| On the southern slopes of the Jamaican Blue | | | | Jamaican coffee, and in particular Blue Mountain |
| Mountains reside several million tons of gypsum. Used | | | | coffee enjoys a premium price point and has status |
| primarily in cement production and building materials, | | | | as one of the most expensive coffees in the world. |
| gypsum is an extremely common mineral. Many | | | | The best part is you don't need to take an all |
| homeowners will be familiar with gypsum, as it is | | | | inclusive Jamaica vacation to try the coffee. You'll |
| used in drywall. Gypsum has many other uses, | | | | pay a hefty price, but you can even order this mild |
| including lawn fertilizer, blackboard chalk, and as a | | | | roast over the internet and have it shipped around |
| coagulant for tofu. Since it is also used to create | | | | the world right to your door. |
| cement, some of Jamaica's local gypsum no doubt | | | | Of course, Jamaica was not always Jamaica. |
| finds its way into one of the many all inclusive | | | | Christopher Columbus actually landed on the island in |
| resorts in Jamaica. Just like some of the other | | | | 1494 and claimed the land for Spain. He named the |
| industries in Jamaica, gypsum mining is not very | | | | island Santiago. The inhabitants of the island at the |
| exciting, and certainly doesn't get your pulse up like | | | | time, the Arawak natives, were exterminated by the |
| some of the premier clubs around the island. But it is | | | | Spanish, and the island came under Spanish rule. This |
| also industry like this that creates the backbone for | | | | lasted until 1655, when British forces seized control of |
| Jamaica, and helps create jobs for its inhabitants and | | | | the island. Needing a source of labor for sugar and |
| encourages trade among other countries. | | | | coffee cultivation, the British brought African slaves |
| While agriculture is not as large in Jamaica as in some | | | | to Jamaica. Despite numerous slave rebellions and |
| other countries, it does supply a good deal of jobs. | | | | uprisings, this period lasted for nearly 150 years, until |
| Workers are needed for the cultivation of a wide | | | | the abolition of slavery in 1834. For those that visit |
| variety of crops. These crops include pumpkins, | | | | Jamaica for a Caribbean beach wedding, it's hard to |
| carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, papaya, | | | | believe that at one time this beautiful country |
| pineapple, watermelon, corn, rice, yams, potatoes, | | | | participated in the slave trade. Thankfully those days |
| and plantains. Sugar is the leading export crop, and a | | | | are long past, and all that remains are good times, |
| good deal of coffee and cocoa are also produced. | | | | good food, and good people. |