The Revival of Jamaica’s Conastadle Blue Mountain Farm

Ever wondered how a long-lost Jamaican coffee estate from the early 1800s made its way back onto the global specialty coffee map? The story of Conastadle isn’t just about reviving an old name — it’s about reactivating a forgotten piece of Blue Mountain heritage with real fruit, real processing, and a modern family-run supply chain.

In short: The defunct 19th-century Conastadle coffee farm has been revived not by replanting its original trees, but by sourcing fresh coffee cherries from nearby farms, processing them at the B.M.C.P factory, and marketing the resulting Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 coffee exclusively through Japan’s ATAKA Trading. The Sharpe family — Florence, Richard, and Jason — now own the brand identity and supply chain.

What Was the Original Conastadle Estate?

The Conastadle coffee farm operated between 1801 and 1842 in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. From 1801 to 1825, it was owned by Colin McClarty, then by his son Alexander McClarty until 1825. From 1825 to 1842, the third owner, Alexander Campbell, managed the estate. After 1842, the farm disappeared from historical records — no further documentation exists, and only ruins of an old coffee mill remain on the site.

How Was the Conastadle Brand Revived?

The modern Conastadle brand is the result of efforts by the Sharpe family’s coffee trading business. Florence Sharpe (the father), along with sons Richard and Jason, source freshly picked coffee cherries from farms located near the historical Conastadle site. These cherries are processed, milled, and prepared for export at the B.M.C.P factory — a facility in which Japan’s ATAKA Trading has also invested. Though the original farm no longer grows coffee, the brand uses the historic name for coffee produced in the region and processed to meet Jamaica Blue Mountain standards.

The final product is a certified Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 coffee, sold exclusively by ATAKA Trading in Japan. In other words, Conastadle today refers not to the original estate, but to a trademarked coffee brand backed by active farm sourcing and factory processing.

Where Is Conastadle Located in the Blue Mountains?

The original Conastadle farm was situated in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, a region known for its ideal coffee-growing conditions. The area features high elevations — reaching up to 2,256 meters — consistent cloud cover, rich volcanic soils, and a stable climate with even rainfall. Although the original Conastadle property is no longer active, the revived brand draws on nearby farms within the same geographical zone recognized for producing authentic Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee.

Today, visitors to the area can still see remnants of the original coffee mill structures linked to the Conastadle estate, serving as a physical link to the region’s 19th-century coffee legacy.

Who Owns the Conastadle Brand Today?

The Conastadle brand is owned and managed by the Sharpe family of Jamaica: Florence Sharpe (father), Richard Sharpe (eldest son), and Jason Sharpe (younger son). They oversee the sourcing of coffee cherries from farms near the former Conastadle estate, coordinate processing at the B.M.C.P factory, and work with Japan’s ATAKA Trading, which holds an exclusive buying agreement. The Sharpe family effectively resurrected the Conastadle name by linking historical geography with modern production and export infrastructure.

How Is Modern Conastadle Coffee Produced?

Modern Conastadle coffee is not grown on the original estate, which has been defunct since 1842. Instead, the Sharpe family sources fresh coffee cherries from nearby farms in the same Blue Mountain region. These cherries are delivered to the B.M.C.P factory — a processing facility involved in milling, fermenting, drying, and preparing green coffee for export. The factory follows protocols required for Jamaica Blue Mountain certification. ATAKA Trading, a Japanese firm, has invested in this facility and holds exclusive rights to purchase the resulting Conastadle-branded Blue Mountain No.1 coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the original Conastadle coffee farm still operating?

No. The original Conastadle coffee farm operated from 1801 to 1842 under three generations of ownership (Colin McClarty, Alexander McClarty, and Alexander Campbell). After 1842, there is no further historical record of the farm, and it is considered defunct. Today, only ruins of the old coffee mill remain.

Where is the Conastadle coffee farm located?

The original Conastadle farm was located in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, a high-elevation region known for producing Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee. The exact site is no longer active, but nearby farms now supply cherries for the revived Conastadle brand.

Who produces the coffee sold under the Conastadle brand today?

The coffee sold as Conastadle is produced by the Sharpe family (Florence, Richard, and Jason) through their coffee trading business. They source cherries from farms near the historical Conastadle location, process them at the B.M.C.P factory, and export them exclusively via ATAKA Trading in Japan.

Is Conastadle coffee the same as other Jamaica Blue Mountain coffees?

Yes — it is certified as Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1, meaning it meets the same strict standards for origin, altitude, bean size, and defect rates. However, it comes from farms near (not on) the original Conastadle estate, and is processed through the B.M.C.P factory.

Can I buy Conastadle coffee outside of Japan?

The Conastadle brand is exclusively imported and sold by ATAKA Trading in Japan. It may be available through select international partners or specialty importers linked to ATAKA’s distribution network, but it is not widely available globally under that specific name.

What happened to the original Conastadle estate after 1842?

After 1842, the Conastadle estate vanished from historical records. No further ownership, production, or documentation exists, and the land is no longer associated with active coffee cultivation under that name.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Blue Mountain Fans

FrontStreet Coffee’s Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 offers the balanced, refined profile you’d expect from the region: creamy textures, hints of nuts and caramel, and a clean, low-acidity cup. Sourced from certified estates and processed to strict Blue Mountain standards, it’s roasted to highlight those hallmark traits. For those curious about the broader Blue Mountain experience, this is as authentic as it gets outside Jamaica. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.