Organic Wild Forest Java

This week we have family in town to celebrate the two youngsters in the header picture: Chuck and Caroline Fike. As of last week, they have been married for 60 years. Caroline started Carolines Coffee Roasters in 1982, but that is only one of many adventures that she and Chuck have experienced. They were high school sweethearts, who met and married in Porterville, California. In the last 60 years they’ve lived all over this state, before settling in Nevada County 40 years ago.

Stop in tomorrow for a chance to win this Around the World Sampler

They raised four boys, who will all be around to toast them tomorrow. There are 15 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, so their legacy continues. These two are an inspiration to all of us who know them. Despite all they have been through, including starting their marriage in backcountry ranger stations, and moving countless times with the Forest Service, their romance has endured. They treat one another with respect and demonstrate a love we can all only hope to achieve.

I am proud to be their daughter-in-law and their friend. Congratulations Chuck and Caroline! We all look forward to feasting with you tomorrow.

As we prepare for a party, our day will begin with good coffee, another legacy from this remarkable couple. Good coffee was always a priority of theirs, even if they were traveling through the wilderness on mules, or stationed at the first helitack camp. This week we have an Organic Java for you to try.

This is Rainforest Alliance certified, which you can read more about here. That means that it is grown in the shade of other trees and crops. It is from Taman Dadar, a name given by the local farmers that means “flower garden.” Coffee grown in a flower garden sounds lovely, doesn’t it? Coffee bushes have a white flower with a beautiful aroma that would certainly add to the landscape.

Java is an Indonesian island where coffee was first cultivated by the Dutch in the 1600’s. Most of the older stock has been wiped out by coffee leaf rust, but quality coffee has been replanted, and it thrives in the Java climate. These beans come from the eastern part of the island, on the Ijen Plateau. We’ve roasted them light, and you can taste the typical Indonesian flavors: earthy, nutty, with a medium to full body.

You can try a cup of this Organic Java on us this week with the code 60 years. Tomorrow is the Downtown Holiday Open House from 10 am – 5 pm, and there will be holiday festivities and giveways all over Grass Valley. We will be giving away one of our new Around the World samplers (stop in to enter). This is a gift box with six different coffees, and you can read more about it on our website here. Whatever you do this weekend, and especially if it rains again, drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Organic Wild Forest Java. Code expires on 11.19.15. 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.