Coffee is the third most consumed beverage in the world, following water and tea. Jamaica’s most popular brand of coffee originates from the Blue and John-crow Mountains, which border Portland, St. Andrew, and St. Thomas. Growing up in Gravel Ground, Clarendon, media personality Debbie Bissoon recalls that her childhood was intertwined with the aroma of roasted coffee beans. “Oh yes! Growing up in Gravel Ground, Clarendon, I watched my traditional Indian grandmother roast and then grind her beans by hand with a mortar and pestle made from wood, and I’d drink whatever she left in the cup,” Debbie recalls with a laugh.
Even in her later years, Bernice Bissoon, who only ate from her farm, couldn’t go without her daily cup of self-made brew. “She could never be without her coffee, even in her late 80s; her cup of coffee was a must,” Debbie reminisces about her grandmother.
The Jamaica Tourist Board has selected Debbie, now a coffee lover herself, to infuse her distinct blend of personality, mixed with her family’s rich coffee-drinking heritage, as the host for this year’s Blue Mountain Coffee Festival on March 2nd.
Coffee festivals are not unique to Jamaica; across Europe and the continent of Africa, the beverage is celebrated at the London Coffee Festival, Glasgow Coffee Festival, Birmingham Coffee Festival, Manchester Coffee Festival, Le Paris Café Festival, Melbourne International Coffee Expo, and Cape Town Coffee Festival.
Debbie tells WMV in this exclusive interview that she prefers locally made coffee-infused beauty and skincare lines—one notable modern trend in the coffee market. Like Bissoon, 2024 coffee consumers are seeking unique and high-quality coffee experiences while exploring various flavor profiles per Weavers Coffee and Tea Magazine.
On a typical Saturday, the morning television host’s go-to brew is either black coffee or coffee with a splash of condensed milk. “Saturday morning before Smile Jamaica, my Smile team knows I’m usually Black coffee or coffee with a little condensed milk,” she shares. Occasionally, she indulges in coffee with a “little spirit,” always consumed responsibly, she adds.
On of the most in-demand live music show hosts from Jamaica, the vivacious media queen produces her own TV series titled Farm Chicks and on one of the episodes she and her production crew went into the hills of Freetown to showcase coffee growing in the Blue Mountains. Debbie says she excited about this year’s event as she hopes to introduce exciting additions that will elevate the festival experience that will be headlined by songbird Alaine.
What do you hope attendees will take away from their experience at the festival?
I hope that attendees will continue to appreciate the value, versatility, and delicacy of the coffee bean. During Farm Chicks season 1, we went into the hills of Blue Mountain to Freetown Woodford with the Freetown Farmers group, and I walked away with a different level of respect and appreciation for our farmers and their process. Coffee is their livelihood, and from this, they have employed many persons from their community. Many would not know that a coffee plant can take years to grow and a Bora fly can ruin a whole crop if not sprayed in good time. I’ve seen folks use coffee for much more than a hot or cold beverage; it has been used in baked recipes, beauty products, cleaning products, candles, dyes, and the finest liquors. But there is still a whole host of things we have not even thought of yet. There is so much to discover from one single bean. Maybe it’s the conditions under which they are grown, and the fact that our beans are handpicked with care from our people. It’s really a Jamaican energy.
How important is it for you to showcase Jamaican culture and heritage through events like the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival?
Showcasing Jamaican culture and heritage, especially through events like the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, is incredibly important to me. It’s an opportunity to celebrate and share the unique aspects of Jamaica’s culture that make us proud to be Jamaican. It’s what we are known for. I remember visiting Seoul, South Korea, where they are big on coffee, and there it was, a Jamaican coffee shop! Prouder than me you couldn’t find!
What sets the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival apart from other coffee festivals around the world?
The Blue Mountain Coffee Festival stands out from any coffee festival because when you think of Jamaica, you think of Reggae, Beaches & Coffee. It’s the most authentic experience you’ll have.
What role do you see the festival playing in promoting sustainability within the coffee industry?
Sustainability within the coffee industry is a key focus because a lot of our people depend on coffee to realize their goals. Coffee has built houses, sent kids to school, helped people access health care. It has to be protected, promoted, and celebrated.
What are your personal favorite aspects of the Blue Mountain Coffee Festival, and why?
I can’t wait to see the exhibits and what we’ll discover through the ways they’ve creatively used Coffee. Interactions with the guests coming from all over Jamaica and the world, the performances on the stage because where there are live performances, you’ll find me nearby as a consumer so I’m really honored to share the stage as host.
As a Farm Chick, how do you see Jamaica further capitalizing on its indigenous coffee products?
There are markets out there ready for our products and our people’s story. The truth is our farmers work really hard, and usually, the profit is in the final products. So we still have work to do to strengthen our industry and that’s why the festival is geared to doing! See you there!!!
