Maui Grown

I spent two days this week in the snow with my fifth grade son. The first day he and his classmates (and about a dozen parents) worked all day to build six igloos. It took serious perseverance as the hours passed and the shovels got heavier–or our arms grew fatigued. Even the parents were pretty worn out by the end of the day. It was all worth it though, as all twenty-two kids chose to sleep in their own handiwork. Their excitement and pride the next morning was fun to see.

Posing in the doorway for a photo

I was most impressed by how the kids worked together and had a good attitude even the second day. That day was a cross country ski trip at Royal Gorge, and the majority of the kids had never been on skis before. They began with a lesson, and after lunch we all went out skiing. There were kids who fell down over and over, and kept getting up with a smile. What an example to us all.

This week we have a coffee from a place synonymous with sun, not snow. Since coffee grows best around the equator, the mountainous farms that we often write about are never snow covered. Our coffee coffee this week comes from Maui, land of beaches and tourists–but also coffee. This farm is the “largest individually operated coffee grower in the U.S.” according to their website here.

They are located on the slopes above Lahaina, on the far western side of Maui. They grow their coffee in hedges, and the views from between the rows are spectacular. This 100% Maui grown coffee is a particular variety of arabica called Caturra Yellow. Unlike most coffee cherries, this Caturra ripens to a deep yellow, instead of the more common red. Caturra tends to be a milder bean, with less acidity, and this one is especially sweet.

You can try this bean on us this week with the code igloo success*. Tomorrow is the downtown Foothills Celebration, a local food and wine tasting. It goes from 1-4 pm, rain or shine, so come on down. It’s always a fun event, and this year they’ve added a Waiter’s Race from 2-3 pm. Whatever you do this weekend, drink good coffee. Cheers!
–Holly Fike

*Code good for one free 12 ounce cup of Maui Grown coffee. Code expires on 3.10.16. 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.