Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes Kalossi)
Did you all enjoy your long weekend? Independence Day weekend always feels like the height of summer to me, no matter what the calendar says. It might not be the longest day, but we did celebrate with a traditional barbecue, complete with corn-on-the-cob and watermelon. Our local parade was in Nevada City this year, straight down Broad Street, and the festivities end with fireworks at the fairgrounds after dark. This year was especially nice because it was a new moon, and thus fully dark to appreciate the spectacle.
Pitching in All Stars
We spent most of our weekend at historic Chantry Field, in Newcastle, watching All Stars baseball. Jack’s team lost on Tuesday night and were eliminated from the tournament, but the boys played well, and it was a joy to watch. All of their games were close enough that it felt dramatic–at least to the parents watching. I think I spent most of the games pacing š
Our coffee this week has been a favorite for many years. It comes from the island of Sulawesi, a starfish shaped part of the Indonesian archipelago. We have a giant map of the world over near our roasting area, and this is an island we have shown people many times. It’s well-known in the coffee world, but outside of that most people have not heard of it.
It’s amazing the geography and geology that you can learn while following the route of your morning coffee. Back when Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch, they planted coffee seedlings in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Indonesia is one of the earliest exporters of coffee, outside of its Ethiopian/Arabian origins. This Sulawesi in particular is named for the indigenous people, the Toraja.
The Toraja are known for their elaborate, boat-like homes, and their extensive rituals surrounding death. National Geographic recently ran an article depicting the Toraja funerals, and the accompanying photographs are amazing. Their culture is very different than the typical western view of death. It’s also a region of extreme mountains, perfect for growing quality arabica coffee.
This Sulawesi is roasted light, and you can taste the full-bodied goodness in the cup. Indonesian coffees are known for their low acidity and full flavor, and this is no exception. It has sweet cacao nib tones that linger as you drink. You can try a cup on us with the code July days* this week.
Two more quick points: the header picture is from a trip we took up to Lake Tahoe last Wednesday afternoon. We watched the sun set on the lake and the kids dipped their toes in the water. It was a relaxing end of the day. And secondly, this coffee has been called by two names: Sulawesi Toraja and Celebes Kalossi. Celebes is the older name for Sulawesi, and Kalossi is a town through which most Toraja coffee is exported. So both are correct. Enjoy your July weekend, and drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike
*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes Kalossi). Code expires on 7.14.16. 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.