Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes)

Last week on Wednesday we boarded the Coast Starlight Amtrak in Sacramento and rode to Seattle for a week. The train was lots of fun, although I found it hard to sleep with all the stops. The kids didn’t mind at all, though, and we loved seeing the views. The best part was going through the Cascades in Oregon and along the Sound in Washington. There were even guides in the observation car to tell you what you were seeing.

I didn’t love the gum wall, but the company was good.

We went to Seattle to visit Andrew. He is in the Navy and stationed outside of Seattle–so we got to spend the weekend together in the city. We spent most of our time eating good food, trying good coffee (and some not so good), and walking around. The kids loved taking the ferry boats, especially when we drove on in our rental car.

This week we are featuring our Sulawesi Toraja, formerly known as Celebes. Celebes was the Dutch name for the island of Sulawesi, so the two names refer to the same place. Toraja is a group of indigenous people in south Sulawesi, where coffee is grown at high elevations. The geography of this area is breathtaking, and the villages have a unique boat-like architecture.

This coffee is roasted light, and it has been a favorite of our customers for many years. It roasts beautifully and tastes of sweet toffee with a nutty finish. It is full bodied and rich. If you enjoy other Indonesian beans, this is sure to be a favorite.

I can’t send this e-mail without mentioning that today is the birthday of one of my favorite people: Trace Fike. He is our roaster extraordinaire, and he’s been working here for over thirty years (yes, he started young). He can roast coffee, fix espresso machines and coffee makers, manage the money and talk to the customers all with a smile on his face. Besides all that he takes care of his family, and I’m proud to call him my best friend–and my husband. Thanks for another great year babe!

You can try a cup of this Sulawesi on us with the code gum wall* this week. This was not one of my favorite sights, but now I can say I’ve seen it. We were out of town for the worst of the Lowell Fire, but we kept updated from afar via Yubanet. A big thanks to them for the information, and an even bigger thanks to all the firefighters who kept our homes safe. We appreciate you.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Sulawesi Toraja (Celebes). Code expires on 8.06.15. 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.