Costa Rican Tarrazu Don Oscar

Happy 2016 to all of you! I know, the month is already half over, but our email newsletter is just starting up again. Christmas and New Years both fell on a Friday, and then last week Trace and I were out of town. We spent a rainy weekend at the coast and it was completely relaxing. There’s nothing like the sound and sight of the ocean for instilling calm–for me anyway.

At the store all the decorations are put away, the stacks of holiday items are gone, and we’re back to business as usual. We even served our last eggnog latte this week–if that’s your favorite, there’s only nine and a half more months until November. 2015 was a great year, and we appreciate all of you who helped it to be joyful and prosperous for us. Thank you.

This week we have a micro lot Costa Rican Tarrazu for you to sample. Tarrazu is famous for specialty coffees with a complex aroma and a full body. It has perfect high altitude volcanic soil that grows high density, low yield coffee. Coffee drives the economy in Tarrazu, although the scenic area helps tourism too.

This Costa Rican comes from the El Pedregal farm, which means large stones, or scree. Since coffee grows well in rocky, volcanic soil, the name makes sense. The farm is owned by Alejandro Solis, and his family, and they have built a mill, Don Oscar, where their coffee is processed. That way they control the quality from the seed to the sack.

You first notice the aroma of this coffee, before you ever sip it. It smells sweet and nutty and draws you in. The taste does not disappoint: it is as creamy and full-bodied as the scent. I could drink this all day, and it would be especially good paired with a chocolate dessert.

You can sample a cup of this Costa Rican on us this week with the code grey ocean*. I hope that you are all enjoying this new year, open to possibility. May it surpass your expectations and may you find good coffee to drink. Enjoy!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Costa Rican Tarrazu Don Oscar. Code expires on 1.21.16. 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.