I feel that I must comment on this article considering my trade. While Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee has successfully reached the pinnacle of commodity coffee pricing the success is not directly related to the name. The position that JBM coffee enjoys is largely due to exhaustive quality control, brand management and consistent pursuit of these aforesaid traits. Kenya has moved down the same path as Haiti and other origins in creating a "brand" that incorporates the Blue Mountain monicker. As a large retailer of coffee I am disturbed by this trend. Imagine how this must seem to the coffee consumer world wide. They have never heard of Kenyan Blue Mountain Coffee nor have they ever heard of Haitian Blue Mountain Coffee - thus are less likely to consumer said coffees. They have however heard of Kenya AA by and large and when notified that Haitian coffees are produced on small farms from heirloom Arabic plants - they are very likely to purchase. My firm sells a significant volume of exceptional Kenya AA coffees based largely on the reputation of the coffee. While I am not prone to offer advice I will offer a two pieces of advice. Develop proprietary coffee brands based on the origin and maintain strict quality control on all specialty grade coffees. Kenya among other coffee producing countries can garner higher prices for their coffees and effectively increase the wealth and well being of their farmers. This however will take diligence and patience - there are no short cuts to success.

Warm Regards, Jerry Delince Managing Partner at Jamaica Blue Mountain Traders, LLC. (USA) www.jamaicabluemountaincoffee.com