cultivation and raw material procurement to research and development, manufacturing, distribution, and sales.
Within this framework, UCC addresses challenges in the coffee industry and promotes sustainability. Since 2001, particularly in coffee-producing regions, UCC has strived to improve coffee quality and enhance producers' livelihoods through initiatives such as hosting the "UCC Quality Contest," providing agricultural technical support, and sourcing sustainable raw materials, fostering collaboration with producing countries.

In Jamaica, UCC established a directly managed farm in the "Blue Mountain Area" in 1981, marking its 40th anniversary this year. Over these four decades, UCC has faced harsh natural conditions, including hurricanes, extreme heat, and droughts, while contributing to the quality improvement of Blue Mountain coffee and ensuring a stable supply to the Japanese market.
Currently, approximately 130,000 coffee trees are cultivated across a total area of about 100 hectares. UCC pursues the highest quality of Blue Mountain coffee from the cultivation stage, implementing agricultural techniques that prioritize safety, security, and environmental protection. Beyond its own farm, UCC also provides technical guidance and education to neighboring farmers, contributing to quality enhancement and the revitalization of the local Jamaican community.

Only coffee cultivated in the designated "Blue Mountain Area," a rugged mountainous region above 800 meters in altitude on the eastern side of Jamaica's Blue Mountains (2,256m), can be called "Blue Mountain Coffee," as stipulated by the Jamaica Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (JACRA)*1. Renowned as the "King of Coffee" for its superior quality, elegant aroma, and balanced flavor, Blue Mountain coffee captivates coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

The "UCC Directly Managed Blue Mountain Coffee Farm" is situated on steep mountain slopes on the western side of the Blue Mountain Area. The daily temperature difference, averaging over 8°C, causes the beans to repeatedly contract and expand, resulting in a firm texture and rich body. The slightly acidic soil, abundant rainfall, and frequent mist that gives the mountains their name, "Blue Mountain," provide ideal conditions, supplying ample moisture to both the coffee trees and the soil.

At the directly managed farm, all processes, from cultivation and harvesting to processing and sorting, are performed manually. Furthermore, after grading and tasting, the beans undergo rigorous quality inspections by JACRA. Simultaneously, UCC's own coffee tasters in Japan conduct quality checks, and only beans that pass both inspections are exported.

■ Details: "UCC Directly Managed Farm Blue Mountain No.1 Rose Hill"
UCC Cafe Mercato, UCC's retail-only coffee bean store, offers a selection of coffee beans from around the world. Previously featuring coffees from UCC's directly managed farms and first-place winners of the "UCC Quality Contest," the store is now offering "UCC Directly Managed Farm Blue Mountain No.1 Rose Hill" in limited quantities starting December 1st (Wed.).
The Blue Mountain coffee sold this time is 100% "No.1" grade beans cultivated in the Rose Hill area of the directly managed farm. Unusually for Blue Mountain coffee, it uses beans harvested from a single estate.

• Sales Start Date: December 1st, 2021 (Wed.) *Limited quantity, available until sold out.
• Sales Locations: 20 "UCC Cafe Mercato" stores and 2 "Cafe Noval" stores, totaling 22 locations.
• Price: 3,888 yen (tax included) per 100g *At some stores with attached cafes, it is offered at 1,122 yen (tax included) per cup.
• Flavor Profile: Fruity notes reminiscent of apple, with a sweetness like Japanese brown sugar (wasanbon). A harmonious taste.

Additionally, "UCC Directly Managed Farm Blue Mountain No.1 Rose Hill Blend" (1,944 yen including tax / 100g) will also be available.

■ Related URLs
• Jamaica 40th Anniversary Special Site: https://www.ucc.co.jp/bluemountaincoffee40th/
• UCC Directly Managed Farms: https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/estate/
• UCC's Sustainability: https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/csr/

*1 Jamaica Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (JACRA)
An agency of the Jamaican Ministry of Industry, it regulates and promotes the quality preservation and fair trade environment for agricultural products cultivated in Jamaica.