Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona

I know not everybody loves tomatoes, but we sure do in my family. And there’s nothing better than fresh off the vine. The header picture was taken in the garden yesterday, and that’s the scene all over our tomato beds: all the stages right next to each other, including the empty stem where one was picked yesterday. My kids also have the fun of a garden at school, which was featured in our local paper today, here. My daughter was excited to be on the front page.

Delighted about her bugs

I spent the day today on fieldwork with my daughter’s class. They searched for “bugs and slugs” in one of our local parks, and had a great time being observers. It was such beautiful weather outside–only in the 80’s–that I think they could have stayed all day. I know that I enjoyed it.

This week we have a fun coffee comparison for you. We wanted to show you the difference in two coffees from the same country. If you’ll recall, last week we featured our Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan Huehuetenango, which was from western highlands of Guatemala. This week we are showcasing our Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona, also from the highlands, but this time in the south of the country.

This Guatemalan comes from Antigua, which is such a well known coffee growing region that it is a protected designation, rather like champagne in France. By comparing these two coffees, you see the difference that a growing region can make.  This week’s beans come from two farms, both owned by Luis Pedro Zelaya: Bella Vista and Hacienda Carmona.

Luis Pedro Zelaya comes from a line of coffee farmers, and he is able to call upon over 100 years of family experience. At the same time, he has established innovative processing and drying techniques to improve the quality of his coffee. You can read more about his operation on the Royal Coffee blog here. Royal Coffee is our broker, and they have been carrying this Bella Carmona for years.

In the cup these two coffees have more similarities than differences, but we thought it would be interesting to point out the differences. The Huehuetenango has more body, and more of a chocolate flavor. The Bella Carmona has a bit more acidity and fruity tones. This week you can try the two side by side (ask for a 4 ounce cup) with the code garden grown*. And enjoy your final few days of August: September is just around the corner.
–Holly Fike

*Code good for a free 4 ounce cup of Fair Trade Organic Guatemalan Huehuetenango and a free 4 oz cup of Guatemala Antigua Bella Carmona. Code expires on 9.1.16. 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.