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TGIF! The Blue Mountain Coffee Festival Starts Today!

by Brand JamaicaWhat's Hot

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The 2nd annual Blue Mountain Coffee Festival starts today! Blue Mountain Coffee has the reputation of being one of the most expensive and sought-after coffees in the world over the past few decades.

This event hopes to attract tourists and international coffee buyers, as well as create awareness of the rapidly growing coffee culture amongst us as local consumers.

Friday, March 1st – Trade Day

The Festival kicks off today with a networking and learning experience for farmers allowing them to showcase their coffee and coffee byproducts.

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Saturday, March 2nd – Festival Marketplace

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Last year’s view from Newcastle at the 1st staging of the Marketplace at the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival

After you finish with Suga Lifestyle’s Nutrition session tomorrow, the Festival Marketplace in Newcastle will be buzzing with activity. You can then browse and purchase coffee to put in your protein shakes each morning!

There will be coffee galore, coffee byproducts and live demos if you are a barista at home, as well as live musical entertainment and crafts on showcase from local artisans. You would also learn about coffee related tours.

Festival Marketplace Ticket costs: $1500 (Adults); $500 (Children 2-12 years and students with ID)

***Complimentary round trip Shuttle Services will be provided from UTECH Library Car Park to Newcastle starting at 9am***

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If you would like to make a weekend of it, there are activities on Sunday too!

Sunday, March 3 – The Culinary Trail (Reservation Only)

There will be a Coffee-themed Brunch at Strawberry Hill and other eateries along the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Trail should have a signature Blue Mountain Coffee infused dish on their menu that day.

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Enjoy!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Promo, follow Suga Lifestyle Online, on Instagram (@sugalifestyle), Twitter (@sugalifestyleja) or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

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Jamaican Breakfast in the Mountains

by Restaurant Reviews & Ratings

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Suga’s Ratings for EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Date and time of visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 10:30am

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Decor: ★★★★★

Comfort: ★★★★★

Service: ★★★★☆

Speed: ★★★☆☆

Food quality: ★★★★☆

Serving amount: ★★★★☆

Plating: ★★★☆☆

Value for $: ★★★★☆

SuGa Endorsement: ★★★★☆

Comments:

Exquisite ambience and scenic view with hummingbirds in full flight while you wait for your food made fresh to order.  Menu items were quite reasonable in cost. My husband and I had the Jamaican breakfast that included Ackee and saltfish, along with sides of our choice. I thought that they needed more filling in their Fritters, but their Ackee and other sides such as boiled banana were spot on.

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Ackee and Saltfish with Fritters and Fried Dumpling ($900JMD+12.5% serv. charge)

The father-daughter duo who run EITS, Michael and Robyn Fox, were hospitable, making us feel right at home.

Their high standard as a must-stop on the Blue Mountain culinary trail has been kept. Suga snaps for EITS.

EITS Cafe at Mount Edge Guesthouse

Ph#: 876-944-8974

Address: 17 Mile Post, Newcastle. St. Andrew Jamaica

Stay tuned for 2 spots that have gone downhill on the Blue Mountain Culinary trail for Suga Bears next week!

By: Gabrielle Burgess

If you liked this Review, follow Suga Lifestyle or like the Suga Lifestyle Facebook page.

 

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Two Spots Fail for Suga on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail

by Restaurant Reviews & RatingsWhat's Hot

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Suga’s Ratings for Crystal Edge Restaurant

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★☆☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★★☆☆

Speed: ★★★★☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments: I went specifically for the Oxtail, but the quality has fallen off majorly. It lacked seasoning and did not slide off the bone this time, but still had good texture. Diners at another table were expressing the same sentiment. The taste of Coffee was lost in the Coffee infused Chicken. Both dishes in chipped plates were served with Steamed Vegetables and Rice and Peas, but were swimming in gravy. Mediocre service and food with a breathtaking view.

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Oxtail from Crystal Edge, Irish Town
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Crystal Edge’s Coffee Infused Chicken

Suga’s Ratings for Café Blue

Date & Time of Visit: Sunday, April 1, 2018 at 1:00pm.

No. of diners: 2

NB. Ratings fill 5 stars maximum

Parking: ★☆☆☆☆

Ambience: ★★★★★

Décor: ★★★★☆

Comfort: ★★★★☆

Service: ★★☆☆☆

Speed: ★★☆☆☆

Value for $: ★★★☆☆

Suga Endorsement: ★★★☆☆

Comments:  Staff was pleasant but inattentive. Crystal Edge’s staff were seen more around that side than the Café Blue waitresses. Desserts were dry. We had the Chocolate Mocha Cake and Strawberry Cheesecake.

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Strawberry Cheesecake from Café Blue, Irish Town

For such a long commute, disappointing experience thankfully overshadowed by the picturesque view of the Blue Mountains with cool, fresh air and the taste of rich, authentic Blue Mountain Coffee.

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Cappuccino from Cafe Blue, Irish Town

After the boost of the Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Festival 1 week before my visit, I expected more from Crystal Edge and Café Blue. Hope they get back on track soon. Not worth the drive.

Did You Know?

Strawberry Hill is now charging $2500JMD at the gate to include a welcome drink if you do not have a booking or reservation.

I was passing by for a drink in between Breakfast and Lunch. So for persons like myself and others who happen to be nearby and spontaneously choose to stop and may end up staying for Lunch etc., I think an entry fee is ridiculous. It would be similar if The Jamaica Pegasus would charge you to enter.

Stay tuned next week to see where is worth the drive on the Blue Mountain Culinary Trail!

Crystal Edge Restaurant

Location: Irish Town, St. Andrew

Ph: 876-944-8053

Opening Hours: Tues. – Sun. @ 9am – 7pm

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Café Blue, Irish Town

Ph: 876-944-8918

Opening Hours: Mon. – Fri @ 8:30am-4:30pm

By: Gabrielle Burgess

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