Fair Trade Organic Timor
The cute boy in his Grandpa’s arms in the header photo turned 23 yesterday, and next week he leaves for the Navy. Andrew has worked here off and on since he was young (but maybe a bit older than the above picture), most recently as our cook for the last four months. He’s a good cook, and great fun to have around, and we will miss him. Best of luck Andrew, and we’ll send you coffee whenever you like!
We’re proud of you Andrew.
This week our coffee of the week is our Fair Trade Organic Timor. Last time we featured this bean, I wrote about how East Timor is one of the world’s newest countries, having been established in 2002. East Timor was a Portuguese colony and coffee has been grown there for hundreds of years. Much of the coffee in East Timor was wiped out from coffee leaf rust (see the article here), and most of their current coffee is a rust-resistant varietal, hibrido de Timor.
These beans come from high altitude small farms in Timor, where due to foreign aid this fair trade cooperative was established in 2001. Many farmers are growing crops at the subsistence level, so coffee as a cash crop is a valuable commodity. This is a washed Arabica bean, processed in the capital city of Dili.
When Trace roasted this coffee yesterday, it was a very consistent and clean bean. It roasted beautifully, and had a distinct parchment line at the first crack, more like many Central American coffees than other Indonesian beans. The taste is also brighter, without the earthy flavors that tend to be a signature of coffees from this region. It has a raisin tanginess* as you first sip, and then lingering almond tones at the finish.
I enjoyed drinking this Timor this morning while the world awoke and the birds commenced their early greeting. I tasted it by the flickering candlelight that sends twinkling shadows around my room. I hope that your day started with a similar sense of peace–and good coffee. This week I’ll be drinking to the young man pictured on this page. Here’s to you Andrew Fike. Cheers!
–Holly Fike
*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Timor. Code expires on 3.20.14. Limit one free cup per customer please. Valid only at Carolines Coffee Roasters, 128 S. Auburn Street, Grass Valley, CA. Code/Offer has no cash value.