The Revival of Conastale Estate: Jamaica's Lost Coffee Legacy

You’ve heard of Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee—but what about Conastale Estate? This once-prominent coffee producer from the early 1800s vanished from records by 1842, leaving behind only ruins of its old grinding mill. Yet today, premium coffee drinkers can still buy coffee under the Conastale name. How did this forgotten estate make a comeback?

The modern Conastale coffee brand isn’t a rediscovered old plantation, but a carefully reconstructed one: Japanese importers partnered with Jamaican farmers near the original Conastale site, sourcing fresh coffee cherries processed at the historic B.M.C.P factory. The final product? Exclusive Blue Mountain No.1 beans sold only through Japanese trader ATAKA.

A Forgotten Estate with Deep Roots

The original Conastale Estate operated between 1801 and 1842. For the first 24 years (1801–1825), it was owned by Colin McClarty, who passed it to his son Alexander McClarty until 1825. Control then shifted to a third-generation owner, Alexander Campbell, who managed it until 1842—after which the estate disappeared from historical records.

What Remains Today

All that physically remains of the original Conastale Estate is the abandoned building of its former coffee grinding mill. There are no active records of the estate operating post-1842, making its legacy largely historical—until its recent commercial revival.

The Modern Revival

The brand Conastale was brought back to life not by archaeologists, but by the Shap family’s coffee trading company. Florence Shap (father), Richard Shap (eldest son), and Jason Shap (younger son) source freshly picked coffee cherries from farms located near the original Conastale Estate. These cherries are processed, ground, and barrelled at the B.M.C.P factory, which is partly funded by Japanese trading firm ATAKA Tsusho. The end product is a Blue Mountain No.1 coffee exclusive to ATAKA, not a resurrection of the original estate’s operations, but a modern brand using the historic Conastale name.

The Coffee Today

Conastale coffee today refers to Blue Mountain No.1 beans produced under this revived brand. The beans are grown by nearby farms, processed at the historic B.M.C.P factory, and imported exclusively to Japan by ATAKA. The Shap family manages the sourcing and initial processing, ensuring the coffee is connected to the region’s heritage—even if not from the original estate’s land.

Visual History

While the original Conastale Estate no longer operates, its legacy lives on visually through remnants like the old grinding mill on Conastale Hill and maps showing its location in the Blue Mountains. A photo also remains of the current Shap family, who now represent the Conastale brand in the coffee trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was the original Conastale Estate rediscovered?

No, the original Conastale Estate (1801–1842) was not rediscovered. It disappeared from historical records after 1842. The modern “Conastale” coffee brand is a revival using the historic name, not a continuation of the original estate’s operations.

Who owns the Conastale coffee brand today?

The modern Conastale coffee brand is owned and imported exclusively by Japanese trading company ATAKA Tsusho. It is not owned by the original estate owners, as the estate ceased operations in 1842.

Where is the coffee in Conastale brand beans grown?

The coffee sourced for the Conastale brand is grown by farms located near the original Conastale Estate site. It is not from the original estate land, as that no longer produces coffee under that name.

How is Conastale coffee processed?

Coffee cherries for the Conastale brand are processed, ground, and barrelled at the historic B.M.C.P factory. This factory is partially funded by Japanese importer ATAKA, ensuring a connection between the modern product and the estate’s heritage location.

Is Conastale coffee the same as Jamaica Blue Mountain?

Conastale coffee is classified as Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1. It is grown in the same region, but it is a revived brand name, not the product of the original 19th-century Conastale Estate.

Who are the people behind the modern Conastale brand?

The modern Conastale brand is managed by the Shap family: Florence Shap (father), Richard Shap (eldest son), and Jason Shap (younger son). They source the coffee cherries and oversee production before export to Japan.

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