There is a huge demand for Blue Mountain Jamaican Coffee, and a limited supply.

To make matters worse, over 90% of the crop each year goes to Japan and Europe, leaving the last 10% for the whole of North America.

As a result, genuine, 100% Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee is sometimes not available, at any price.

At the same time, North Americans are clamoring for the beans, because Blue Mountain coffee has been so successfully marketed. That's not to say that it isn't a good coffee. It is. But does it live up to the marketing hype, when compared other great coffee from around the world? That is a matter of opinion and personal taste.

Because of the high demand for Blue Mountain coffee, and because it commands prices in the region of $40 a pound, there are plenty of unscrupulous sellers who will be happy to sell what appears to be the real thing, but is not.

In fact, it's probably true to say that of all the coffees you can buy, Blue Mountain is the one that is subject to the sneakiest and most suspect labeling.

Quite often the label and description will give you the impression you are buying 100% Blue Mountain, while that's not what's in the bag at all.

Sometimes the bag will contain a mix, or blend of regional coffees, with only a small proportion of the real thing. At other times the beans will be mixed in with coffee from other countries altogether.

There is no doubt that Blue Mountain Jamaican is a wonderful coffee. But if you want to be absolutely sure you are buying the real thing, read the label carefully. Make sure it is 100% Blue Mountain Jamaican.

Also, look for a certification logo from the Jamaican Coffee Industry Board.